Quick Answer: Claritin contains only loratadine 10 mg, a non-drowsy antihistamine for sneezing, runny nose, itchy watery eyes and itchy nose or throat. Claritin-D adds the decongestant pseudoephedrine (120 mg in the 12-hour tablet, 240 mg in the 24-hour tablet) to also relieve nasal and sinus congestion. The decongestant brings warnings: ask a doctor first if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes or prostate enlargement, and do not use with MAO inhibitors. Because pseudoephedrine can be used to make methamphetamine, federal law requires Claritin-D to be sold behind the pharmacy counter with ID and purchase limits. If congestion isn’t your main problem, plain Claritin is the simpler choice.
Claritin vs Claritin-D at a Glance
| Feature | Claritin | Claritin-D 24 Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredients | Loratadine 10 mg | Loratadine 10 mg + pseudoephedrine sulfate 240 mg |
| Relieves sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes | Yes | Yes |
| Relieves nasal / sinus congestion | Not a labeled use | Yes |
| Ages (label) | Adults and children 6+ (tablets) | Adults and children 12+ |
| Dose | 1 tablet daily | 1 tablet daily, swallowed whole |
| Where sold | On the shelf | Behind the pharmacy counter; ID and purchase limits |
| Ask a doctor first if you have | Liver or kidney disease | Heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, enlarged prostate, liver or kidney disease |
| Do not use with | — | MAO inhibitors, or within 2 weeks of stopping one |
| Possible side effects | Drowsiness if more than directed | Nervousness, dizziness, sleeplessness; stop and ask a doctor if these occur |
From the current Claritin and Claritin-D Drug Facts labels on DailyMed (Sources). A 12-hour Claritin-D with 5 mg loratadine and 120 mg pseudoephedrine is taken every 12 hours.
What the “D” Means
The “D” stands for decongestant. Loratadine blocks histamine, the chemical behind sneezing, itching and a runny nose during allergy season, but antihistamines do little for a stuffy, blocked nose. Pseudoephedrine narrows swollen blood vessels in the nasal lining, which opens the airway and relieves sinus pressure. Claritin-D combines the two in an extended-release tablet.
According to the Claritin-D 24 Hour Drug Facts, it temporarily relieves sneezing, itchy watery eyes, runny nose and itching of the nose or throat due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies, and also relieves nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies, reduces swelling of nasal passages, relieves sinus congestion and pressure, and restores freer breathing through the nose.
Dosing
- Claritin 10 mg tablets: adults and children 6 and over, 1 tablet daily; not more than 1 tablet in 24 hours. Children under 6: ask a doctor. Consumers with liver or kidney disease: ask a doctor.
- Claritin-D 24 Hour: adults and children 12 and over, 1 tablet daily with a full glass of water; not more than 1 tablet in 24 hours. Do not divide, crush, chew or dissolve the tablet. Children under 12: ask a doctor.
- Claritin-D 12 Hour: loratadine 5 mg and pseudoephedrine 120 mg, taken every 12 hours (not more than 2 tablets in 24 hours) by adults and children 12 and over.
Do not take Claritin and Claritin-D together, since both contain loratadine. Also check other cold products for pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine to avoid doubling up on decongestants.
Who Should Be Careful With Claritin-D
Pseudoephedrine is a stimulant that can raise blood pressure and heart rate. A meta-analysis of 24 trials (Salerno et al., Archives of Internal Medicine, 2005) found that oral pseudoephedrine caused a small average increase in systolic blood pressure (about 1 mm Hg) and heart rate (about 3 beats per minute), a similar systolic increase in people with controlled hypertension, and larger increases with higher doses and immediate-release forms. People with uncontrolled high blood pressure were not well represented.
The Claritin-D label says to ask a doctor before use if you have:
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- thyroid disease
- diabetes
- trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate
- liver or kidney disease
Do not use if you are taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), used for depression, psychiatric conditions or Parkinson’s disease, or for 2 weeks after stopping one. Stop and ask a doctor if symptoms don’t improve within 7 days or come with fever, or if nervousness, dizziness or sleeplessness occurs. Because of the sleeplessness risk, some people avoid taking decongestants late in the day.
Why Claritin-D Is Behind the Counter
Under the federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act, products containing pseudoephedrine must be kept behind the counter or in a locked case. Buyers must show photo ID and sign a logbook, and federal law limits how much pseudoephedrine a person can buy per day and per 30 days; some states add stricter rules. You don’t need a prescription in most states, but you do need to ask the pharmacy staff.
