Can you take Claritin and Mucinex together?
When you have a common cold, some of the symptoms you’re most likely to notice are nasal or chest connections, runny nose, cough, and fever. These symptoms are also common in an allergic reaction. And while there are drugs to help relieve these symptoms, some of these drugs cannot be taken together, while others can.
For instance, antihistamines are used mostly in the treatment of allergies, and expectorants are used to relieve congestion and cough due to the common cold. Claritin is a second-generation antihistamine and Mucinex an expectorant, and as we have seen, either can be used to treat the symptoms mentioned above, depending on the causing factor. But the question is, ‘can you take Claritin and Mucinex together?’
Yes or no? Keep reading, and you’ll find out.
WHAT ARE CLARITIN AND MUCINEX?
Just as we have said, Claritin is a second-generation antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergies such as runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, hives, and other upper respiratory allergies. Claritin is available as a prescription and also as an over-the-counter medicine. It comes in chewable tablet and liquid forms and contains Loratadine as its active ingredient.
It is available as Claritin and Claritin-D. Claritin-D is a combination of Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine and is used to both relieve allergies and also fight nasal congestion. On the other hand, Mucinex is an expectorant used to treat bronchiectasis, bronchitis, and cough. It is also available as an OTC medicine and contains Guaifenesin as an active ingredient.
Guaifenesin is currently the only FDA-approved expectant to be used in OTC treatments because it is safe. You can take Guaifenesin and most likely not experience any side effects. There are several Mucinex products containing guaifenesin and they come in the form of liquid, tablets, and granules.
However, there are some other Mucinex products that not only contain guaifenesin, but also acetaminophen or dextromethorphan as their active ingredients. Mucinex products with ‘DM’ in their names contain dextromethorphan which helps to suppress a cough as well as treat chest congestion.
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HOW DO CLARITIN AND MUCINEX WORK?
Claritin is an antihistamine and antihistamine works by stopping the body from producing a substance called histamine, which the body secretes when it’s exposed to an allergen or anything it is sensitive to. By blocking the release of this substance, Claritin helps relieve you of your allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itching, and other upper respiratory allergies.
Mucinex however, as an expectant helps clear mucus from your airways by breaking or reducing the thickness of the mucus, so the secretions from your airways are thinner, hence making it easier for you to cough up and be relieved of your congestion.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLARITIN AND MUCINEX?
| CLARITIN | MUCINEX | |
| Uses | It is used to treat:Allergic RhinitisUrticariaPhysical UrticariaAllergic Urticaria | It is used to provide temporary relief from cough due to the common cold, bronchitis, and other breathing illnesses |
| How to Use | It is taken orally, usually once a day. The tablet must be chewed before swallowing and if you’re taking the liquid form, use the dosing measuring device that comes with it, not your teaspoon. | It is taken orally, usually every 12 hours, with a full glass of water. Don’t crush or chew the tablet. |
| Side Effects | Common side effects of clarity may include headache, drowsiness, fatigue, nervousness, insomnia, and dizziness. You may also have symptoms of allergy such as rashes, hives, and swelling of lips, throat, or ankles. | Common side effects of Mucinex are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and dizziness. On a more serious side, it may cause severe gastrointestinal problems and kidney stones. |
| Drug Interactions | Claritin has been shown to interact with drugs such as opiates, thiazide diuretics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), sedatives, and other antihistamines. | There is no known drug interaction with Mucinex, however, let your doctor know of any medication, both prescription, OTC, or herbal remedies you may be using. |
CAN YOU TAKE CLARITIN AND MUCINEX TOGETHER?
Because there are no known interactions between clarity and Mucinex, both drugs can be taken together. While Claritin helps combat your allergy symptoms, Mucinex will help break up phlegm in your airways and relieve congestion.
However, always check for the content of any drug you may be taking as some antihistamines contain pain killers and decongestant agents, such as it is seen in Claritin-D, and considering that there are several Mucinex products, always read the bottle of your cough or allergy medicine before taking an OTC medication.
WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE CLARITIN AND MUCINEX TOGETHER?
Two of the most purchased OTC medicines in the United States are cough medicines and antihistamines. This is because sicknesses such as the common cold and flu are easily transmitted, and according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about 30% of adults and 40% of children in the United States have an allergy to at least 1 thing.
Because of how common these sicknesses are, and that Claritin and Mucinex are safe to be taken together, people tend to combine both drugs.
CAN YOU TAKE CLARITIN AND MUCINEX TOGETHER IN PREGNANCY?
For pregnant women, there are a lot of restrictions on what drugs they should and should not take, especially when it comes to OTC medicines. Only a few OTC cold medicines are regarded as safe for pregnant women, therefore, before beginning any treatment with OTC medicines, be sure your doctor approves of it, as unsafe OTC medicines can result in a lot of harm to your baby or both of you.
However, a study was carried out on 197 mother-child pairs, who were exposed to guaifenesin in the first trimester and the result showed an increase in inguinal hernias, a type of condition in which soft tissues such as part of the intestines protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. On the other hand, there is no known side effect to taking Claritin when pregnant, regardless, ask your doctor before using the drug.
CAN YOU TAKE CLARITIN AND MUCINEX TOGETHER WHILE BREASTFEEDING?
Loratadine and guaifenesin can both pass through the breastmilk, but in low quantity, so that there is no harm done to your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends loratadine while breastfeeding, as it is said to be safe for babies, however, doctors may not recommend this drug while breastfeeding if your baby has low birth weight, was born prematurely, or had health issues.
Nevertheless, even in good health, only a limited dose of loratadine is allowed while breastfeeding as a higher dose may prove to be problematic. The levels of guaifenesin that passes through the breast milk are expected not to cause any harm to infants, especially those over 2 months old.
CAN YOU TAKE CLARITIN AND MUCINEX TOGETHER WITH FLONASE?
Flonase is a corticosteroid, specifically of the glucocorticoid family of drugs, prescribed for the treatment of nasal symptoms such as runny nose, and nasal itching in adults and children who are 4 years or over. It is also used to control symptoms of both allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. Like Claritin and Mucinex, Flonase is also an OTC medicine, however, a nasal spray, unlike Claritin and Mucinex.
It is made with fluticasone as an active ingredient and is thought to work by controlling the release of prostaglandins and other substances that promotes inflammation and can also constrict blood vessels. Flonase can be taken with clarity and Mucinex as there are no known drug interactions between them. The only known drug interactions with Flonase are with Norvir and Nizoral.
Taking these drugs along with Flonase can potentially lead to an increase in blood concentration of Flonase, which can in turn result in an increased risk of side effects such as:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Back pain
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Nosebleeds
- Sores or white patches inside the mouth or around the nose
WARNINGS
Let your doctor or pharmacist know of any underlying medical conditions you may have, because taking Claritin and Mucinex under certain medical conditions may worsen the condition.
Let your doctor know if you have:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Gastrointestinal narrowing
- Diabetes
- PKU
- Glaucoma
Only take Claritin and Mucinex as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, not too much, not too little. In the case where you suspect an overdose, call for immediate medical help. Also, let your doctor before using Claritin and Mucinex, if you have previously had an allergic reaction to products containing loratadine or guaifenesin.
Guaifenesin may alter the results of some lab tests. Be sure lab personnel and all your doctors, including your dentist, knows of your use of Mucinex.
CONCLUSION
Claritin and Mucinex are OTC medications that can be prescribed to relieve symptoms of allergy or cough and congestion caused by the common cold, respectively. Can you take Claritin and Mucinex together? Since there are no known drug interactions between Claritin and Mucinex, they can be taken together. However, like every type of medication, it is best to seek your doctor’s approval before taking Claritin and Mucinex, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.