Can You Take Claritin And Benzonatate Together?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not it is safe to take Claritin and benzonatate together.
Can Claritin be taken with benzonatate?
Mar 07, 2023- Claritin and benzonatate are safe to take together because they have different mechanisms of action and do not interact with each other.
- Benzonatate has no reported drug interactions and does not affect how your body processes other medications.
- You can use these medications together without concern if benzonatate has been prescribed to you for cough relief.
Quick Answer
There is no known interaction between Claritin (loratadine) and benzonatate. They are considered safe to take together.
Detailed Answer
Hello and thanks for contacting us!
Claritin (loratadine), a second-generation antihistamine, and benzonatate (generic for Tessalon), a cough suppressant, are typically considered safe to take together.
These drugs have different mechanisms of action and do not interact with each other in a way that can cause adverse effects, as far as is known.
In fact, benzonatate has no reported drug interactions listed in the FDA-approved prescribing information for the drug.
The lack of drug interactions with benzonatate is likely due to the fact that it does not affect CYP metabolizing enzymes in the liver, does not affect the absorption of other drugs, and is generally very well-tolerated at the usually prescribed dosages. It isn't thought to have any sort of additive effects when combined with Claritin.
If benzonatate has been prescribed to you and you are taking Claritin to help prevent allergies, you can feel safe using them together.
Final Words
Thanks so much for reaching out to us!
It's always a good idea to check into potential interactions, especially when OTC medications, like Claritin, are involved.
Fortunately, in this situation, there is no interaction to be concerned about.
References & sources
- Tessalon Prescribing Information — AccessFDA
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks histamine, a chemical in the body that causes allergy symptoms like itching and sneezing.
- Cough suppressant
- A medication that reduces or stops coughing by affecting the cough reflex in the brain.
- Mechanisms of action
- The specific ways a drug works in the body to produce its effects.
- Adverse effects
- Unwanted or harmful side effects that occur from taking a medication.
- Drug interactions
- Changes in how a medication works when taken together with another drug.
- CYP metabolizing enzymes
- Proteins in the liver that break down most medications so the body can eliminate them.
- Additive effects
- When two medications combined produce a stronger effect than each would produce alone.
- Prescribing information
- Official FDA-approved documentation that describes a drug's uses, dosages, side effects, and interactions.
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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