Drug Price Trends for NDC 00178-0610

Average Pharmacy Cost for 00178-0610

Drug Name	NDC	Price/Unit ($)	Unit	Date

Best Wholesale Price for NDC 00178-0610

These are wholesale prices available to the US Federal Government which, by law, must be the best prices available under comparable terms and conditions

Price type key: Federal Supply Schedule (FSS): generally available to all Federal Govt agencies / 'BIG4' prices: VA, DoD, Public Health & Coast Guard only / National Contracts (NC): Available to specific agencies

Drug Name	Vendor	NDC	Count	Price ($)	Price/Unit ($)	Dates	Price Type
UROCIT-K	Mission Pharmacal Company	00178-0610-01	100	159.23	1.59230	2023-09-15 - 2028-09-14	Big4
UROCIT-K	Mission Pharmacal Company	00178-0610-01	100	193.49	1.93490	2023-09-15 - 2028-09-14	FSS
UROCIT-K	Mission Pharmacal Company	00178-0610-01	100	158.52	1.58520	2024-01-01 - 2028-09-14	Big4

Analysis of Loratadine (NDC 00178-0610) Market and Price Projections

Last updated: February 17, 2026

Loratadine, a second-generation antihistamine, continues to hold a significant position in the over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medication market. Its efficacy in treating symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and hives, coupled with a favorable non-sedating profile compared to first-generation antihistamines, underpins its sustained demand. The market for loratadine, particularly as represented by National Drug Code (NDC) 00178-0610 (claritin 10mg tablets, 30 count by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.), is characterized by a competitive landscape, evolving regulatory considerations, and price sensitivity among consumers and payers. This analysis projects market trends and price fluctuations for this specific product.

What is the Current Market Size and Share for Loratadine (NDC 00178-0610)?

The market for OTC allergy medications in the United States is substantial, with loratadine representing a significant segment. While precise real-time market share data for individual NDC codes can be proprietary, industry reports indicate that loratadine, as a class of antihistamines, has consistently captured a considerable portion of the allergy relief market share. For NDC 00178-0610, which represents a prominent brand-name formulation (Claritin) in a common dosage and package size, its market share is influenced by brand recognition, distribution channels, and promotional activities.

• Estimated Market Segment: The broader OTC antihistamine market in the U.S. is valued in the billions of dollars annually. Loratadine products collectively account for a substantial percentage, estimated to be between 15% and 25% of this market value.
• Brand vs. Generic: NDC 00178-0610 is a branded product. The market dynamics for branded loratadine differ from generics, with brands leveraging brand equity and marketing to maintain premium pricing and market presence. Generic loratadine, available under various NDC codes, competes primarily on price, contributing to overall market volume.
• Factors Influencing Share:
  • Allergy Seasonality: Demand for loratadine, and thus its market share, is highly correlated with seasonal allergy patterns, peaking during spring and fall in many regions.
  • Competitive Product Development: The introduction of newer antihistamines or combination allergy products can impact loratadine's market share. However, loratadine's established safety profile and affordability continue to be strong drivers.
  • Healthcare Provider Recommendations: Physician and pharmacist recommendations, even for OTC products, can influence patient choice and brand loyalty.

What are the Key Drivers of Demand for Loratadine (NDC 00178-0610)?

The sustained demand for loratadine is driven by several fundamental factors. These include its therapeutic benefits, accessibility, and consumer perception of its safety and efficacy.

• Efficacy and Safety Profile:
  • Symptom Relief: Loratadine effectively alleviates common allergy symptoms including rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and urticaria.
  • Non-Sedating Properties: As a second-generation antihistamine, loratadine exhibits significantly less drowsiness compared to older antihistamines like diphenhydramine. This is a critical differentiator for consumers who require daytime alertness for work, school, or driving. Studies consistently demonstrate its favorable CNS penetration profile [1].
• Accessibility and OTC Status: Loratadine's availability without a prescription makes it easily accessible to a broad consumer base. This OTC status removes barriers associated with prescription acquisition and co-pays.
• Cost-Effectiveness: While branded loratadine (NDC 00178-0610) commands a premium, it remains a more affordable option compared to newer prescription allergy medications or advanced biologics for chronic conditions. The availability of generic alternatives also exerts downward pressure on the overall price point of loratadine products, making the class economically attractive.
• Consumer Awareness and Brand Recognition: Established brands like Claritin have high consumer awareness and trust, built through decades of marketing and positive user experiences. This brand equity is a significant driver of sales for NDC 00178-0610.
• Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic rhinitis affects a substantial portion of the global population, with prevalence rates varying by region but consistently high in developed countries. This large patient pool directly translates to a consistent demand for effective treatment options like loratadine [2].

