Claritin (loratadine) is taken once daily, with or without food, and provides 24 hours of allergy relief from a single dose. It’s one of the most straightforward over-the-counter antihistamines to use, but the right dose, timing, and form depend on your age and health status.
Standard Dosage by Age
Adults and children 6 years and older take one 10 mg dose per day. Do not exceed one dose in a 24-hour period. For children aged 2 to 5, the standard dose is 5 mg once daily, typically given as a liquid syrup measured with the included dosing cup or syringe.
Children under 2 should not take Claritin without guidance from a pediatrician.
When and How to Take It
You can take Claritin at any time of day, and it works whether your stomach is full or empty. The key is consistency: pick a time that’s easy to remember and stick with it. Many people take it in the morning so it’s active during peak pollen hours, but there’s no medical reason you can’t take it at night instead.
Claritin starts relieving allergy symptoms roughly 75 minutes after you take it, based on controlled exposure studies. Its effects last a full 24 hours, which is why one pill per day is sufficient. If you’re heading into a high-allergy situation, plan about an hour and a half of lead time.
Different Forms of Claritin
Claritin comes in several forms, and the instructions vary slightly depending on which one you use:
- Standard tablets: Swallow whole with water.
- Liqui-Gels (liquid-filled capsules): Swallow whole. Same dosing as tablets: one capsule daily for adults and children 6 and over.
- RediTabs (dissolving tablets): Place on the tongue and let it dissolve. No water needed, which makes these convenient when you’re on the go. Use dry hands when handling them, since moisture breaks them down quickly.
- Children’s syrup: Use the measuring device included in the package. A kitchen spoon is not accurate enough for pediatric dosing.
All forms contain the same active ingredient and work the same way. Choose whichever is most practical for you.
If You Miss a Dose
If you forget to take your daily Claritin, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s already close to the time of your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and resume your normal routine. Don’t double up to compensate for a missed dose.
Adjustments for Liver or Kidney Problems
Your body clears loratadine through the liver and kidneys, so if either organ isn’t working well, the drug can build up to higher-than-intended levels. The FDA-approved labeling recommends a reduced schedule for these situations: adults and children 6 and older should take 10 mg every other day instead of daily. Children 2 to 5 with liver or kidney problems should take 5 mg every other day.
Safety During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Loratadine is generally considered one of the safer antihistamine options during pregnancy. The Mayo Clinic lists it among the oral antihistamines that healthcare providers commonly recommend for managing mild allergy symptoms in pregnant women. Small amounts do pass into breast milk, but loratadine is widely regarded as compatible with breastfeeding at standard doses.
What Happens if You Take Too Much
Taking more than the recommended 10 mg is unlikely to cause a medical emergency, but it can increase side effects like tiredness and headache. At very high doses (well beyond anything you’d take by accident), case reports have documented elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and flushed skin. If you or a child accidentally takes significantly more than the recommended amount, contact Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) for guidance.
Alcohol and Other Interactions
Claritin is classified as a non-drowsy antihistamine, meaning it’s far less sedating than older options like diphenhydramine (Benadryl). That said, some people still experience mild drowsiness, and alcohol can amplify that effect. If you notice any sedation when you first start taking it, hold off on alcohol until you know how it affects you. Certain medications can also interact with loratadine, so if you’re taking other prescriptions, check with a pharmacist before adding Claritin to your routine.