The distinction between both types of medication used for allergies that are Claritin and Claritin-D is based on several characteristics. It includes drug class, generic and brand status, medicine type, treatment given to which group of people, and treatment duration, which varies from person to person—the drug’s generic names, as well as the drug’s standard dose guidelines.
Claritin vs Claritin-D
The main difference between Claritin and Claritin-D lies in several factors such as class of drugs, their generic and brand status, a form of medication, treatment is given to which set of people, Treatment duration which depends from person to person, Generic names of the drug, Standard dosage criteria of both the drugs. Although both the drugs are used for the treatment of the same health problem, that is, allergies, they differ a bit from each other as well.
Claritin is an antihistamine that belongs to the second generation. Both the brand name and generic versions of Claritin are available. The medicine Claritin is known as “Loratadine” in its generic form. Claritin can be taken as a syrup, pills, tablets, or solution. The recommended daily dosage for everyone using Claritin is 10 mg. The drug, on the other hand, should be taken only once a day.
Claritin-D is an antihistamine from the second generation that belongs to the decongestant family. There are both brand and generic versions of Claritin-D. Claritin-D has two generic names: Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine, respectively. Claritin-D is commonly administered as pills that are taken orally and have a prolonged release. Claritin-D users are under the strict monitoring of their doctors. As a result, it might be either long or short.
Comparison Table Between Claritin and Claritin-D
| Parameters of Comparison | Claritin | Claritin-D |
| Class of Drug | Second generation Antihistamine | Decongestant and second-generation Antihistamine |
| Generic/Brand status | Generic and brand, both versions are available. | Both versions are available. |
| Drug Generic name | Loratadine | Pseudoephedrine or Loratadine. |
| Form of medication | Oral medication in the form of capsule, tablet, solution and syrup. | Extended-release, with oral tablets. |
| Standard dosage criteria | Daily 10mg, once a day. | Loratadine: 5mg, Pseudoephedrine: 120mg, once in every twelve hours. |
| Treatment duration | It can be used for the short term, or long term depends upon the doctor’s prescription. | The treatment completely depends upon the doctor’s direction. |
| Treatment Given to | Treatment is given to Kids above two years of age and adults. | Kids above twelve years of age and adults. |
What is Claritin?
Claritin is an antihistamine that belongs to the second generation of antihistamines. In the case of Claritin, both a brand name and a generic equivalent are accessible. “Loratadine” is the generic name for the Claritin medication.
Claritin is typically given as an oral drug in the form of syrup, capsules, tablets, or solutions. The standard dosage for everyone taking Claritin is set at 10mg per day. The drug, however, should only be used once a day.
The length of treatment for Claritin-treated individuals is determined by the patient’s condition and the doctor in charge. It can, however, be either short-term or long-term. Claritin is usually prescribed to adults and children over the age of two.
Even though both medications are used to treat the same health problem, allergies, they differ slightly from one another.
What is Claritin-D?
Claritin-D is a decongestant that also belongs to the second generation of antihistamines. Claritin-D is also available in both brand and generic forms. Claritin-D comes in two forms, each of which has a different generic name: Loratadine or Pseudoephedrine.
Claritin-D is often administered as pills that are taken orally and have a prolonged release time. Claritin-standard D’s dosage criteria are slightly different from Claritin’s.
The dosage of Pseudoephedrine is 120mg, which should be taken twice a day and only once every 12 hours, and the dosage of Loratadine is 5mg, which should be taken once every 12 hours or twice a day, just like Pseudoephedrine.
Those who have been prescribed Claritin-D must follow their doctor’s instructions to the letter. As a result, it could take a long or short time. All adults and children aged twelve and above are eligible for Claritin-D medication.
Main Differences Between Claritin and Claritin-D
- Claritin belongs to the family of the second generation of Antihistamine. On the other hand, Claritin-D belongs to the family of decongestants and also to the second generation of Antihistamines.
- In the case of Claritin medicine, both brand and generic versions are available. On the other hand, in the case of Claritin-D also, it is available in both Brand and generic versions.
- The generic name given to the Claritin drug is “Loratadine”. On the other hand, Claritin-D has two variants. Thus the drug is known by two generic names, either Loratadine or Pseudoephedrine.
- Claritin is usually taken in all the form of oral medications, which includes syrup, or in the form of capsules, tablets or solutions. On the other hand, Claritin-D is usually taken in the form of tablets, which are taken orally and also possess an extended release.
- The standard dosage criteria, which are set for everyone taking Claritin, is decided at 10mg every day. However, the medication should also be taken once a day only. On the other hand, the standard dosage criteria set by Claritin-D is slightly different from Claritin. Here, the dosage of Pseudoephedrine is set at 120mg, which should be taken two times in a day and only once in every twelve hours; and the dosage of Loratadine is set at 5mg, which should be taken just like Pseudoephedrine, once in 12 hours or twice a day
- The duration of treatment for the patients diagnosed with Claritin depends upon the condition of the patient and the concerned doctor. However, it can be either short term or long term as well. On the other hand, those diagnosed with Claritin-D are completely under their doctor’s supervision. Thus, it might take a long one or a short one as well.
- Usually, the adults and the kids, who are above two years of age, are given treatment with Claritin. On the other hand, All the adults and the kids who are of twelve years and above are eligible for the treatment given by Claritin-D.
Conclusion
Claritin-D has somewhat different standard dose requirements than Claritin. Pseudoephedrine dosage is 120mg, which should be taken twice a day and only once every twelve hours; and Loratadine dosage is 5mg, which should be taken once every 12 hours or twice a day, same as Pseudoephedrine.
Claritin-D can help adults and children aged twelve and up. However, the length of treatment for Claritin-treated individuals is determined by the patient’s health and the doctor who is treating them. It can, however, be both short and long term. Claritin is typically prescribed for adults and children over the age of two.
References
- https://europepmc.org/article/med/10099066
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-263X.2006.00713.x