Can you take Claritin for a cough?

An antihistamine, for example "Benadryl" is a histamine blocker. It blocks cells normal reaction to them like a runny nose or itching, etc. It is normally recommended for allergy symptoms like a runny nose, itching, etc. Therefore, it will likely not do anything to help your cough or your cough-symptoms. Decongestants, like Sudafed, are given to loosen up the mucus and phlegm in the nose and throat. When your head feels all stuffed up and you feel you cannot breathe, you may need a decongestant. This will cause a lot of the mucus to loosen up so you can blow your nose and much of it comes out. For a cough, it is more likely that you would be recommended a combination of a decongestant with an expectorant. This type of medication loosens up mucus and phlegm and helps you cough it up or blow it out.