Loratadine and hypertension

[minerva]

Can anyone substantiate the claim made on this website about the
connection between Loratadine and high blood pressure?

http://riskybloodpressure.com/category/claritin

I have always had below normal blood pressure (100/70 or so), but
recently I noticed that it's been increasing, sometimes as high as
120/90. Then I realized that the only thing that had changed is that
I started taking Claritin around the time I noticed the rise. I'm
going to stop taking it for a few days and see if my blood pressure
goes back down. If it does, I'll have to conclude that's what's
causing it.

In that case, I will be really screwed, because Claritin is the only
antihistamine I've been able to take that works and doesn't cause bad
side effects (unless I find out it's causing my blood pressure rise,
in which case it goes into the 'bad side effects' category).

I'll post my results in a couple of days. Meanwhile, anyone have
access to clinical trial data for Loratadine that supports this guy's
assertion? The package insert says, of course, to consult your doctor
if you have high blood pressure, but it doesn't tell you why... maybe
this is why?

M9

[Shirley ann]

I take Claritin and have been taking it a couple of years. My BP is on
the low side.
Sometimes it is as low 100/60.

shirleyann

[minerva]

It's been five days since my last dose of Claritin, and my blood
pressure has dropped from a high reading of 120/90 to my normal
100/70. I know that Claritin is not 'legally' associated with an
increase in blood pressure, but in my case, it did cause my blood
pressure to rise.

Unfortunately, Claritin was my 'last gasp' antihistamine, so it
appears the only option open to me now is immunotherapy (allergy
shots). I don't really mind doing the shots, if that's my only
option, and would in fact welcome being rid of my allergies for good,
which seems to be the result in the majority of immunotherapy cases.
I just find it odd that there are many anecdotal reports of
antihistamines causing a rise in blood pressure, but no 'official'
links to the fact. Maybe I'm just a one in a million weirdo who is
affected this way by them, who knows?

Anyway, I'm glad it was something reversible. If anyone else has
noticed a blood pressure increase while taking Loratadine, it might be
worth going off it for a few days and seeing if your pressure goes
down. I found reports from several people (on the internet) who had
increased pressure with Loratadine, so it's not just me...

M9

[deana...@gmail.com]

I have been taking Claritin for almost a month now and my BP is through the roof! It also used to be normal or even normal than low. I have been freaking out because I am under so much stress and figured this was the culprit. My doctor has out my on BP meds now and it is even high with this also. I'm ticked off I'm having to take meds for BP. I'm 49 and have avoided this thus far. I don't even use salt or anything. Now I am wondering if it's the Claritin!!! I'll stop it for a couple of days and see if it returns to normal. If so, I'll know it's the Claritin and not me losing my mind!!! It is had been ridiculously high. Like 180/102. When usually always 111 or so over 72 or so. I can't imagine what it would be if I weren't taking the BP meds!!! Thank you for sharing your story. :)

[summerf...@gmail.com]

Hi, I just noticed the same issue after 2 wkS of using Claritin. Thought it was a fluke, as my BP went down after 15 mins, but still a little high. Just did my BP again, one month later and it is giving me the same increased numbers. I’m stopping Claritin today and I’ll see how my BP is after a week. I’m hoping this is the cause. I can deal with the allergies.

[summerf...@gmail.com]

Did you BP go back to normal?