Information about generic claritin
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Claritin is a drug that can be used to treat a variety of allergy symptoms, including runny, itchy nose; sneezing; and watery eyes. It works by blocking the action of histamine receptors in the body, which prevents the immune system reactions that cause allergy symptoms. Claritin is now available without a prescription, and it comes in several forms. Side effects can include headaches, drowsiness, and dry mouth.
Claritin Drug Information What Is Claritin? -----------------
Claritin® (loratadine) is an antihistamine approved to treat the following allergy symptoms: Runny nose
Sneezing Itchy or watery eyes
Itchy nose or throat. Claritin is also approved to treat itching due to hives, which may or may not be caused by allergies. The medication is available in combination with a decongestant (see Claritin-D). Although Claritin and Claritin-D® were originally prescription products, they are now available without a prescription. Compared to most non-prescription antihistamines, Claritin is much less likely to cause drowsiness. (Click Claritin Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Who Makes It? ------------- Brand-name Claritin is made by Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc. Generic versions of the drug are made by various manufacturers.
How Does It Work? ----------------- Allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to normally harmless substances that do not bother most people. This reaction is partly caused by the release of histamine from certain cells in the body. Claritin is an antihistamine, which means it blocks histamine from binding to histamine receptors and causing allergy symptoms. Since histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of allergies, blocking it can be helpful. Lots of people get nasal congestion due to allergies. However, antihistamines don't help with this particular allergy symptom (since congestion isn't caused by histamine). In order to treat congestion, it is necessary to add a nasal decongestant (such as pseudoephedrine). Claritin comes in a combination product that contains pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D), just for this purpose. Histamine is also responsible for the formation of hives (whether they are caused by allergies or not). By blocking histamine, Claritin can alleviate the itching due to hives as well.
When and How to Take Claritin ----------------------------- General considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
It comes in several forms, including tablets, Liqui-Gels®, orally disintegrating tablets, and syrup. It is usually taken by mouth once daily, although one product (Claritin 12-Hour RediTabs®) is taken twice a day. You can take it with or without food. If the medication seems to bother your stomach, try taking it with food.
Claritin RediTabs (orally disintegrating tablets) dissolve rapidly on the tongue with no need for water. They are a good option for people who have trouble swallowing tablets. Try to take Claritin at the same time each day to keep an even level in your blood.
Some people need to take it all year long, while others take it only during allergy season. For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as directed by the package labeling. Please read the label closely.
Dosing Information ------------------ The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
Your age Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so. (Click Claritin Dosage for more information.) Side Effects ------------
As with any medicine, side effects are possible. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common. Common side effects of Claritin include, but are not limited to: Headaches
Drowsiness Fatigue
Dry mouth. (Click Side Effects of Claritin to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions ----------------- Claritin can potentially interact with a few other medications (see Claritin Interactions).
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider? ------------------------------------------ You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure) Liver disease, including liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant Breastfeeding.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. (Click Claritin Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.) What If I Take an Overdose? ---------------------------
People who take too much Claritin may have overdose symptoms that could include: Drowsiness
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) Headaches
Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (known as heart palpitations) Unusual body movements or muscle contractions.
(Click Claritin Overdose for more information.) What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose? ----------------------------------
If you forget to take your Claritin dose, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose. Strengths of Claritin ---------------------
The medication comes in the following strengths and forms: Children's Claritin grape- or fruit-flavored syrup -- contains 5 mg of Claritin per teaspoonful (per 5 mL)
Children's Claritin 5 mg grape chewable tablets Claritin 10 mg RediTabs (orally disintegrating tablets)
Claritin 5 mg RediTabs (12-hour tablets) Claritin 10 mg tablets
Claritin Hives Relief 10 mg tablets (the same as the regular Claritin 10 mg tablets) Claritin 10 mg Liqui-Gel liquid-filled capsules.
Is There a Generic Version of Claritin? --------------------------------------- Currently, several different versions of the drug are licensed for sale (see Generic for Claritin).
Advertisement List of references (click here)
Children's Claritin Chewable Tablets OTC product label. Memphis, TN: Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.;2006 August. Claritin Hives Relief OTC product label. Memphis, TN: Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.;2003 November.
Claritin RediTabs OTC product label. Memphis, TN: Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.;2003 November Claritin 12-Hour RediTabs OTC product label. Memphis, TN: Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.;2006 December.
Claritin Syrup OTC product label. Memphis, TN: Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.;2005 May. Claritin Tablets OTC product label. Memphis, TN: Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.;2003 November.
Claritin Tablets package insert. Kenlinworth, NJ: Schering Corporation;2000 September. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Electronic orange book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. FDA Web site. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/ob/. Accessed September 22, 2007.
Red Book: Pharmacy's Fundamental Reference. 2007 ed. Montvale (NJ): Thomson Healthcare; 2007. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 7th ed. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2005.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Advertisement
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation Claritin Side Effects
Claritin Uses Claritin Dosage
Claritin Interactions Claritin Warnings and Precautions
Claritin and High Blood Pressure Claritin Overdose
Claritin and Pregnancy Claritin and Breastfeeding
Generic for Claritin Claritin and Alcohol
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