Claritin vs. Claritin-D: Which one should you take?

In this article:

• Conditions treated by Claritin vs. Claritin-D
• Side effects
• Insurance coverage and cost
• Which is better?
• FAQs

In this article

• Conditions treated by Claritin vs. Claritin-D
• Side effects
• Insurance coverage and cost
• Which is better?
• FAQs

When allergy season hits, Claritin is often the first thing people reach for. But stand in the allergy aisle for more than a few seconds, and you’ll notice it’s not the only version on the shelf. There’s also Claritin-D, with a nearly identical name and box design. If you’ve ever paused there wondering which one you actually need, you’re not alone. So, what’s the difference between Claritin and Claritin-D?

Claritin contains loratadine, an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine. Claritin-D also contains loratadine, but with the addition of pseudoephedrine, a decongestant. Because pseudoephedrine can be used to illegally manufacture methamphetamine, it’s a federally regulated ingredient, and Claritin-D is kept behind the counter at the pharmacy as a result. “Consumers generally need to show identification when purchasing it, and there are limits on how much can be purchased,” explains Sue Ojageer, Pharm.D., a pharmacist and founder of PharmaSue, a concierge health practice.

Compare Claritin vs. Claritin-D key differences
Differences	Claritin	Claritin-D
Active ingredients	Loratadine (antihistamine) only	Loratadine and pseudoephedrine (decongestant)
Best for	Sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes	Same symptoms, plus nasal congestion, sinus congestion, and sinus pressure
Where to buy	Off the shelf, no ID needed	Behind the pharmacy counter, photo ID required
Formulations	Tablets, dissolving tablets, liquid, liquid gels, chewable tablets	Tablet (12-hour and 24-hour formulations)

By the time you’re done reading, choosing between the two will be a lot less of a guessing game.

Conditions treated by Claritin vs. Claritin-D

In short, Claritin and Claritin-D both offer relief from the same allergy symptoms, but Claritin-D has a few additional ones that it will also treat. “Claritin works for hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and other upper respiratory allergies,” says Oluwatosin Ajao, MD, an internal and lifestyle medicine physician and founder of Hydration Bar MD. “It treats common symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and an itchy throat or nose.”

Claritin-D treats all those same symptoms in addition to nasal congestion. “This is because Claritin-D contains pseudoephedrine, which is a decongestant,” Dr. Ajao explains. “This ingredient helps reduce swelling in nasal passages, making it easier to breathe and easing sinus pressure, congestion, and stuffiness. It helps with seasonal allergies and the common cold.”

While Claritin-D does treat more symptoms overall, that doesn’t mean it’s immediately the best choice. If you’re not dealing with congestion or struggling to breathe due to a stuffy nose, regular Claritin is likely sufficient to provide relief from common allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold, or pet dander.

Side effects of Claritin vs. Claritin-D

Claritin is generally well tolerated, Dr. Ojageer says. For Claritin, the most common side effect to be aware of is drowsiness. “The label on Claritin states ‘non-drowsy.’ However, exceeding the recommended dose can cause drowsiness,” Dr. Ajao says. Dr. Ojageer concurs, though also notes that Claritin is generally less sedating than many older antihistamines, such as Benadryl.

Claritin-D has some additional precautions and potential side effects because of the pseudoephedrine. “Common side effects are trouble sleeping, feeling nervous or jittery, loss of appetite, feeling irritable, a fast or pounding heartbeat, or feeling restless,” Dr. Ajao says. (You’ll find a more complete list of side effects of Claritin-D and Claritin in the table below.)

Perhaps more important than the side effects, though, is making sure it’s safe for you to take Claritin-D in the first place. “People with conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate or liver or kidney disease should talk with a healthcare professional before using it,” Dr. Ojageer says. Dr. Ajao adds that other Claritin-D contraindications include if you’re in the first trimester of pregnancy, you have narrow-angle glaucoma, you have an irregular heartbeat or history of stroke, or you’re an older adult.

“Claritin-D should not be taken with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or within two weeks of stopping one because of the potential for serious drug interactions.” You may also want to avoid consuming caffeine at the same time as Claritin-D; since caffeine is also a stimulant, it could exacerbate the side effects.

