Notably, Claritin’s package labeling does not discuss1 if drinking is safe to do while on the medication. This may lead people to believe there is no risk of side effects if you drink while taking Claritin. However, doing so can compound the side effects of both alcohol and Claritin. Fortunately, symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, a timeline for the restoration of cognitive abilities after quitting alcohol eye irritation and itching can be relieved by some over-the-counter allergy medications. Claritin is a popular over-the-counter antihistamine medication used to relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and runny nose. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical that is released during allergic reactions.
- The maximum recommended dosage of loratadine is 10 mg in 24 hours.
- It can cause relaxation, sedation, and impair cognitive function.
- Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central nervous system.
- If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before taking loratadine.
- The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.
Although little data exists on mixing alcohol and Claritin, it is known that drinking can be dangerous if you take stimulants. This is because stimulants, such as caffeine, counteract the sleepy feeling you get when you have had too much alcohol, leading you to drink more than you may have otherwise. Although loratadine itself is not a stimulant, the pseudoephedrine that is also present in Claritin-D is a stimulant.
But if you want to take loratadine for hives, always talk with your doctor or pharmacist first. Loratadine isn’t typically used for skin allergies, such as hives. But antihistamines, such as loratadine, can relieve itching from hives. A brand-name form of loratadine called Claritin Hives Relief is one drug used to treat itching from hives. Cutting back on alcohol or quitting altogether can be dangerous if you have AUD.
What is loratadine’s dosage?
It’s still a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication. Mixing alcohol and Claritin could leave you feeling tired or sleepy. While Claritin doesn’t usually cause drowsiness on its own, this side effect is more likely when alcohol is present. Women and older adults are more likely to experience serious alcohol-medication interactions. Pseudoephedrine is a nasal decongestant a person may take if they have a condition that causes a blocked nose. There is minimal information regarding the relationship between decongestants and alcohol.
Mixing Alcohol and Claritin vs. Claritin-D
The combination can intensify these effects, leading to cognitive impairment and reduced mental acuity. Older people are at particularly high risk for harmful alcohol–medication interactions. Aging slows the body’s ability to break down alcohol, so alcohol remains in a person’s system longer. Older people also are more likely to take a medication that interacts with alcohol—in fact, they often need to take more than one of these medications. When a woman drinks, the alcohol in her bloodstream typically reaches a higher level than a man’s even if both are drinking the same amount.
Dosage
To avoid this, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol while you’re taking Claritin. Beer can contain gluten, yeast, hops, barley and grapes, which can all be allergens. Wine may also contain substances that can induce reactions in people with tree nut, dairy, egg and fish allergies. Both beer and wine may also contain a chemical called sodium metabisulfite, a preservative that may exacerbate allergic conditions like asthma.
The cough is caused by postnasal drip (mucus running down the back of your throat). Loratadine dries up the mucus in your nose, so it can help ease this type of tickly cough. Serious side effects of loratadine that have been reported include severe allergic reactions.To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below. She also offers an alternative for those who don’t want to give up the opportunity to have a drink—nasal corticosteroids, such as Flonase or Nasonex. These are used as needed, and are safe to use regularly throughout the allergy season.
Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. It generally is not recommended to mix alcohol and antihistamines like Claritin (loratadine) due to the risk of additive sedation that may occur. However, only small number of individuals experience drowsiness on Claritin. If Claritin doesn’t make you tired, it is unlikely that alcohol will interact with it or cause any sort of additive side effects, as discussed below. Yes, it’s important to avoid other medications that can cause drowsiness or have sedative effects while taking Claritin.
Medicines may have many ingredients
While some individuals may experience minimal side effects, others may be more sensitive to the interaction. It’s important to pay attention to your body’s signals and be aware of any changes or discomfort you may experience. It’s essential to note that individual reactions to the combination of Claritin D and alcohol can vary. Some individuals may experience heightened sensitivity to the effects, while others may tolerate the combination without significant issues. Factors such as age, weight, overall health, and tolerance to both substances can influence the reaction. The effects of alcohol and Claritin on motor skills and judgment can be detrimental to your safety and the safety of those around you.
If you’re planning to have an allergy test done, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take loratadine for a few days beforehand. No, with loratadine tablets, you should not take a 5-milligram (mg) or 20-mg dose. This is not to say, however, that it is okay to go on a bender while taking Claritin, Zyrtec, Xyzal, or Allegra—Dr. Corry recommends avoiding alcohol altogether while taking any medication. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.
Taking more than the recommended dose can increase your risk of experiencing negative symptoms like drowsiness or dry mouth. It’s important to remember that Claritin is a medication that should be taken as directed. If how to safely detox from alcohol at home you have any questions or concerns about taking Claritin with alcohol or any other medications, be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you personalized advice based on your specific health needs.
When you take Claritin with alcohol, it can put additional stress on your liver as it works to process both substances at once. This can increase the risk of liver damage or other complications. Each person may have a unique response to the combination of Claritin D and alcohol.
As mentioned, Claritin is an antihistamine that is commonly used to treat allergies. Histamine is a chemical that is released by the body in response to an allergen, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust mites. When histamine is released, it can cause a variety of symptoms, including sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. When you mix alcohol with Claritin, the central nervous system effects of both drugs may be additive. In turn, your judgment may be impaired more than normal while drinking.
This includes prescription painkillers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, and some antidepressants. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medications while on Claritin. Mixing Claritin and alcohol can cause a variety of symptoms, including drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, dehydration, headaches, and fatigue.
Following the directions provided on the medication label can reduce the risk of adverse reactions. It’s also not known if loratadine is safe to take while breastfeeding. But it’s not known how this drug may affect a breastfed child. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before taking loratadine. But alcohol and loratadine can cause some of the same side effects, such as headache and fatigue (low energy). Combining alcohol and loratadine may raise your risk of having these side effects or may make them worse if you experience them.
While there’s no direct interaction between alcohol brain fog, it’s generally not recommended to mix the two. Both substances can have an impact on your body, such as causing drowsiness or dehydration, which can be dangerous if you’re driving or operating heavy machinery. It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive – there are many other medications that should not be mixed with alcohol as well. Before taking any medication, be sure to read the label carefully and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. If you’re taking any other medications or supplements along with Claritin, it’s important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.