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Key takeaways
Loratadine, the generic for Claritin, is an inexpensive over-the-counter option for allergy relief.
The main difference between brand-name Claritin and generic Claritin is cost.
Other over-the-counter generic antihistamines include cetirizine, fexofenadine, and levocetirizine.
Claritin is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication used to relieve allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. It contains the active ingredient loratadine, which belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamines. Claritin is available in many forms (i.e., tablets, chewable tablets, liquid solution) and is marketed under several product names (i.e., Claritin, Claritin Childrens, and Claritin-D, which contains loratadine and pseudoephedrine).
Although many associate brand-name Claritin with allergy relief, it is also available as a generic medication.
Is there a generic for Claritin?
Yes, the generic name for Claritin is loratadine. The generic was approved by the FDA soon after brand-name Claritin was switched from prescription-only to over-the-counter in 2002. Currently, both brand-name Claritin and generic loratadine are available in pharmacies across the U.S.
What are the differences between brand-name and generic Claritin?
Brand-name and generic Claritin are much more similar than different. “Claritin and generic loratadine have the same active ingredient, the same dose options, and the same expected effect,” says Kara Wada, MD, FAAAAI, a board-certified allergist and immunologist in central Ohio. “The FDA requires generics to meet strict standards for quality and performance.”
That said, brand-name and generic drugs often differ in two ways: Appearance and cost.
For instance, the visual difference between Claritin and generic loratadine is that the brand-name tablets are white and round, whereas the generic tablets may be oval or a different color (depending on the manufacturer).
Some patients prefer brand over generic, possibly because of a 2020 study that found individuals taking a brand-name antidepressant had a lower risk of hospitalization than those who took a generic. However, there is much more evidence suggesting that brand-name and generic drugs offer the same benefits. “I would assure a patient who prefers the brand name that they are paying for advertising, not better medicine,” says Heather Gosnell, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and plant-based health coach in Phoenix, Arizona.
Main differences between brand-name and generic Claritin |
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| Drug information | Claritin (loratadine) |
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How much is generic Claritin?
Currently, the average retail price of generic Claritin is $22 for 30, 10-milligram (mg) tablets. By comparison, the average retail price of brand-name Claritin is $34 for 30, 10-mg tablets.
There are ways to lower the cost of generic Claritin even more. If your healthcare provider writes a prescription for Claritin or loratadine, you can use a SingleCare discount card. Exact savings vary by pharmacy and location, but at Walgreens pharmacy, a SingleCare coupon can lower the cost of loratadine to just $4 for 30, 10 mg tablets.
Brand vs. generic Claritin prices |
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| Insurance coverage and cost | Brand-name Claritin | Claritin generic (loratadine) |
| Average cost without insurance | $34 for 30, 10-mg tablets | $22 for 30, 10-mg tablets |
| SingleCare’s lowest price | $4 for 30, 10-mg tablets of generic Claritin at Walgreens | $4 for 30, 10-mg tablets at Walgreens |
| Free coupons | Claritin coupons | Loratadine coupons |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of January 6, 2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.
Is Claritin covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan, but Dr. Wada says most insurers no longer cover any over-the-counter antihistamines. Dr. Gosnell points out one major exception: “Medicaid programs still do cover the generic with a prescription,” she says.
Fortunately, the costs of Claritin and loratadine are quite low even without insurance coverage or discounts.
Generic alternatives to Claritin
Claritin is far from the only OTC allergy medication on the market. “What really makes Claritin different is its side effect profile. It’s known for being one of the least sedating options,” Dr. Gosnell says.
If you do not like how loratadine makes you feel or want to try something other than Claritin for allergy relief (or chronic hives, an off-label use), Dr. Wada suggests these generic alternatives:
- Cetirizine (generic Zyrtec)
- Fexofenadine (generic Allegra)
- Levocetirizine (generic Xyzal)
- Generic allergy nasal sprays such as
“The ‘best’ option depends on how someone feels on it and how well it controls their symptoms,” Dr. Wada says. Because Claritin is a once-daily medication, you should wait 24 hours after your last Claritin dose before trying a new allergy medicine, even if you’re still experiencing allergy symptoms. For questions or concerns about treating allergy symptoms or hives, seek personalized medical advice and information from a healthcare professional.
Claritin is a well-known allergy medicine for children and adults; its generic version, loratadine, works the same way for a much lower cost. Both the brand and generic have the same active ingredient, dose options, and expected results. Most people tolerate the generic well with very few side effects. Loratadine is a good choice for an antihistamine because it causes less drowsiness compared to other over-the-counter allergy medicines. If loratadine doesn’t work well for someone, there are other affordable OTC options like cetirizine, fexofenadine, and levocetirizine, or nasal sprays such as fluticasone. Overall, for most patients, generic loratadine gives effective allergy relief without paying extra for a brand name.
- Claritin approved for over-the-counter sales, PBS News (2002)
- Brand-name antidepressants outperform their generic counterparts in preventing hospitalization for depression: The real-world evidence from Taiwan, International Journal of Neuropharmacology (2020)
- Claritin approval label, Food & Drug Administration (2025)
- Loratadine, StatPearls (2023)
- Heather Gosnell, MD, board-certified pediatrician and plant-based health coach in Phoenix, Arizona
- Kara Wada, MD, FAAAAI, board-certified allergist and immunologist in central Ohio