Claritin-D Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Claritin-D Tablet contains loratadine and pseudoephedrine sulfate, an antihistamine and decongestant combination used to relieve allergy and cold symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It works by blocking histamine to reduce allergic inflammation while shrinking swollen nasal blood vessels to ease congestion. It is available as an extended-release tablet and is meant for short-term use until symptoms go away.

What is Claritin-D Tablet

Claritin-D is a combination medicine with two ingredients: loratadine, which is an antihistamine, and pseudoephedrine, which is a decongestant. It is used to relieve allergy and cold symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion.

Claritin-D Tablet uses

• Temporarily relieves sneezing, itchy watery eyes, runny nose, and itching of the nose or throat due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies
• Temporarily relieves nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever, or other upper respiratory allergies
• Reduces swelling of nasal passages
• Temporarily relieves sinus congestion and pressure
• Temporarily restores freer breathing through the nose

Benefits of Claritin-D Tablet

• Relieves allergy symptoms
• Reduces nasal congestion
• Helps with sneezing and runny nose
• Reduces itchy or watery eyes
• Combines an antihistamine with a decongestant

How Claritin-D Tablet works

Claritin-D combines two medicines that work together. Loratadine is an antihistamine that blocks a body chemical called histamine, which lowers inflammation caused by allergies. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks swollen blood vessels in the nose, which relieves sinus pressure and congestion.

Claritin-D Tablet dosage

Do not divide, crush, chew, or dissolve the tablet — swallow it whole. Take with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food; taking it with food may help if it upsets your stomach. Children under 12 years old should only use this medicine if a doctor says it is okay, and people with liver or kidney disease should ask a doctor before use. This medicine is for short-term use until symptoms go away. Call your doctor if symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you develop a fever.

Available forms and strengths

• Extended-release tablet

Side effects of Claritin-D Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Sore throat
• Drowsiness
• Nervousness
• Trouble sleeping
• Mild dizziness

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Pounding heartbeats or fluttering in the chest
• Severe dizziness, nervousness, or restless feeling
• Signs of overdose: seizures, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, fast heartbeat, flushing, extreme sleepiness, changes in vision, irritability in children
• High blood pressure or fast heart rate: chest pain, blurry vision, headache, fatigue

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients, or if you are taking (or recently stopped taking) a prescription MAOI drug used for depression, psychiatric conditions, or Parkinson's disease.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have heart disease, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland, or liver or kidney disease.
• Do not take more than the directed amount, since taking more may cause drowsiness.
• This medicine can raise heart rate and blood pressure, even at the recommended dose. People with heart problems or high blood pressure should check with their provider before using it.
• Using more than one product that contains an antihistamine or decongestant can lead to an accidental overdose, which can be serious or life-threatening. Check other medicine labels and ask a pharmacist if unsure.
• If you are pregnant, ask a health professional before using this medicine. Do not use it without a doctor's advice.
• If you are breastfeeding, ask a health professional before using this medicine. You should not breastfeed while using it.
• If you have kidney disease, ask a doctor before use. Your doctor may need to determine if you need a different dose.
• If you have liver disease, ask a doctor before use. Your doctor may need to determine if you need a different dose.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, since it can increase the chance of drowsiness and dizziness.
• This medicine may cause blurred vision or affect your thinking and reactions. Be careful driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F)
• Protect from light and store in a dry place
• Do not use if the individual blister unit imprinted with Claritin-D 24 hour is open or torn
• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop use and ask a doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 7 days or are accompanied by a fever.
• Stop use and ask a doctor if you feel nervous, dizzy, or have trouble sleeping.
• If you think someone has taken too much of this medicine, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away.
• Stop using the medicine and call your doctor right away if you have pounding or fluttering heartbeats, severe dizziness, nervousness, or a restless feeling.
• If you get severe headaches, nosebleeds, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain while taking this medicine, stop taking it and get medical attention right away, as these can be signs of seriously high blood pressure.

Alternatives

• Loratadine alone
• Cetirizine
• Fexofenadine