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

Most common
somnolence (up to 8%)
fatigue (up to 4%)
dry mouth (up to 3%)
headache (up to 12%)

Clarinex

Most common
somnolence (up to 2.1%)
fatigue (up to 2.1%)
dry mouth (up to 3.0%)
pharyngitis (up to 4.1%)

Claritin vs. Clarinex Dosage

Claritin

Dosage
Dosage Table
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

Dosage
Dosage Table
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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