{"id":633853,"date":"2025-10-08T10:19:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T14:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633853"},"modified":"2026-01-28T14:07:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:07:18","slug":"claritin-interactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/claritin-interactions\/","title":{"rendered":"Claritin (loratadine) interactions to avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Claritin<\/span><\/a> (loratadine)<\/span><\/a> is an over-the-counter antihistamine used to treat allergic reactions or allergic rhinitis and their associated symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose or stuffy nose, watery eyes, itchy throat, and hives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Claritin interacts with other medications, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, other antihistamines, and antibiotics. Claritin is not known to interact with alcohol, but precaution is advised when it is taken together. Given the risk of unwanted effects associated with drug-drug interactions, it\u2019s essential to know how Claritin, when combined with other drugs, may affect effectiveness, such as increasing or decreasing the effects of the different medicines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Claritin drug interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s a look at potential drug interactions with <\/span>Claritin<\/span><\/a> and possible side effects that may occur:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Drug class or group name<\/b><\/td>\nDrug name<\/b><\/td>\nInteractions\/side effects<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Azilect<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Rasagiline<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Emsam<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Nardil<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Parnate<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Xadago<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Very high blood pressure when taken with Claritin-D specifically<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Antihistamines<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • First-generation:<\/b> Benadryl, Phenergan, Atarax\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Second-generation: <\/b>Zyrtec, Allegra, Xyzal<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Can exacerbate side effects\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H2 Blockers<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Cimetidine\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Increase Claritin blood levels<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Antibiotics<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Erythromycin<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Clarithromycin<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Increase Claritin blood levels<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Anticonvulsants<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Carbamazepine<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Phenytoin<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Decrease Claritin blood levels<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors<\/span><\/h3>\n

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors<\/span><\/a> (MAOIs) are drugs prescribed for treating depression, emotional conditions, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/span> Claritin-D<\/span><\/a> contains the active ingredients loratadine (antihistamine) and pseudoephedrine sulfate (nasal decongestant).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

MAOI and the pseudoephedrine sulfate component of Claritin-D may interact to cause<\/span> very high blood pressure<\/span><\/a> that leads to hypertensive crisis in severe cases. Symptoms include heart palpitations, chest pain, severe headache, confusion, sudden facial droop, and slurred speech. Therefore, Claritin-D is not recommended for individuals taking MAOIs. You should also avoid using Claritin-D for the first 14 days after discontinuing MAOIs; however, plain Claritin does not interact with MAOIs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of MAOIs include:<\/span><\/p>\n