You may see “PE” decongestant products on the open shelf that use phenylephrine instead. In 2023 an FDA advisory committee concluded that oral phenylephrine is not effective as a nasal decongestant at the labeled dose, and FDA has proposed removing it from the OTC monograph. Oral phenylephrine is therefore not a reliable substitute for pseudoephedrine.
Alternatives for Congestion
If you mainly have a stuffy nose from allergies, a steroid nasal spray is often the most effective single treatment. Guidelines for allergic rhinitis from the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery recommend intranasal corticosteroids for patients whose symptoms affect quality of life, and note oral antihistamines are appropriate for sneezing and itching. Options like fluticasone (Flonase) or triamcinolone (Nasacort) are sold OTC and do not raise blood pressure the way oral decongestants can.
Saline rinses can also help clear mucus and allergens. Short-term decongestant sprays such as oxymetazoline work fast but are limited to 3 days because of rebound congestion.
How to Choose
- Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, no real congestion: Claritin alone.
- Allergies plus a blocked nose or sinus pressure, healthy blood pressure and heart: Claritin-D may help short term.
- High blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, prostate symptoms, pregnancy, or taking an MAOI: talk to a pharmacist or doctor; a steroid nasal spray plus plain Claritin is often a better fit.
Store-brand loratadine and loratadine-D contain the same active ingredients at the same strengths; compare the Drug Facts panel. OTC allergy medicines are generally HSA/FSA-eligible under CARES Act rules for OTC medicines.
Special Situations
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Both labels say to ask a health professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Loratadine is among the antihistamines most often discussed as an option in pregnancy, while oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine are generally approached with more caution, particularly in the first trimester and in people with high blood pressure. Pseudoephedrine may also reduce breast milk supply in some people. Ask your obstetric clinician or pharmacist before using either.
Children
Claritin 10 mg tablets are labeled for children 6 and over (children’s liquid and chewable versions have their own labels and doses). Claritin-D is labeled only for ages 12 and up; for younger children, the label says to ask a doctor.
Other medicines
Avoid combining Claritin-D with other products that contain a decongestant (many multi-symptom cold and sinus medicines) or stimulants, including some ADHD medicines and high-caffeine products, which can add to the jittery or heart-racing effects. Check every Drug Facts panel for pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine and loratadine before taking more than one product, and ask a pharmacist if you take prescription drugs for blood pressure, depression or heart rhythm.
When to Talk to Your Doctor or Pharmacist
Seek care for chest pain, a racing or irregular heartbeat, severe headache, or very high blood pressure readings while taking a decongestant. See a doctor if congestion lasts more than 7 days, comes with fever, facial pain or thick discolored discharge, or if allergy symptoms aren’t controlled by OTC treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Claritin and Claritin-D?
Claritin contains only loratadine, an antihistamine. Claritin-D adds pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that relieves nasal and sinus congestion.
Can I take Claritin-D with high blood pressure?
The label says to ask a doctor before use if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, because pseudoephedrine can raise blood pressure and heart rate.
Why do I have to show ID for Claritin-D?
Pseudoephedrine is regulated under the federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act, which requires behind-the-counter sales, ID, a logbook and purchase limits.
Does Claritin-D make you drowsy?
Loratadine is non-drowsy at the labeled dose, but pseudoephedrine can cause nervousness and sleeplessness. Stop and ask a doctor if these occur.
Can I take Claritin and Claritin-D together?
No. Both contain loratadine, so taking both doubles the antihistamine dose.
Is Claritin-D 12 hour or 24 hour better?
They contain the same total daily amounts when used as directed. The 24-hour tablet is taken once daily; the 12-hour tablet twice daily. Choose based on convenience and how you tolerate pseudoephedrine.
Sources
- DailyMed: Claritin (loratadine 10 mg) tablets Drug Facts
- DailyMed: Claritin-D 24 Hour (loratadine and pseudoephedrine sulfate) Drug Facts
- DailyMed: Claritin-D 12 Hour Drug Facts
- PubMed: Salerno et al., effect of oral pseudoephedrine on blood pressure and heart rate: a meta-analysis (2005)
- FDA: Legal requirements for the sale and purchase of drug products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine
- FDA: FDA proposes ending use of oral phenylephrine as OTC monograph nasal decongestant active ingredient
- PubMed: Seidman et al., clinical practice guideline: allergic rhinitis (AAO-HNS, 2015)
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any supplement, medication, or treatment — particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medications, or have a diagnosed medical condition.