Claritin: Description, Chemistry & Ingredients

Claritin is the brand name for loratadine which is the active ingredient in Claritin. (Loratadine is an antihistamine produced from the amino acid histidine causing dilution of blood vessels). It appears to be a powdery substance and its color ranges from white to off-white. It is not soluble in water, but dissolves easily and almost completely in acetone, alcohol and chloroform.

As far as chemical structure is concerned, the molecular weight (which is the weight gotten by totaling the weight of its constituent items) of this substance is 382.89. Its empirical formula is C22H23C|N2O2. Its actual chemical name is ethyl4-(8-chloro-5,6-dihydro-11H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridin-11-ylidene)-1-piperidinecarboxylate.

Claritin tablets contain 10 mg of loratadine, which is the principal constituent and they are meant for oral administration. The other substances present, which are largely inert, are corn starch, lactose, and magnesium stearate. Claritin syrup, which is meant largely for children, contains 1 mg of micronized loratadine for every ml of the syrup. It also contains citric acid, artificial flavor, glycerin, propylene glycol, sodium benzoate, sugar, and water. The solution is acidic in nature, with a pH value between 2.5 and 3.1.

Claritin RediTabs are another variation of the principal product, which are also to be administered orally. They contain 10 mg of micronized loratadine. The distinguishing characteristic of these tablets from the normal ones is that these disintegrate in the mouth almost as soon as they are placed on the tongue. Hence, it can be swallowed with or without water. It contains the following inert substances: citric acid, gelatin, mannitol and mint flavor.