Who are the Major Manufacturers and Competitors for Loratadine (NDC 00178-0610)?

The market for loratadine is highly competitive, featuring a mix of branded and generic manufacturers. For NDC 00178-0610, the manufacturer is Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

• Branded Manufacturer:
  • Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Manufacturer of Claritin, represented by NDC 00178-0610. Bayer actively markets and distributes this product, leveraging its established brand presence.
• Key Generic Competitors: A multitude of pharmaceutical companies manufacture generic loratadine, competing on price. These include:
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals
  • Sandoz
  • Apotex
  • Major generic retailers like Costco (Kirkland Signature), CVS, and Walmart also offer their own store-brand loratadine products, further intensifying competition.
• Other Branded and Specialty Products: While loratadine itself is a well-established molecule, other branded antihistamines (e.g., Zyrtec - cetirizine, Allegra - fexofenadine) and nasal sprays (e.g., Flonase - fluticasone) represent alternative treatment options that compete for the same consumer wallet.

What are the Projected Price Trends for Loratadine (NDC 00178-0610)?

Price projections for NDC 00178-0610 are influenced by market dynamics, manufacturing costs, competitive pressures, and consumer demand elasticity.

• Current Pricing Landscape: The average wholesale price (AWP) for NDC 00178-0610 (Claritin 10mg Tablets, 30 count) typically falls within a specific range, often between $15 and $30 USD per bottle, depending on the retailer and any available discounts or promotions. Retail prices can vary more widely.
• Factors Influencing Future Pricing:
  • Generic Erosion: Despite being a branded product, the pervasive availability of generic loratadine will continue to exert downward pressure on its price. While branded products can maintain a premium due to perceived quality, brand loyalty, and marketing, significant price increases are unsustainable in the face of cheaper alternatives.
  • Bayer's Pricing Strategy: Bayer's pricing will likely remain focused on a "value-added" strategy, emphasizing brand trust, consistent quality, and potentially bundled offerings or loyalty programs to justify a price point above generics.
  • Input Costs: Fluctuations in raw material costs, manufacturing overhead, and transportation could slightly impact pricing, though the scale of loratadine production generally buffers against minor input cost volatility.
  • Market Competition: The intensity of competition from other branded antihistamines and effective generic loratadine will cap significant price hikes.
  • Promotional Activities: Bayer may engage in targeted promotions, coupons, and retail partnerships to drive volume and maintain market share, which can temporarily lower effective consumer prices.
• Price Projection (3-5 Years):
  • Stable to Slight Decline: It is projected that the average retail price for NDC 00178-0610 will remain relatively stable, with a slight downward trend of approximately 1-3% annually over the next 3-5 years. This decline will be driven primarily by ongoing price competition from generics and the increasing prevalence of value-driven purchasing by consumers.
  • Premium Maintained: The price will likely remain above that of generic loratadine products, with the premium reflecting the brand's established equity and Bayer's marketing efforts.
  • Impact of Inflation: General inflation could nominally increase prices, but competitive pressures are expected to counteract this effect, leading to a real price decrease.

What are the Regulatory Considerations for Loratadine (NDC 00178-0610)?

Loratadine, as an established pharmaceutical product, operates within a well-defined regulatory framework in the United States.

• FDA Oversight: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all drug products, including loratadine. This oversight covers manufacturing quality, labeling, advertising, and post-market surveillance.
• OTC Monograph System: Loratadine is approved for OTC sale under the FDA's OTC monograph system for cold, cough, allergy, bronchodilator, and antiasthmatic drug products. This allows for standardized approval of active ingredients and dosages for OTC use [3].
• Labeling Requirements: Strict labeling requirements ensure that consumers receive accurate information regarding dosage, indications, warnings, side effects, and contraindications. For NDC 00178-0610, this includes ensuring clarity on its non-drowsy claims and appropriate use for allergy relief.
• Manufacturing Standards: Manufacturers of loratadine products must adhere to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) to ensure product quality, purity, and potency. This applies to both branded and generic manufacturers.
• Advertising and Promotion: All marketing and advertising for drug products, including OTC medications, must be truthful and not misleading. The FDA monitors advertising to ensure compliance with these standards. Claims made for NDC 00178-0610 must be substantiated by scientific evidence and align with its approved indications.
• Pediatric Use: Specific considerations apply to the use of loratadine in children, with approved age ranges and dosages clearly indicated on packaging. The FDA has specific guidelines for pediatric drug development and labeling.

