Claritin (loratadine) is taken once a day, with a maximum of 10 mg in any 24-hour period. That single daily dose provides around-the-clock allergy relief, and taking it more frequently won’t improve your symptoms but can increase the risk of side effects.
Standard Dosing for Adults and Children
For adults and children 6 years and older, the dose is one 10 mg tablet or capsule once per day. This applies to all standard Claritin forms: regular tablets, chewable tablets, and liquid-filled capsules. Do not take more than one dose in a 24-hour window, even if your symptoms feel like they’re breaking through before the day is up.
For children ages 2 to 5, the typical dose is 5 mg once daily, usually given as a liquid syrup or chewable tablet. Children under 2 should not take Claritin unless specifically directed by a pediatrician.
Claritin-D Has Different Schedules
Claritin-D combines loratadine with a nasal decongestant (pseudoephedrine) and comes in two versions with different timing. The 12-hour version contains 5 mg of loratadine and is taken every 12 hours, so up to two tablets per day. The 24-hour version contains 10 mg and is taken once daily. Neither version should exceed its labeled frequency. Claritin-D is only approved for adults and children 12 and older.
What If You Miss a Dose
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s already close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and just take the next dose on time. Never double up to make up for a missed dose.
Why You Shouldn’t Take Extra Doses
Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine, meaning it was designed to work for a full 24 hours with minimal drowsiness. Taking it more often than once a day doesn’t give you stronger allergy relief. Instead, it raises your risk of side effects like headache, dry mouth, and drowsiness. In higher amounts, antihistamine overdose can cause rapid heart rate, extreme sleepiness, and other complications.
The general rule with all antihistamines, even over-the-counter ones: do not increase the dose and do not take doses closer together than the label directs.
Adjustments for Liver or Kidney Problems
If you have significant liver disease or reduced kidney function, your body clears loratadine more slowly, which means the drug stays active longer. The FDA-approved labeling recommends that these patients take 10 mg every other day instead of daily. For children ages 2 to 5 with liver or kidney problems, the adjusted dose is 5 mg every other day. If either situation applies to you, the standard once-daily schedule is too frequent.
Best Time of Day to Take It
There’s no official recommendation for morning versus evening. Most people take Claritin in the morning so it’s fully active during peak daytime allergen exposure, but if your symptoms are worst at night, an evening dose works just as well. The important thing is consistency. Pick a time that’s easy to remember and stick with it so you maintain steady coverage without accidentally doubling up.
Can You Take Claritin Every Day Long-Term
Yes. Loratadine is considered safe for daily use over extended periods, which is why it’s a go-to choice for seasonal and year-round allergies. Unlike first-generation antihistamines (like diphenhydramine), it doesn’t cause significant drowsiness in most people, making it practical for ongoing daily use. Many people take it throughout an entire allergy season or even year-round for persistent allergic rhinitis without needing to increase the dose or cycle off.
If you find that one Claritin per day isn’t controlling your symptoms well enough, the solution isn’t to take more. A better approach is adding a different type of allergy treatment, like a nasal corticosteroid spray, or switching to a different antihistamine entirely.