Taking Claritin With Zarbee's Nighttime Cough Syrup
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not it is safe to take Claritin and Zarbee's cough syrup together.
Is it safe for my son (5 years old- 62 lbs) to take Children's Claritin Allergy along with Zarbee's Children Cough Syrup Nighttime? Thank you.
Aug 12, 2021- Claritin and Zarbee's Nighttime Cough Syrup have no reported drug interactions and are safe to take together.
- Claritin is a non-drowsy antihistamine that lasts around 24 hours per dose.
- Zarbee's Nighttime Cough Syrup contains dark honey to help reduce coughing, melatonin to support sleep, and grape seed extract.
Hello and thank you for your question!
We always appreciate our readers reaching out regarding potential drug interactions, especially when it involves over-the-counter medications for children.
Is There An Interaction?
There are no reported drug interactions between Claritin (loratadine), a second-generation antihistamine, and Zarbee's Nighttime Cough Syrup. They are considered safe to take together.
It is important to note that there are several Zarbee's Cough Syrup products on the market, but the good news is that none are considered to have any interactions with Claritin.
Claritin
Claritin is a second-generation antihistamine, used both for the treatment and prevention of seasonal allergy symptoms.
Second-generation antihistamines are noted for their long duration of action and their general lack of sedative effects. Other second-generation antihistamines include Allegra (fexofenadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine).
Claritin specifically, will last around 24 hours per dose and is non-drowsy.
Zarbee's Nighttime Cough Syrup
Zarbee's Nighttime Cough Syrup contains the following ingredients:
- Dark honey
- Melatonin
- Grapefruit seed extract
Below is an image of the 'Supplement Facts' label:
Dark honey is very similar to 'regular' honey but is thought to contain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It's included in this product to help reduce the frequency and severity of coughing. It can reduce throat irritation as well.
Several studies support the fact that honey can help with coughing in children, and, it appears to be just as effective as the over-the-counter cough suppressant, dextromethorphan.
Zarbee's Nighttime Cough Syrup also contains melatonin, a hormone that humans naturally produce. Melatonin plays an important role in our sleep/wake cycle and is very commonly included in over-the-counter sleep aids as a natural alternative to other drugs, like Benadryl.
Finally, Zarbee's Nighttime Cough Syrup includes grape seed extract. It has a variety of uses and is generally thought to help increase the absorption of various vitamins and minerals.
Final Words
To re-emphasize, none of the above ingredients contained in Zarbee's Nighttime Cough Syrup have any listed or reported interactions with Claritin. You can feel safe using them together.
Thanks so much for your question!
References & sources
- Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents — PubMed
- A comparison of the effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine on nightly cough and sleep quality in children and their parents — PubMed
- Loratadine Monograph — PubChem
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks the effects of histamine to reduce allergy symptoms like sneezing and itching.
- Second-generation antihistamine
- A newer type of antihistamine designed to work for longer periods and cause less drowsiness than older versions.
- Sedative effects
- The tendency of a medication to cause drowsiness or make a person sleepy.
- Cough suppressant
- A medication that reduces or stops coughing.
- Dextromethorphan
- A common over-the-counter ingredient used to suppress coughs.
- Melatonin
- A natural hormone produced by the body that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles.
- Antioxidants
- Substances that help protect cells from damage caused by harmful molecules in the body.
- Drug interactions
- Unwanted changes that occur when two or more medications are taken together and affect how each other works.
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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