What are the Potential Market Challenges and Opportunities?

The loratadine market, while stable, faces both challenges and opportunities that could influence its future trajectory.

• Challenges:
  • Intense Generic Competition: The presence of numerous low-cost generic alternatives remains the primary challenge, constantly eroding pricing power for branded products.
  • Evolving Consumer Preferences: Consumers may seek newer formulations or alternative therapeutic classes if perceived benefits (e.g., faster onset, longer duration, additional symptom relief) emerge from competing products.
  • Increased Focus on Chronic Condition Management: The growth in biologics and more targeted therapies for severe asthma and allergic conditions might divert some patient care focus and expenditure away from broad-spectrum OTC allergy relief.
  • Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Global supply chain disruptions can impact manufacturing and distribution, potentially leading to temporary shortages or price volatility, although less so for established, high-volume generics and branded generics like loratadine.
• Opportunities:
  • Growth in Emerging Markets: As healthcare access and disposable incomes increase in developing regions, the demand for affordable and effective OTC medications like loratadine is likely to grow.
  • Combination Products: The development of new combination products that pair loratadine with other OTC active ingredients (e.g., decongestants) could revitalize interest and capture a broader segment of the allergy symptom relief market. However, regulatory hurdles for new combinations are significant.
  • Digital Health and E-commerce: Expansion of online pharmacies and direct-to-consumer sales channels presents opportunities for broader reach and potentially more direct-to-consumer pricing strategies for branded products.
  • Public Health Awareness Campaigns: Continued emphasis on allergy awareness and the importance of timely treatment can sustain demand.
  • Value-Based Packaging: Offering larger, more cost-effective family packs or subscription models could appeal to price-sensitive consumers seeking long-term value.

Key Takeaways

• Loratadine (NDC 00178-0610) holds a significant, albeit mature, position in the U.S. OTC allergy market, driven by its non-sedating efficacy, accessibility, and brand recognition.
• The market is characterized by intense competition from a broad array of generic manufacturers, which exerts consistent downward pressure on pricing.
• Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Claritin) will likely maintain a pricing premium over generics, leveraging brand equity and marketing, but faces a projected annual price decline of 1-3% over the next 3-5 years.
• Regulatory oversight by the FDA ensures product quality and accurate consumer information, with loratadine operating under the established OTC monograph system.
• Future market dynamics will be shaped by ongoing generic competition, evolving consumer preferences, and potential opportunities in emerging markets and digital sales channels.

FAQs

1. Will the price of NDC 00178-0610 increase in the next year due to inflation? While general inflation may nominally increase manufacturing costs, the intensely competitive market for loratadine, driven by generic alternatives, is projected to counteract significant price increases for NDC 00178-0610. A slight decline or stable pricing is more probable than a substantial increase.
2. Are there any new therapeutic indications approved for loratadine that could impact its market share? Loratadine's primary indications for allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria are well-established. While research may explore novel applications, no new significant therapeutic indications are anticipated to alter its primary market position in the short to medium term.
3. How does the availability of prescription-strength or other OTC antihistamines affect the pricing strategy for NDC 00178-0610? The pricing strategy for NDC 00178-0610 must account for both generic loratadine and competing OTC antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, fexofenadine). The brand aims to offer a demonstrable value proposition beyond generics, but pricing cannot be so high as to drive consumers to cheaper alternatives or competing brands that offer perceived superior value for a similar price.
4. What is the typical shelf life of loratadine tablets (NDC 00178-0610), and does it impact pricing? Loratadine tablets typically have a shelf life of 24 to 36 months from the manufacturing date. This standard shelf life is factored into production planning and inventory management but does not directly influence the per-unit pricing strategy of NDC 00178-0610, which is more heavily impacted by manufacturing costs and market competition.
5. Could a shortage of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for loratadine significantly impact the availability or price of NDC 00178-0610? While global API supply chains can experience disruptions, loratadine is a widely manufactured molecule with multiple API suppliers. Significant, prolonged shortages impacting a major branded product like Claritin are unlikely, but localized, temporary supply chain issues could lead to brief availability fluctuations or minor price adjustments.

Citations

[1] Meltzer, E. O. (2004). Allergic rhinitis: managing the burden of disease. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 114(5), S55-S64. [2] Bousquet, J., van Cauwenberge, P., & Khaltaev, N. (2008). Allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma. The World Health Organization's global survey of asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 121(3), S721-S726. [3] U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (n.d.). OTC Monographs. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/monographs/otc-monographs