Potential Risks and FAQs about Mixing Claritin and Alcohol

Ahhhhhh choo! 

Spring has sprung — and brought your allergies right along with it. 

Claritin is working great for knocking out your itchy eyes and incessant sneezing, but you’ve planned a night on the town and wonder, “Can you take Claritin and alcohol together?”

Here we cover the facts, including how Claritin and alcohol work in your body, the risks and side effects of combining the two, and where to find professional help if you’re struggling with alcohol abuse. 

Table of Contents

• Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Claritin?
• Why It Isn’t Safe to Mix Alcohol and Claritin 
• Other Risk Factors To Consider When Combining Claritin With Alcohol
• 5 Potential Harmful Side Effects of Taking Claritin While Drinking Alcohol
• Common FAQs About Alcohol and Claritin
• Choose Dove Recovery for Compassionate and Comprehensive Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Mixing alcohol and Claritin is not recommended. 

Both alcohol and Claritin have depressive effects on the central nervous system, and mixing the two can make side effects more severe. Also, alcohol affects how your body processes medicine, making Claritin less effective as an allergy medication. 

Claritin is a popular over-the-counter medication used to relieve allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and itchy or watery eyes. 

It contains two active ingredients: 

• Pseudoephedrine: a decongestant that reduces nasal congestion
• Loratadine: an antihistamine that helps alleviate allergy symptoms like sneezing and itching 

Claritin’s main ingredient, loratadine, is a newer, second-generation antihistamine. This is important because medications in this category tend to affect the central nervous system less and cause fewer side effects than first-generation antihistamines like Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton. 

It’s important to note, however, that each person is different, and reactions may vary. 

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The metabolism of Claritin and alcohol involves complex biochemical pathways. When these two substances mix in your body, they can influence each other. 

The metabolization of alcohol occurs mainly in your liver. Here, it’s converted to acetaldehyde by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), then further metabolized to acetyl-CoA and acetic acid. The metabolization process is influenced by several factors, including:

• How much and how quickly you’re drinking
• Whether you have food in your stomach
• Individual genetic variations in ADH

Claritin is also metabolized in your liver. When the two are combined, Claritin's side effects can be exacerbated, which can lead to side effects and liver strain.

Mixing Claritin and alcohol may have increased risks if you suffer from: 

• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Thyroid problems
• Alcohol use disorder
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Enlarged prostate

Older adults and women are more likely to experience serious reactions from alcohol/medication interactions, including Claritin.

#1: Dizziness

While you're not likely to suffer from severe dizziness when taking Claritin alone, combining the two may be a whole different story.

Since alcohol depresses your central nervous system, combining Claritin and alcohol can boost the sedative effects, causing you to feel off-balance, lightheaded, or faint. This is especially hazardous if you need to perform tasks that require extreme focus, drive, or operate heavy equipment.

#2: Drowsiness

Claritin is considered a non-drowsy antihistamine, but combining it with alcohol can change that. Since alcohol is a sedative, when it’s mixed with Claritin, it can make you feel extra sleepy and sluggish. This loss of full concentration can up the risk of falls, accidents, and injuries, especially if you’re an older adult or have other health issues.

#3: Impaired Motor Control

Alcohol already slows down your reaction time and coordination, and adding Claritin into the mix may enhance these effects. You may find you’re clumsier, have slower reaction times, and struggle to complete tasks that require fine motor skills. The result of combined alcohol and Claritin may put you at increased risk for tripping, mishandling tools or equipment, and driving.

#4: Liver Stress

Your liver is in charge of processing both Claritin and alcohol, and when they’re combined, your liver has to work overtime to break them down. This added liver strain can eventually lead to liver inflammation or damage, particularly if you’re a heavy drinker or have a pre-existing liver condition. 

#5: Risk of Overdose

Claritin is generally considered to be safe at recommended doses. However, combining Claritin and alcohol may increase the risk of taking too much.

Alcohol easily impairs your judgment and can cause you to be confused about how much medication you’ve taken. Overdosing on Claritin can result in serious symptoms, including: 

• A rapid heartbeat
• Severe drowsiness
• Central nervous system depression

Is It Okay To Drink One or Two Drinks When Taking Claritin?

Since everyone reacts differently to antihistamines, it’s impossible to tell how one or two drinks will interact with Claritin in your body. You may become extremely drowsy, or you may feel perfectly normal.

To play it safe, avoid alcohol until you know how Claritin affects you. If you decide to combine a few drinks of alcohol and Claritin, ensure there’s someone with you in case you have a negative reaction.

How Long Should I Wait To Drink After Taking Claritin?

In general, it’s recommended that you wait to drink at least 24 hours after taking Claritin or until the Claritin is no longer in your system.

Are There Any Allergy Medicines I Can Take While Drinking Alcohol?

Since each person is unique, the answer depends on your metabolism and your allergy symptoms. Always consult with your physician before combining medications like Claritin with alcohol.

Depending on the type of allergies you have, there are a few alternatives to oral antihistamines that may prove helpful, including:

• Eye drops: This includes over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops, like Zaditor or Pataday, and are designed to help with itchy or watery eyes due to allergies. 
• Antihistamine nasal sprays: These nasal sprays help with sneezing and a runny or itchy nose and include Astepro (over-the-counter) and Patanase (prescription).
• Steroid nasal sprays: Steroid options include Flonase Allergy Relief or Nasonex and are generally available over the counter. 
• Decongestant nasal sprays: This includes sprays like Afrin and should be used for no more than three days in a row.

When Should I Seek Medical Attention?

Seek medical help immediately if you have any of the following symptoms after combining Claritin and alcohol:

• Feeling disconnected from reality
• Extreme drowsiness
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Trouble breathing

If you’re suffering from alcohol use disorder, there's help.

Dove Recovery offers empathetic alcohol addiction treatment in Columbus, Ohio, from professionals interested in seeing you succeed in every step of your recovery. 

Our alcohol treatment programs include:

• Intensive outpatient 
• Partial hospitalization 
• Outpatient 
• Detox 

Dove Recovery accepts most major insurance, and we’re happy to verify your insurance ahead of time so you’ll know what’s covered.

Contact us today for more information.