The difference between "regular" Claritin and Claritin Hives Relief is
entirely in the labeling, not in the pharmacology. The two products
contain the same amount of the same active ingredient: 10 milligrams
of loratadine.
Even the inactive ingredients (fillers that help to hold the tablets
together) are identical in these two products:
"Claritin Hives Relief...
Ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Loratadine 10 mg (Antihistamine)
Inactive Ingredients: Corn Starch, Lactose Monohydrate, Magnesium Stearate"
Drugstore.com
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=87475
"Claritin...
Ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Loratadine 10 mg (Antihistamine)
Inactive Ingredients: Corn Starch, Lactose Monohydrate, Magnesium Stearate"
Drugstore.com
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=78899
"Indeed, Schering-Plough already has a line extension planned for next
month with the introduction of Claritin Hives Relief tablets--the same
medicine with a newly approved indication."
Drug Store News, Jan 19, 2004
http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3374/is_1_26/ai_112594085
This kind of thing is not uncommon, both in prescrption and
over-the-counter drugs. For example, the prescription drug Wellbutrin,
an antidepressant, is identical (except in color) to Zyban, which is
sold as a tobacco-cessation aid. Same drug, two different advertising
strategies. In the realm of nonprescription drugs, most
over-the-counter sleeping aids contain the antihistamine
diphenhydramine, which is sold as Benadryl to allergy sufferers.
Again, the same drug is targeted to different markets using different
names. In the case of Claritin Hives Relief, the manufacturer has
chosen to use the same brand name as the original Claritin, while
targeting a new audience. Since the prices and the ingredients are the
same, the only difference in the efficacy of the drugs might come from
the psychological placebo effect that may be associated with the
drugs' names. In other words, someone who sees the words "Hive Relief"
on the label might conceivably obtain better results because of the
patient's expectations. This is just speculation on my part, however;
although market research on brand names is conducted by drug
manufacturers, they generally do not release this information to the
public.
I hope this helps. If anything is unclear, please request
clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before you
rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |