When Can You Take Claritin After Taking Benadryl?

by Editorial Staff | Updated on July 11th, 2022

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that help alleviate allergy symptoms include Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Claritin (Loratadine). They are both antihistamines and should not be used at the same time.

Claritin, also known as Loratadine, is offered under various brand names, including Claratyne and Clarityn. This medication is widely used to treat a variety of allergies in individuals.

Although Benadryl and Claritin function similarly, they are not the same type of medication.

When Can Claritin Be Taken After Benadryl?

Claritin (Loratadine) is a second-generation antihistamine that does not produce drowsiness. They are an excellent choice for treating seasonal allergies because each dose lasts about 24 hours and does not produce drowsiness. It is available in a variety of tablet and syrup forms. It is also available as an oral suspension. The drug’s bioavailability is approximately 100%, and it is one of the most effective drugs for treating medical disorders. 

This medication is most commonly recommended for individuals suffering from allergies caused by numerous infectious infections.

What is Benadryl?

Diphenhydramine is marketed under the trade name Benadryl. It is a first-generation antihistamine that can be used to alleviate allergy symptoms. Benadryl is also useful for treating sleeplessness, motion sickness, and parkinsonism. It is typically administered every 4 to 6 hours.

What is Claritin?

Loratadine HCl is marketed under the trade name Claritin. It is a second-generation antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

The Time Difference Between Claritin and Benadryl’s Effect

• 12 hours: There are few negative effects. However, the effectiveness is modest.
• 24 hours: One or two minor side effects with improved effectiveness

Because of the risks, it is not recommended to use Claritin and Benadryl together. If Benadryl is given twelve hours after Claritin, the adverse effects are minimal, but the effectiveness is quite poor.

Common Benadryl and Claritin side effects

Antihistamines frequently produce central nervous system adverse effects (CNS). Drowsiness, sleepiness, dizziness, headache, and loss of coordination are common CNS adverse effects of antihistamines such as Benadryl and Claritin. However, Benadryl, a first-generation antihistamine, has greater CNS adverse effects than newer antihistamines.

Other Benadryl and Claritin side effects include dry mouth, painful throat, and skin rashes. These medications may also produce adverse digestive effects, including nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.

The majority of antihistamine side effects are moderate and acceptable. However, side effects vary depending on how a person reacts to the medicine and may be different for everyone.

Benadryl with Claritin Warnings

If you have had an adverse response to any of the active substances listed on the packaging, do not take Benadryl or Claritin. If you are allergic to the drug, using it may induce a hypersensitivity reaction, such as difficulty breathing or a severe rash.

Because antihistamines might cause drowsiness, they should be avoided when performing specific tasks, such as driving a car or operating machinery.

Benadryl is not suggested for senior people aged 65 and over. This is because taking Benadryl may raise your chances of developing dementia or cognitive impairment, psychosis, and fainting.

If you have asthma, liver, or renal disease, always see your doctor before using Benadryl or Claritin.

Are Benadryl and Claritin interchangeable?

No. Benadryl and Claritin are not interchangeable. However, Benadryl operates differently compared to Claritin and has a distinct adverse effect profile.

Is it preferable to take Benadryl or Claritin?

For allergic rhinitis and associated allergy symptoms, Claritin is typically preferred over Benadryl. Both medications are effective, but Claritin has fewer sedative side effects. In addition, Claritin has to be taken once daily, which some individuals may prefer.

Is it OK to take Benadryl or Claritin when pregnant?

In general, Benadryl and Claritin are safe to take throughout pregnancy. According to the CDC, most antihistamines have not been proven to cause birth abnormalities.

Can I take Benadryl or Claritin while drinking alcohol?

Antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritin should not be used with alcohol when these medications are used with alcohol, the risk of side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness increases.

Is it OK to take Claritin and Benadryl together? Is it OK to take Benadryl 12 hours after taking Claritin?

It is not advised to use Claritin and Benadryl at the same time. Taking these together may increase undesirable outcomes because they have comparable side effects. Because Claritin has a somewhat lengthy half-life, taking Benadryl 12 hours after Claritin may be unsafe. Before using them, seek medical advice from a doctor.

How long does it take Benadryl to take effect?

Within 2 hours, Benadryl reaches peak levels in the bloodstream. The effects of Benadryl, on the other hand, maybe felt considerably sooner.

Is Claritin truly effective for 24 hours?

Yes. Claritin is a daily medication whose effects might last up to 24 hours. Loratadine has a half-life of around 10 hours, and its active metabolite des-carboethoxy loratadine has a half-life of up to 28 hours.

Do you find that Claritin keeps you awake at night?

In most cases, Claritin does not induce sleeplessness. However, Claritin-D, which includes pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), may induce insomnia. This is because pseudoephedrine is a stimulant decongestant.

Conclusion

Finally, it is possible to infer that Claritin is a medication used to treat individuals suffering from medical disorders such as allergies. It is quite efficient and is also regarded as safe by medical specialists all around the world.

To avoid adverse effects, a patient should wait at least twenty hours between taking Claritin and Benadryl. It has been shown that when both of these treatments are used concurrently, the risks of harmful effects rise. However, it is always best to seek the advice of a medical practitioner first.

Editorial Staff

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