What is the difference between Claritin and Sudafed?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 31, 2022.
Claritin and Sudafed belong to different classes of drugs. Claritin is an antihistamine and Sudafed is a decongestant. They are both used to treat allergy and hayfever symptoms such as runny nose. However, Claritin is also used to treat allergic skin reactions such as such as hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions, whereas Sudafed is used to treat nasal and sinus congestion.
Claritin (loratadine) is an antihistamine that reduces the effect of the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Claritin is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose and itching of the nose and throat. Claritin is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions.
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose). Pseudoephedrine is used to treat nasal and sinus congestion, or congestion of the tubes that drain fluid from your inner ears, called the eustachian tubes.
For more information click on:
Related medical questions
- What are the most common skin conditions? (with photos)
- Zyrtec vs Claritin: Which is more effective for allergies?
- Allegra vs Claritin: Which is more effective for allergies?
- Can you give loratadine to dogs?
- Can I take Claritin with Mucinex DM?
- How long can I take Claritin?
- How do you choose the right allergy medication?
- Why do you take Claritin with Neulasta?
- Can you take 10mg of loratadine twice a day?
- Can you take antihistamines when pregnant?
- What OTC drugs relieve tripledemic symptoms in kids?
Drug information
- Claritin Information for Consumers
- Claritin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Claritin (detailed)