Experts say, it’s usually okay . “Taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily, but patients should make sure they do not interact with their other medications,” says Sandra Lin, MD, professor and vice director of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at John Hopkins School of Medicine.
What are the side effects of taking Claritin every day?
- headache,
- sleepiness,
- feeling tired,
- drowsiness,
- fatigue,
- nervousness,
- stomach pain,
- diarrhea,
Can you take Claritin everyday?
Yes , you can take Claritin daily and long term. It is an antihistamine used to treat for allergy symptoms. If your symptoms are year round then it is able to be taken long term. If your symptoms are seasonal or you have allergy symptoms occasionally, then it is taken daily when required.
Does Claritin work better if you take it everyday?
First and foremost, each works best when taken daily rather than intermittently . All of these antihistamines are indicated for adults and children 2 years of age and older, with Zyrtec and Claritin dosed once a day for all ages.
What are the side effects of long term use of antihistamines?
These common side effects include sedation, impaired motor function, dizziness, dry mouth and throat, blurred vision, urinary retention and constipation . Antihistamines can worsen urinary retention and narrow angle glaucoma. The antihistamines rarely cause liver injury.
Should you take Claritin in the morning or at night?
Claritin (loratadine) can be taken either at night or in the morning since it normally doesn’t cause sleepiness.
Does Claritin dry up mucus?
Yes. It’s possible that Claritin can dry up mucus . Using Claritin may increase the incidence of “drying” side effects. Dry mouth is one of the more common side effects of Claritin and other antihistamine drugs.
Can Claritin make you gain weight?
Taking occasionally, antihistamines shouldn’t be a problem. But many people take them year round. A 2010 study found those who took antihistamines daily had larger waistlines. Newer drugs, including cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra) and loratadine (Claritin) are likely to cause less weight gain .
Which is better for seasonal allergies Zyrtec or Claritin?
Zyrtec has a quicker onset of action compared to Claritin and may be more effective than Claritin in reducing allergy symptoms, according to one clinical trial. However, cetirizine, the active ingredient of Zyrtec, has been shown to produce more drowsiness than loratadine.
Do antihistamines cause weight gain?
Antihistamines may also increase appetite , which can cause weight gain. Anecdotally, people using Xyzal (levocetirizine)—an antihistamine similar to Zyrtec (cetirizine)—they have noticed they have put on extra pounds, which is what a very small percentage of patients who used the drug during trials experienced.
Does Claritin need to build up in your system?
Claritin is more likely to interact with other drugs than Zyrtec. Claritin is broken down in the liver by enzymes that other drugs can inhibit. This may lead to Claritin building up in the body, which increases the risk of side effects.
What should you not take with Claritin?
- amiodarone (Pacerone)
- carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Epitol)
- cimetidine (Tagamet)
- darunavir (Prezista)
- dasatinib (Sprycel)
- erythromycin (Erygel, Eryped)
- ketoconazole.
- midodrine (ProAmatine)
How long does Claritin stay in your system?
The half-life of loratadine, or how long it takes for half a dose to leave your body, is 8.4 hours in adults without liver problems. Because it takes about five half-lives to completely rid your body of a drug, Claritin can remain in your system for more than 40 hours after you take a dose.
Are antihistamines bad for your heart?
In the drug realm, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin) can help with a stuffy nose are safe for the heart . Nasal sprays deliver a decongestant right where you need it. In theory, this should minimize cardiovascular effects.
Are antihistamines bad for your kidneys?
In general, anti-histamines do not cause kidney problems . Some, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can cause retention of urine in your bladder. Others such as Claritin and Zyrtec are generally very safe.
Are antihistamines bad for your liver?
Non-sedating antihistamines can rarely cause acute liver injury. Although the liver damage is typically mild, if it occurs, antihistamines should be stopped . The liver function is usually only slightly deranged, and returns to normal with substitution of another antihistamine or cessation of the therapy.
