Generic Claritin.

Claritin ingredients.

The main Claritin ingredient is Loratadin - a long-acting tricyclic antihistamine with selective peripheral H1-receptor antagonistic activity.

Claritin has also a form with added decongestant pseudoephedrine - Claritin-D. This makes it useful for colds as well as allergies, but adds potential side-effects of insomnia, nervousness and anxiety.

What is claritin used for?

• for the relief of symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (sneezing, nasal discharge (rhinorrhea) and itching)
• for relief of symptoms and signs of chronic urticaria and other allergic dermatologic disorders.

Claritin dosage.

Adults and Children 12 years of age and over:

Tablet - One Tablet [10 mg] once daily;
Syrup - Two teaspoonsful [10 ml] once daily.

Children 2 to 12 years of age:

Body Weight > 30 kg - 10 ml [10 mg], (two teaspoonsful), Syrup once daily.
Body Weight <30 kg 5 ml [5 mg], (one teaspoonful), Syrup once daily.

Claritin and pregnancy.

Safe use of Claritin during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. So it's better to avoid taking Claritin while you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Claritin and children.

This medicine in tabletes may be used in children as young as 6 years old; younger children can receive the syrup form.

Claritin possible side effects.

• fatigue,
• headache,
• somnolence,
• dry mouth,
• gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea,
• allergic symptoms like rash.
  

Claritin and other drugs.

Claritin may interact with such drugs as:

• certain antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
• medicines for HIV infection or AIDS
  

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.