Benadryl Vs. Claritin For Allergies: Differences & Side Effects - RxList

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Benadryl vs. Claritin

• Medical and Pharmacy Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

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• Are Benadryl and Claritin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Benadryl?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Claritin?
• What is Benadryl?
• What is Claritin?
• What Drugs Interact With Benadryl?
• What Drugs Interact With Claritin?
• How Should Benadryl Be Taken?
• How Should Claritin Be Taken?

Are Benadryl and Claritin the Same Thing?

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Claritin (loratadine) are antihistamines used to treat allergy symptoms, such as itching, hives, runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing from hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and other allergies, such as allergies to molds and dust mites.

Benadryl is also used to treat insomnia, motion sickness, and mild cases of Parkinsonism.

A main difference between Benadryl and Claritin is that Claritin tends to cause less drowsiness and sedation than Benadryl.

Benadryl and Claritin are available in generic form and over-the-counter (OTC).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Benadryl?

Side effects of Benadryl include:

• drowsiness,
• fatigue,
• tiredness,
• sleepiness,
• dizziness,
• disturbed coordination,
• constipation,
• dry mouth/nose/throat,
• difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate,
• upset stomach,
• blurred vision,
• double vision,
• tremor,
• loss of appetite,
• headache, or
• nausea.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Claritin?

Common side effects of Claritin include:

• headache,
• sleepiness,
• feeling tired,
• drowsiness,
• fatigue,
• nervousness,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• dry mouth,
• sore throat,
• hoarseness,
• eye redness,
• blurred vision,
• nosebleed, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Claritin including fast or uneven heart rate, feeling like you might pass out, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes), or seizures (convulsions).

What is Benadryl?

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine used to treat allergies, hives, insomnia, motion sickness, and mild cases of Parkinsonism.

What is Claritin?

What is Claritin?

Claritin (loratadine) is an antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms. Claritin blocks the action of histamine, a substance in the body that initiates allergic symptoms like itching, sneezing, runny nose, and allergic skin rashes. Claritin is available as a generic drug.

What Drugs Interact With Benadryl?

Benadryl may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety).

Benadryl may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

What Drugs Interact With Claritin?

Claritin interact with different drugs. Benadryl may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or insomnia medications, anxiety or sleep medicines, antidepressants, or any other medications that make you feel drowsy, sleepy, or relaxed.

Claritin may interact with certain antibiotics, antifungal medications, and acid-reducing drugs.

How Should Benadryl Be Taken?

A typical dose of Benadryl is 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours. Benadryl may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or insomnia medications, anxiety or sleep medicines, antidepressants, or any other medications that make you feel drowsy, sleepy, or relaxed. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Benadryl has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women. Benadryl is secreted in breast milk. Because of the risk of stimulation and seizures in infants, especially newborns and premature infants, antihistamines should not be used by nursing mothers.

How Should Claritin Be Taken?

Claritin is available as a 10 mg tablet, a 5 or 10 mg rapidly-disintegrating tablet, a 10 mg chewable tablet, and a syrup (5 mg per 5 ml). Claritin is taken once a day.

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References Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP SOURCE: RxList. Benadryl Medication Guide. https://www.rxlist.com/benadryl-drug.htm#medguide RxList. Claritin Side Effects Drug Center. https://www.rxlist.com/claritin-side-effects-drug-center.htm

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