How Many Times A Day Can You Take Claritin (Loratadine)?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses how many times per day you can safely take Claritin (loratadine).
How many times per day can you take Claritin (loratadine)? I feel that sometimes it doesn't last all day.
May 20, 2022- Claritin 10 mg should be taken once daily, while the 5 mg form can be taken twice daily for ages 6 and older.
- Children ages 2 to 6 should only take 5 mg once daily, not twice daily.
- If Claritin doesn't seem to work for a full 24 hours, talk to your doctor before increasing the dose above 10 mg daily.
Claritin (loratadine) is a second-generation antihistamine and is most commonly dosed as 10 mg once daily (every 24 hours).
However, it is also available in 5 mg dosage forms, which can be taken twice daily (every 12 hours).
So, overall, any Claritin product that is 10 mg should only be taken once a day. Any product that is 5 mg can be taken twice a day.
The only exception to this is for adolescents between 2 and 6 years old. For this age group, 5 mg is the maximum daily dose and it should only be taken once daily (every 24 hours).
Claritin (Loratadine) Dosing Based On Age
- Ages 2 to 6: 5mg once every 24 hours.
- Ages 6 and over (including adults): 10mg once every 24 hours OR 5mg every 12 hours.
Below is the list of Claritin products and their indicated doses for ages 6 and older:
- Claritin 10mg tablets (one tablet every 24 hours)
- Claritin 5mg RediTabs (one tablet every 12 hours or 2 tablets every 24 hours)
- Claritin 10mg RediTabs (one tablet every 24 hours)
- Claritin-D 12 Hour (one tablet every 12 hours)
- Claritin-D 24 Hour (one tablet every 24 hours)
- Claritin Chewables 5mg (one tablet every 12 hours or two tablets every 24 hours)
- Claritin Syrup (one teaspoon every 24 hours)
Higher Doses
Although the maximum daily dose for loratadine approved by the FDA is 10mg, some studies show that higher doses can be safe and effective.
One study reported that 40mg per day (four times the recommended dose) was effective at treating severe itching and rashes, with minimal side effects. The study concluded:
Up-dosing antihistamines higher than fourfold dosage seems a feasible therapeutic option with regards to effectiveness and safety. The need for third line therapies could be decreased by 49%, with a very limited increase of reported side effects.
So, higher doses of Claritin may be an option for some people, especially if you feel it is not lasting over 24 hours per dose, but you should not take over 10mg daily without speaking to your doctor.
Additional Information
If you feel Claritin isn't working for a full 24 hours, it isn't recommended to increase the dose over 10 mg without first consulting with your doctor.
A better option may be to add a different class of medication on top of your daily Claritin for best allergy control. Options include:
- Nasal corticosteroids (e.g. Flonase, Nasacort)
- Mast cell stabilizer (e.g. Cromolyn nasal spray)
Both of the above options can help better control your allergy symptoms.
Thanks again for your question!
References & sources
- Effectiveness and safety of antihistamines up to fourfold or higher in treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria — Clinical and Translational Allergy
- Loratadine (Clarityn) — NHS
- Loratadine Monograph — PubChem
- Loratadine (SCH29851) 40 mg Once Daily versus Terfenadine 60 mg Twice Daily in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis — SagePub
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks histamine, a chemical in the body that causes allergy symptoms like itching and sneezing.
- Second-generation antihistamine
- A newer type of antihistamine that is less likely to cause drowsiness than older antihistamines.
- Dosage
- The amount of medication taken at one time or over a specific period.
- FDA
- The Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. government agency that approves medications as safe and effective.
- Chronic spontaneous urticaria
- A condition where the skin repeatedly breaks out in itchy hives without a clear trigger, lasting for weeks or months.
- Mast cell stabilizer
- A medication that prevents mast cells from releasing histamine, reducing allergy symptoms.
- Nasal corticosteroids
- Anti-inflammatory medications sprayed in the nose to relieve allergy and congestion symptoms.
- RediTabs
- Tablets that dissolve quickly in the mouth without needing water to swallow.
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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