Over 50 million people in the US suffer from allergies due to pollen, dust, foods, and drugs. With springtime in full force, Claritin®, also known as loratadine, is a popular antihistamine that is a common household medication. Claritin® has been available on the market since 1993 and is one of the most popular antihistamines today. But is it possible for someone to overdose on Claritin®? The short answer is, yes, it is possible to overdose on Claritin®.
What Is the Generic for Claritin®?
The generic for Claritin® is loratadine. Loratadine is one of the newer second antihistamines that are non-sedating. People use it to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.
Other antihistamines like loratadine that do not usually cause drowsiness include cetirizine (Zyrtec®) and fexofenadine (Allegra®). First-generation antihistamines include chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
What Is Loratadine Used for?
Doctors usually prescribe Claritin® (loratadine) to help people suffering from springtime allergies, but the drug can also help with other types of allergies. As an antihistamine, Claritin® works by reducing the natural chemical histamine in the body, which is produced by an allergic reaction. When someone’s body begins building up histamine, they may experience itching, watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Claritin® is used to relieve these symptoms, but some people use it to also treat skin hives or itching for people with chronic skin reactions.
What Are the Side Effects of Claritin®?
Since Claritin® (loratadine) is a second-generation antihistamine, it usually does not cause drowsiness. Still, for some people sensitive to this medication, it may. Other common side effects someone may experience include:
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Nervousness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
Follow Packaging Instructions
With all over-the-counter medication, it is vital to read the instructions and follow them carefully, unless a doctor has said otherwise. This same rule applies to allergy relief medications like Claritin®. With sedating antihistamines, if someone abuses them, they can end up having seizures or hallucinations. Do not have pain relief medication if you are using an allergy relief medication that also offers pain relief. It could exceed the maximum pain relief dosing and may cause an overdose.
Who Should Not Take Claritin®?
Someone allergic to desloratadine (Clarinex) or to loratadine should not take Claritin®. People who have asthma, kidney disease, or liver disease should check with their doctor or pharmacist before taking Claritin®. Also, Claritin® can interact with some medications, so be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure loratadine will not negatively interact with your other medications.
Can My Child Have Claritin®?
Most forms of Claritin® are safe for children, but there are some forms of Claritin® that are made just for children. Claritin® for children is often flavored and is usually in syrup form. Make sure to read the label carefully before giving your child Claritin® to know how much they are able to have. If you have any questions, contact a doctor or pharmacist before giving the medicine to your child.
Can Someone Overdose on Claritin®?
Yes, someone can overdose on Claritin® (loratadine). When taking Claritin®, do not go over the recommended dosage. Do not take another dose before the instructions say to do so. Read the instructions on the box carefully, and ask your doctor if you have any questions about how to take this medication. Common symptoms of overdosing on Claritin® may include drowsiness, headaches, and fast pounding heart rate.
For any questions or concerns you may have about taking Claritin® or if someone has had more than the prescribed dosage, call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. Specially trained nurses and pharmacists are available 24/7/365 to answer your questions. The service is free and confidential.
Claritin Product Description
Drug Uses
Claritin is an antihistamine, a selective blocker of H1 histamine receptors that are known as mediators of immediate hypersensitivity reaction. This antihistamine has a rapid and long-lasting anti-allergic effect.
Claritin feature is that it does not affect the central nervous system and does not cause the development of sedative and anticholinergic effects. In addition, Claritin has no effect on concentration and rate of psychomotor reactions. Claritin is prescribed for children (aged 2 years and older), adults and elderly patients for the symptomatic treatment:
- chronic idiopathic urticaria (itchy skin, red or white bumps on the skin)
- seasonal allergic rhinitis (itchy, burning eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion)
When treating allergy in adults and children aged 6 and older, Claritin 10 mg (1 tablet) per day is usually prescribed. The therapeutic dose of Claritin for children aged 2 to 6 years is prescribed depending on the body weight.
If the child's weight is 30 kg or higher, it is prescribed with Claritin 10mg per day. If the child’s body weight below 30 kg, the recommended daily dose of Claritin is 5 mg. Elderly patients are prescribed with the adult dose of Claritin (10 mg daily) without dosage adjustment.
Missed dose
If you forget to take a scheduled dose of Claritin, take it as soon as possible. However, do not take more than one dose of Claritin in 24 hours. If you cannot remember whether you have taken the dose of anti-allergic drug today or not, wait until the next day to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Skip the missed dose of Claritin, if it is almost time for the next dose of the drug.
More Information
Claritin tablets are advised to take at the same time of the day, regardless of food intake. The patients with renal impairment are not required to adjust the daily dose of Claritin. During antihistamine therapy, the patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease should avoid using large amounts of alcohol. Claritin anti-allergic drug should not be used in children younger than 2 years, as well as in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Storage
Claritin tablets must be protected from a moisture, so they should be kept in a tight closed packing, in a dry place, at temperature no higher than 30°C. Do not leave the packaging of Claritin pills open for a long time.
Claritin Safety Information
Warnings
Claritin is used with extreme caution in patients with severe liver impairment. Low doses of the drug should be used for the treatment of such patients. In general, patients with hepatic encephalopathy are prescribed with Claritin 5 mg per day or 10 mg every other day.
Claritin can stimulate the central nervous system and cause excessive excitability, cardiovascular insufficiency and convulsions. Patients with peptic ulcer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, cardiovascular disease and diabetes should take Claritin with caution.
Disclaimer
Information on allergic diseases provided in Claritin review is not intended to replace medical advice from an allergist or primary health care practitioner. The online pharmacy does not assume any liability or responsibility for any damage, special, incidental, indirect or direct, arising out of the use of the information about Claritin antihistamine agent.
Claritin Side Effects
Claritin antihistamine drug may cause mild side effects that do not cause harm to health. Clinical studies of Claritin have demonstrated that no more than 2% of patients need for antihistamine therapy to be withdrawn because of serious side effects.
One of the most common side effects of Claritin that nay occur in adolescents over 12 years old and adults are the following: gastrointestinal disorders, somnolence, insomnia, headache, nervousness, increased appetite and fatigue. Children may experience gastrointestinal reactions, nervousness and allergic symptoms more often than adults do.