Claritin (Loratadine) and Breast Swelling
Loratadine (Claritin) is not known to cause breast swelling and is considered safe for use, with no documented association between this antihistamine and breast enlargement in clinical practice or medical literature. 1
Evidence Supporting Safety
The available evidence demonstrates that loratadine does not cause breast swelling:
Loratadine is classified as a second-generation H1-antihistamine with an excellent safety profile, used widely for urticaria and allergic conditions without reports of breast-related adverse effects 1
The British Association of Dermatologists' comprehensive guidelines on antihistamine use do not list breast swelling, breast tenderness, or mammoplasia as adverse effects of loratadine, despite detailed documentation of side effects for various antihistamines 1
Large epidemiologic studies have found no association between antihistamine use (including loratadine) and breast-related pathology, with one study of over 6,000 women showing antihistamine users were at no increased risk for breast conditions (OR=0.93,95% CI: 0.81,1.06) 2
Distinguishing from Other Medications
It is important to differentiate loratadine from medications that DO cause breast swelling:
Hormonal contraceptives (containing ethinyl estradiol) commonly cause breast pain, breast tenderness, and fluid retention as documented adverse effects 1
Antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, can cause mammoplasia (breast enlargement) in up to 39% of patients, often associated with weight gain and increased prolactin levels 3
Spironolactone causes breast tenderness in 3-5% of patients due to its antiandrogenic effects 1
Clinical Considerations
If a patient reports breast swelling while taking loratadine, investigate alternative causes:
- Review all concurrent medications, particularly hormonal contraceptives, antidepressants, or spironolactone 1, 3
- Assess for weight gain, which is commonly associated with breast enlargement 3
- Consider cyclical hormonal causes of breast swelling (mastalgia), which affects 70% of women with breast pain and is unrelated to antihistamine use 4
- Evaluate for fibrocystic changes or other breast pathology if symptoms are unilateral or focal 4
Safety in Special Populations
Loratadine is considered compatible with breastfeeding, with the FDA label advising to "ask a health professional before use" during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but no specific contraindication exists 5
Loratadine requires dose adjustment only in severe renal or hepatic impairment, but does not carry warnings about endocrine or breast-related effects 1