Claritin (drug name loratadine) is an antihistamine used mainly for seasonal allergies. It is a long acting tricyclic antihistamine with selective peripheral histamine H1 receptor antagonistic activity. What the heck does that mean?
We all know antihistamines.....they block the histamine released from immune cells in your body and the syptoms of allergies go away. Histamine receptors on cells have various types. Claritin works on the H-1 type of histamine receptor. It is what is termed and H1 antagonist. An antagonist means that it binds to a specific receptor and turns it off. This means that claritin binds to this specific receptor, mainly in the periphery, eg. not in the brain thus it doesn't make you sleepy. Now that these receptors are blocked, the mast cells can't release histamine and you feel better.
I can go into greater detail if there is interest.
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