Claritin is an antihistamine, which means it blocks histamine from binding to histamine receptors and causing allergy symptoms. Since histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of allergies, blocking it can be helpful.
According to medical researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, most people can safely take products containing pseudoephedrine. Dr. Italo Biaggioni, Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the Vanderbilt Clinical Trials Center, notes that some patients may not know they are susceptible to the drug's effects when they take over-the counter medications. At typical doses of 30 milligrams, there's only a slightly chance that pseudoephedrine will raise blood pressure. Extended-release allergy and cold medications, however, can have up to four times that amount, or 120 milligrams. Many allergy and cold medications contain pseudoephedrine; it's not only in Claritin and Claritin D.
If your body will tolerate other choices, most doctors will recommend chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine as drugs more suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you can take these medications for just the first trimester, your doctor will usually be more comfortable with you going back on Claritin to keep your symptoms under control. If you cannot tolerate other drugs, you and your doctor will have to weigh the risks and benefits of continuing the medication. In short, Claritin is safe during pregnancy though other drugs are preferred first choices. Though Claritin is best taken after the first trimester, no birth defects are associated with the drug.
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