Is it safe to take Claritin with antidepressants?

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

Millions of people rely on both allergy medication and antidepressants. For those managing both conditions, a critical question often arises: is it safe to take Claritin with antidepressants? The answer is generally yes, but it depends on the type of antidepressant [1.2.1, 1.2.2].

Quick Summary

An analysis of the interaction between the allergy medicine Claritin (loratadine) and various antidepressant classes. This covers SSRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs, highlighting general safety and when to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Key Points

General Safety: Claritin (loratadine), a non-sedating antihistamine, is generally considered safe to take with most antidepressants, including SSRIs [1.2.2].
Low Interaction Risk: As a second-generation antihistamine, Claritin is less likely to cause drowsiness or interact negatively with antidepressants compared to older options [1.2.1, 1.6.4].
First-Generation Caution: Older antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) are more likely to increase sedation and other side effects when mixed with antidepressants [1.6.3, 1.6.4].
MAOI and TCA Nuances: While generally safe, caution is advised with MAOIs and TCAs. Specifically, Claritin-D (with pseudoephedrine) must be avoided with MAOIs [1.5.2, 1.5.1].
Monitor for Side Effects: Though rare, be aware of potential increased dizziness or drowsiness and discuss any new symptoms with a doctor [1.3.2].
Professional Consultation is Essential: Always consult a doctor or pharmacist before combining any over-the-counter drug with a prescribed antidepressant [1.2.4].

Navigating medications for mental health and allergies requires careful consideration. While many over-the-counter drugs are safe, their interactions with prescription medications like antidepressants can vary. This article explores the specifics of combining Claritin with different antidepressant types.

What is Claritin (Loratadine)?

Claritin is the brand name for loratadine, a second-generation antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes [1.5.2]. Unlike first-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine is known for being non-drowsy because it doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier as readily [1.3.2]. This characteristic is crucial when considering its combination with other medications.

A Look at Antidepressant Classes

Antidepressants are categorized into several classes based on how they affect brain chemistry:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Examples include sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro). They work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain [1.6.4].
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), these increase both serotonin and norepinephrine [1.6.4].
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): An older class, including amitriptyline, which can have more significant side effects like drowsiness and dry mouth [1.6.4].
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Another older class, like phenelzine, which has strict dietary and medication restrictions due to the risk of severe interactions [1.5.2].

Claritin's Interaction with Different Antidepressants

Generally, non-sedating antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin) are considered a safe option for individuals taking antidepressants [1.2.2].

SSRIs and SNRIs: No major interactions are typically found between Claritin and common SSRIs like Zoloft (sertraline) or Lexapro (escitalopram) [1.2.4, 1.2.6]. The risk of serotonin syndrome, a condition caused by excessive serotonin, is not significantly associated with Claritin [1.3.2]. While any combination can theoretically enhance side effects like dizziness, it's less common with second-generation antihistamines [1.3.2, 1.6.4].
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): Combining TCAs with older, first-generation antihistamines can increase side effects like drowsiness and confusion [1.6.4]. However, using a newer, non-sedating antihistamine like Claritin is less likely to cause a problematic interaction [1.4.5]. Still, because TCAs themselves have anticholinergic properties (causing dry mouth, blurred vision), and loratadine has very mild ones, close monitoring under a doctor's care is wise [1.4.6].
MAOIs: This class requires the most caution. Second-generation antihistamines like loratadine are generally considered safe options for allergy sufferers on MAOIs because they lack significant interactions that could lead to hypertensive crises [1.5.1]. However, it is critical to avoid any combination product, such as Claritin-D, which contains the decongestant pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine can cause a dangerous drug interaction with MAOIs [1.5.2, 1.5.4].

Comparison Table: Claritin vs. Benadryl with Antidepressants


Feature	Claritin (Loratadine)	Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)	Interaction Risk with Antidepressants
Generation	Second-Generation	First-Generation	Benadryl has a higher interaction risk [1.6.3, 1.6.4].
Sedation	Low / Non-drowsy [1.3.2]	High [1.6.5]	Benadryl significantly increases sedative effects when combined with antidepressants that also cause drowsiness [1.6.4].
Anticholinergic Effects	Minimal	High	Benadryl can worsen side effects like dry mouth and constipation, which are also common with TCAs [1.6.3].
General Safety	Considered a safer choice for most antidepressant users [1.2.2].	Use with caution; may increase side effects and risk of serotonin syndrome with SSRIs [1.6.5].

The Golden Rule: Consult Your Healthcare Provider

While the evidence suggests Claritin is safe with most antidepressants, this information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new over-the-counter medication. They can assess your specific health situation, the exact antidepressant and dosage you are taking, and any other medications to provide the safest recommendation.

Conclusion

For individuals managing both allergies and depression, taking Claritin alongside an antidepressant is generally considered safe, particularly with modern SSRIs and SNRIs [1.2.2]. Its non-sedating profile makes it a better choice than older antihistamines [1.6.4]. However, the potential for interactions, especially with older drug classes like TCAs and MAOIs, means that a conversation with a healthcare provider is essential [1.5.1, 1.4.5]. This ensures both your mental health and allergy symptoms are managed effectively and safely.

For more detailed drug interaction information, you can visit Drugs.com [1.2.8].

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are no major known interactions between Claritin and SSRI antidepressants like Zoloft or Lexapro. It is generally considered a safe combination, but you should always consult your healthcare provider first [1.2.4, 1.2.6, 1.3.1].

While newer antihistamines like Claritin are less likely to cause issues than older ones, TCAs have their own side effects like drowsiness. Combining them could potentially increase these effects, so it should be done under medical supervision [1.4.5, 1.4.6].

Claritin (loratadine) itself is generally considered a safe antihistamine option for those on MAOIs [1.5.1]. However, you must avoid combination products like Claritin-D, as the decongestant pseudoephedrine can cause a dangerous hypertensive crisis with MAOIs [1.5.2].

Claritin is a non-drowsy antihistamine. While it is less likely to cause drowsiness than older antihistamines, some individuals may experience enhanced sedation when it's combined with an antidepressant that also causes drowsiness. Monitor how you feel and consult your doctor [1.3.2, 1.2.1].

Though a significant interaction is unlikely with Claritin, you should contact a healthcare professional if you experience severe dizziness, confusion, extreme drowsiness, blurred vision, or a rapid heart rate [1.3.2].

You must be very cautious with Claritin-D. Its decongestant component, pseudoephedrine, can interact dangerously with MAOI antidepressants and may reduce the effectiveness of some blood pressure medications that are sometimes prescribed alongside antidepressants [1.5.2, 1.4.4].

Yes, other second-generation antihistamines like fexofenadine (Allegra) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are also generally considered safe options to use with antidepressants. Like Claritin, they are preferred over first-generation antihistamines [1.2.2, 1.3.7].