Private label versions of loratadine in works.

NEW YORK -- The Food and Drug Administration's decision last year to switch Schering-Plough Corp.'s Claritin allergy relief medication to over-the-counter status opened the door for manufacturers to begin offering retailers across the country private label versions of the product.

In January, for example, Perrigo Co. announced that it was teaming up with Andrx Corp. to launch three versions of O-T-C loratadine. Soon after, several other suppliers followed suit.

Since the FDA said it would allow Claritin and loratadine to be marketed over the counter retailers have been gearing up for the anticipated spike in their cough/cold/allergy relief sales.

As a prescription drug, Claritin had sales of more than …