Loratadine

What is Loratadine?

• Loratadine (Claritin) its metabolic derivative desloratadine are second generation antihistamines that are used to temporarily relieve the symptoms of hay fever (allergy to pollen, dust, or other substances in the air) and other allergies.

Loratadine

Loratadine-3d-balls

Loratadine-3d-vdW

What are the uses of this medicine?

Loratadine (Claritin) temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies:

• runny nose
• itchy, watery eyes
• sneezing
• itching of the nose or throat

How does this medicine work?

• Loratadine (lor at' a deen) and desloratadine (des" lor at' a deen) are second generation antihistamines (H1 receptor blockers) that are used widely to treat allergic symptoms associated with hay fever, seasonal allergies, urticaria, angioedema and atopic dermatitis.
• Like other second generation antihistamines, loratadine and desloratadine are considered to be nonsedating, and prospective studies have shown that sedation is less common with them than first generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine.
• Loratadine and desloratadine belong to the piperidine class of antihistamines (similar to fexofenadine).
• The two agents appear to have a similar spectrum of activity and side effects, although some patients are found to prefer one over the other.
• It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine have no usage limitations.

• Patients with severe hepatic (liver) disorders may need to start with a lower dose. No dose adaptation is necessary for elderly or renally (kidney) impaired patients.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• Loratadine was approved for use by prescription in the United States in 1993 and as an over-the-counter medication in 2002.

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage:

• The typical dose is 10 mg once daily and it is often given chronically, at least during allergic season.

Adults and children 6 years and over:

• 1 tablet daily; not more than 1 tablet in 24 hours

Administration:

• Loratadine comes as a syrup (liquid), a tablet, and a rapidly disintegrating (dissolving) tablet to take by mouth.
• It is usually taken once a day with or without food.
• Take loratadine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than directed.
• If you are taking the rapidly disintegrating tablet, follow the package directions to remove the tablet from the blister package without breaking the tablet. Do not try to push the tablet through the foil. After you remove the tablet from the blister package, immediately place it on your tongue and close your mouth. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with or without water.
• Do not use loratadine to treat hives that are bruised or blistered, that are an unusual color, or that do not itch.
• Call your doctor if you have this type of hives.
• Stop taking loratadine and call your doctor if your hives do not improve during the first 3 days of your treatment or if your hives last longer than 6 weeks.
• Do not use this medication if the safety seal is open or torn.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As 5 and 10 mg tablets and capsules
• As a syrup (liquid)
• As a rapidly disintegrating (dissolving)

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Agistam
• Alavert
• Claritin
• Clear-Atadine
• Dimetapp ND
• Tavist Non-Sedating
• Walitin

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• blurred vision
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• red or itchy eyes
• dry mouth and throat
• palpitations
• tachycardia
• abdominal distress
• constipation
• headache
• mild drowsiness particularly at higher doses
• worsen urinary retention and glaucoma
• nosebleed
• sore throat
• mouth sores
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• nervousness
• weakness

What special precautions should I follow?

• Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have liver or kidney disease. Your doctor should determine if you need a different dose.
• When using this product do not take more than directed. Taking more than directed may cause drowsiness.
• Stop use and ask a doctor if an allergic reaction to this product occurs. Seek medical help right away.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma.
• If you are taking loratadine to treat hives, and you develop any of the following symptoms, get emergency medical help right away: difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing; swelling in and around the mouth or swelling of the tongue; wheezing; drooling; dizziness; or loss of consciousness. These may be symptoms of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If your doctor suspects that you may experience anaphylaxis with your hives, he may prescribe an epinephrine injector (EpiPen). Do not use loratadine in place of the epinephrine injector.
• Loratadine and desloratadine have been linked to rare, isolated instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

Symptoms of overdosage may include:

• fast or pounding heartbeat
• drowsiness
• headache
• unusual body movements

Management of overdosage:

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• In the U.S., it is classified as category B in pregnancy, meaning animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus, but no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have been conducted.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have been established.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredients:

• Loratadine

Inactives ingredients:

• aspartame, carmine, citric acid anhydrous, colloidal silicon dioxide, flavor, magnesium stearate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, stearic acid

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

• Bayer HealthCare LLC.

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
• Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.
• Use the orally disintegrating tablets immediately after you remove them from the blister package, and within 6 months after you open the outer foil pouch.
• Write the date that you open the foil pouch on the product label so that you will know when 6 months have passed.

First Generation Antihistamines

• Brompheniramine
• Carbinoxamine
• Chlorcyclizine
• Chlorpheniramine
• Clemastine
• Cyclizine
• Cyproheptadine
• Dexbrompheniramine
• Dexchlorpheniramine
• Dimenhydrinate
• Diphenhydramine
• Doxylamine
• Hydroxyzine
• Meclizine
• Phenyltoloxamine
• Promethazine
• Triprolidine

Second Generation Antihistamines

• Acrivastine
• Cetirizine
• Fexofenadine
• Levocetirizine
• Loratadine
• Desloratadine

• Dailymed label info on Loratadine
• FDA Loratadine

Loratadine Resources
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