Can You Overdose On Claritin (Loratadine)?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not it is possible to overdose on Claritin (loratadine).
Is it possible to overdose on Claritin? I accidentally took 3 tablets and wanted to know if I should be concerned.
May 30, 2022- Claritin has a very wide safety range and accidental overdoses with a tablet or two extra typically do not cause significant side effects for most people. Possible overdose symptoms include sleepiness, increased heart rate, and headache. If you think you have overdosed on Claritin, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Yes, like any medication, you can overdose on Claritin (loratadine) if you take too much.
However, Claritin has a very wide dosage range when it comes to toxicity/serious adverse effects and is, overall, a relatively safe medication.
Accidentally taking too much (i.e. a tablet or two more than directed) should not cause significant side effects for most individuals.
The prescribing information for Claritin notes the possible side effects of an over-dosage, which include:
- Somnolence (i.e. sleepiness)
- Increased heart rate
- Headache
The prescribing information also notes that a single acute ingestion of 160 mg (16 adult strength tablets) produced no adverse effects in one adult case.
Nevertheless, it offers the following recommendations in the case where an overdose occurs:
"In the event of overdosage, treatment, which should be started immediately, is symptomatic and supportive. Consider standard measures to remove any unabsorbed drug in the stomach, such as adsorption by activated charcoal administered as a slurry with water. The administration of gastric lavage should be considered. Physiologic saline solution is the lavage solution of choice, particularly in children. In adults, tap water can be used; however, as much as possible of the amount administered should be removed before the next instillation."
There have been no cases of death from a Claritin overdose.
In fact, one case report of a 6-year-old child who ingested 300mg of Claritin (30 tablets) resulted in only a minor elevation of blood pressure and heart rate.
Although data suggests that accidental overdoses will cause only mild, if any, side effects, there could certainly be factors that increase the risk of adverse events such as concomitant medications and disease states.
Lastly, it is important to know that assistance is available if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or has spoken about overdosing on medication. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline hotline is 1-800-273-8255.
If you feel you have overdosed on Claritin or any other medication, it is strongly recommended to call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222).
References & sources
- Claritin Prescribing Information — AccessFDA
- High-dose loratadine exposure in a six-year-old child. — Europe PMC
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Loratadine
- The active ingredient in Claritin, a type of antihistamine medication used to treat allergies.
- Adverse effects
- Unwanted or harmful reactions that occur as a result of taking a medication.
- Somnolence
- A medical term for sleepiness or drowsiness.
- Symptomatic and supportive
- Medical treatment focused on relieving symptoms and providing general care rather than treating the underlying cause.
- Adsorption by activated charcoal
- A medical procedure where a porous substance is used to bind and remove unabsorbed drugs from the stomach.
- Gastric lavage
- A medical procedure that involves washing out the stomach contents using a solution.
- Concomitant medications
- Other drugs that a person takes at the same time as their primary medication.
- Acute ingestion
- Taking a large amount of a substance all at once, rather than over a period of time.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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