Claritin vs. Clarinex
See how Claritin and Clarinex compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Claritin (loratadine) and Clarinex (desloratadine) are chemically related second-generation antihistamines that both treat seasonal and perennial allergies plus chronic hives.
Claritin is sold over-the-counter for a few dollars a month, while Clarinex requires a prescription and typically costs far more.
Clarinex is approved for infants as young as 6 months, while Claritin's youngest approved use starts at age 2.
Claritin vs. Clarinex Drug Summary
Claritin
Claritin (loratadine) is a second-generation antihistamine that relieves sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and hives without significant drowsiness. It comes as a tablet, chewable, orally disintegrating tablet, or syrup, taken once daily at 5 mg or 10 mg depending on age. It has been sold over-the-counter since it lost its prescription-only status.
Clarinex
Clarinex (desloratadine) is a second-generation antihistamine and the active metabolite of loratadine, used to relieve seasonal and perennial allergy symptoms and chronic hives. It is taken once daily by mouth as a tablet, RediTab, or oral solution, with the dose adjusted by age from 1 mg to 5 mg. It remains available only by prescription in the United States.
Claritin vs. Clarinex Side Effects
Claritin
Clarinex
Claritin vs. Clarinex Dosage
Claritin
Clarinex
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 10 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 5 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Claritin
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 10 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Clarinex
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 5 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Claritin vs. Clarinex Indications
Claritin
Claritin is FDA-approved for temporary relief of sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes caused by seasonal or year-round allergies. It is also approved to relieve itching and hives from chronic idiopathic urticaria. It is not approved for cold symptoms or asthma.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis
Chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives)
Not approved for the common cold or asthma
Clarinex
Clarinex is FDA-approved to relieve nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, including sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. It is also approved for pruritus and hives from chronic idiopathic urticaria, with pediatric approval starting at 6 months for perennial rhinitis. A combination version, Clarinex-D, adds pseudoephedrine for congestion relief.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (age 2+)
Perennial allergic rhinitis (age 6 months+)
Chronic idiopathic urticaria (age 6 months+)
Combination Clarinex-D option for congestion
Claritin vs. Clarinex Pros and Cons
Claritin
Claritin offers effective, non-sedating allergy relief at a fraction of the cost of prescription alternatives, since it has been available over-the-counter for decades. Its main limitation is a simpler two-dose lineup, which offers less flexibility for very young children or those needing finer dose adjustments.
Pros
Available over-the-counter without a prescription
Roughly $5 to $20 per month, far less than Clarinex
Multiple OTC forms: tablet, chewable, ODT, syrup
Long track record of safety since 1993 approval
Cons
Not approved for children under 2
Fewer dose-strength options than Clarinex
Nervousness and abdominal pain reported in children
Clarinex
Clarinex provides similar non-sedating allergy relief and is approved for use in infants as young as 6 months. Its main drawback is cost: without insurance it typically runs roughly $270 to $300 per month, far more than Claritin's over-the-counter price.
Pros
Approved for infants as young as 6 months
Four dose strengths allow finer pediatric dosing
Also available as oral solution for young children
Combination Clarinex-D option for congestion
Cons
Requires a prescription, unlike Claritin
Roughly $270 to $300 per month without insurance
Not eliminated by hemodialysis if overdose occurs
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