Question:
Can I take Claritin D after surgery without crushing?

My Claritin D 12 HR pill is very hard and a little bigger than an asprin. I take it for chronic sinus problem.Does anyone else take this without problems? I am having the RNY on 12/05/02. Thank You Nancy Poe    — NANCY P. (posted on November 25, 2002)

November 25, 2002
They make a Claritin Redi-Tab that dissolves, my kids and I take it. It dissolves right on your tongue and works awesome! Good Luck!
   — Stephanie B.

November 25, 2002
Aloha!!! After surgery, I was intructed to resume taking all of my medications. WELL, the dilemma was that I was on 24 medications a day.. and had to take about 32 pills!!! I was very nervous about this.....but my surgeon reassured me I would be fine. And I was!!! I was able to swallow all of my medications without problem. One of them was my allergy medication, Allegra D, which was a huge horse pill!! I am happy to report that after a couple of months, I was taken off all my medications but can still swallow pills if necessary!!! You should have no problems swallowing it.. and there is no need to crush it. You will be fine!!! Good luck!! Hugs, Kathie (in Hawaii).. Open RNY /08-07-02 Down 93 Pounds!!!!
   — KathieInHawaii

November 25, 2002
i take claritin with no problems. you might want to talk to the pharmasicts though because any medications that are time released do not work with our pouches. i had to change my anti depressants and my claritin.
   — candymom64

November 25, 2002
My surgeon told me not to bother--Claritin D is a time release med and you won't keep it in your stomach long enough to release! I don't have a need to breathing meds and haven't since surgery. Liquid Claritin has way too much sugar--you'll hurl if you use it!
   — jenn2002

November 25, 2002
I took Claritn also after surgery and found it in the disable form just put it under your tongue and it melts. I am not sure if it was claritan d or just reg claritan. Worked great for me.
   — paulsgirl

November 25, 2002
Nancy, hi I'm a pharmacist, and you do NOT want to crush Claritin D, it would dump way too much of the decongestant into your system all at once, which could increase your heart rate/blood pressure way too much. As others have said there is a Claritin Reditab that you can use (doesn't have the decongestant), and you could get plain over the counter Sudafed if you need the decongestant as it's very small. And all Claritin products are going over the counter (no prescription needed) sometime in December. good luck.
   — Kristy L.