Compare Claritin vs. Claritin-D side effects
Side effect	Claritin	Claritin-D
Diarrhea	Yes, in children younger than 12	No
Flu-like symptoms	Yes, in children younger than 12	No
Upper respiratory tract infection	Yes, in children younger than 12	No
Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat	Yes, in people older than 12	Yes
Headaches	Yes, in people older than 12	Yes
Fatigue or drowsiness	Yes	Yes
Wheezing or difficulty breathing	Yes	Yes
Hives or skin rash	Yes	Yes
Nervousness	Yes	Yes
Constipation	No	Yes
Pounding or fluttering heartbeat	No	Yes
Dizziness	No	Yes
Restless feeling	No	Yes
Dry mouth	No	Yes
Nausea or stomach pain	No	Yes
Loss of appetite	No	Yes
Insomnia	No	Yes
Sore throat	No	Yes
Blurred vision	No	Yes
Problems with memory or concentration	No	Yes
Ringing in ears	No	Yes

Insurance coverage and cost

“Because Claritin and Claritin-D are available without a prescription, insurance coverage varies considerably by plan,” Dr. Ojageer says. “Some plans may cover certain OTC medications when prescribed by a healthcare professional, while others may not.”

If your insurance plan doesn’t cover your allergy meds (especially Claritin-D, which is quite pricey), consider the generic versions, which are typically cheaper. “An FDA-approved generic contains the same active ingredient and must meet FDA standards, including demonstrating bioequivalence to the reference product,” Dr. Ojageer says. Compare Claritin to generic loratadine or a combination of loratadine and pseudoephedrine instead of Claritin-D. Just make sure to check the strength and duration of action for each before buying, since Claritin-D comes in 12-hour and 24-hour formulations with different amounts of loratadine and pseudoephedrine in each.

Whether you’re buying the brand-name or generic versions, a SingleCare prescription discount card can also help bring the cost down. Of note, you must have a prescription, even for OTC items, to get the SingleCare discount.

Compare Claritin vs. Claritin-D insurance coverage and cost
Cost and coverage	Claritin (loratadine)	Claritin-D (loratadine/pseudoephedrine)
Typically covered by insurance?	Only with a prescription	Only with a prescription
Generic available?	Yes (generic loratadine)	Yes (generic loratadine-pseudoephedrine)
Average retail price	$21 for 30, 10 mg tablets of generic loratadine	$32 for 20 tablets of generic loratadine-D 12 hour
SingleCare price	$9 for 30, 10 mg tablets at Kroger	$21 for 20 tablets at Costco

Which is better: Claritin or Claritin-D?

Neither Claritin nor Claritin-D is technically better than the other. If you are experiencing allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, or a runny nose but you’re not feeling stuffed up at all, regular Claritin can provide relief. If you are congested on top of those symptoms, you’ll need a medication like Claritin-D that contains both an antihistamine and a decongestant to feel better – but remember, not everyone can safely take Claritin-D.

Claritin is a safer choice if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, an enlarged prostate, or sleep issues. Or, if you are taking certain medications, such as MAOIs, you should not take Claritin-D. Before taking any OTC allergy medications, it’s best to check with a healthcare provider.

Expert takeaway

“Although Claritin and many other OTC allergy products are labeled as non-drowsy, they may still cause drowsiness in some people,” says Karen Berger, Pharm.D., a member of the SingleCare Medical Board. Because of this, do not drive until you know how the medicine affects you, she says.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take Claritin and Claritin-D together?

No, it’s not advised. “Taking both at the same time gives you too much loratadine. This increases the side effects,” especially drowsiness, Dr. Ajao says. “If your allergy symptoms aren’t improving with one medicine, talk to your doctor. They can help you choose the safest option.” An alternative second-generation antihistamine, such as Zyrtec (cetirizine), may provide relief instead.

Can you switch from Claritin to Claritin-D if your congestion gets worse?

Yes you can, but there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. “It is important not to accidentally overlap doses of loratadine,” Dr. Ojageer says. In other words, you would need to check the timing of your medication. “Claritin-D also isn’t appropriate for everyone because of the pseudoephedrine component,” adds Dr. Ojageer, so be sure to check with a healthcare provider first.

Is there a generic version of Claritin-D?

Yes there is, and it will likely be less expensive than the brand name. When you’re choosing a generic version, just make sure you’re getting the amount of each medication that you are looking for, as there may be different strengths available.