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.

Question

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.

Asked by Mom On Aug 12, 2021

Answered by
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Published Aug 12, 2021
Last updated Mar 29, 2024

Key points

  • There are no reported interactions between Claritin (loratadine) and Zarbee's Nighttime Cough Syrup. They are considered safe to take together.

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:

Zarbees Nighttime Cough Syrup Supplement Facts

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

  • 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

About the Pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.

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