What is the proper dosage of loratadine? What are the potential side effects? Get all the details you need to know about this popular allergy medication.

Loratadine: An Overview

Loratadine is a generic drug that belongs to a class of medications called antihistamines. It is primarily used to treat upper respiratory allergies, such as hay fever or pet allergies, and can provide relief for symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose or throat, and itchy, watery eyes. Loratadine is available over the counter, which means you don’t need a prescription to obtain it.

Loratadine Dosage

The recommended dosage of loratadine for adults is 10 milligrams (mg) taken once per day. For children ages 6 and older, the recommended dosage is also 10 mg taken once daily. It’s important to note that the maximum dosage for both adults and children is 10 mg within a 24-hour period.

How Long Should I Take Loratadine?

The duration of loratadine use depends on the cause of your allergy symptoms. If your symptoms are triggered by a specific event, such as visiting a friend with a cat, you may only need to take loratadine for a few days. However, if your symptoms are related to seasonal allergies, like grass pollen, you may need to take loratadine throughout the affected season.

How Long Does Loratadine Take to Work?

Loratadine typically starts working within about 1 hour after you take a dose. This means you can expect to experience relief from your allergy symptoms relatively quickly.

Potential Side Effects of Loratadine

Like most medications, loratadine can cause both mild and serious side effects. It’s important to be aware of these potential side effects and to discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Mild Side Effects

Some of the more common mild side effects associated with loratadine include headache, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, and fatigue. These side effects are generally short-lived and tend to go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. If the side effects become bothersome, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious Side Effects

Serious side effects from loratadine are less common, but they can occur. If you experience any severe side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, you should contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under the skin, usually in the eyelids, lips, hands, or feet, as well as swelling of the tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause difficulty breathing.

Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine

Loratadine is sometimes combined with the decongestant pseudoephedrine to create a medication called Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine. This combination can be used to treat both the allergy and nasal congestion symptoms associated with upper respiratory allergies.

How Does Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine Work?

Loratadine works by blocking the effects of histamine, which is a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction. Pseudoephedrine, on the other hand, is a decongestant that helps reduce swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages.

Dosage of Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine

The recommended dosage of Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine is one tablet taken every 12 hours. It’s important to follow the dosage instructions provided on the medication label or as directed by your healthcare provider.

Differences Between Loratadine and Claritin

Loratadine is the generic version of the brand-name medication Claritin. While they contain the same active ingredient, there may be some differences in the inactive ingredients or the way the medication is formulated. Generally, generic drugs like loratadine are considered just as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts, but they often cost less.

Should I Take Loratadine or Claritin?

The choice between loratadine and Claritin ultimately depends on your personal preference and your healthcare provider’s recommendation. Both medications are effective in treating allergy symptoms, and the decision may come down to cost, availability, or personal experience with either medication.

Conclusion

Loratadine is a widely used and effective antihistamine medication for treating upper respiratory allergies. By understanding the proper dosage, potential side effects, and the differences between loratadine and its brand-name counterpart, Claritin, you can make an informed decision about which allergy medication is right for you.

Dosage, Side Effects, Uses, and More

If you have allergies, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend taking loratadine. It’s a generic drug that you can buy over the counter, which means you don’t need a prescription.

Loratadine is used in adults and certain children to treat upper respiratory allergies, such as hay fever or pet allergies. Loratadine can relieve symptoms of these allergies, such as:

• runny nose
• sneezing
• itchy nose or throat
• itchy, watery eyes

Loratadine basics

Loratadine belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines.

Loratadine comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s also available as a capsule, liquid solution, and dissolving tablet, but those are not covered in this article.

Read on to learn more about loratadine’s uses, side effects, and other important information.

Loratadine brand-name versions

Loratadine is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The brand-name medication that loratadine is based on is called Claritin.

Generic drugs are thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name drug they’re based on. In general, generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs do.

If you’d like to know more about taking Claritin instead of loratadine, talk with your doctor. And explore this Healthline article to learn more about the differences between generic and brand-name drugs.

The information below describes the loratadine dosage that’s commonly used or recommended. If you’re unsure about what dosage to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Form

Loratadine comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Strength: 10 mg

The loratadine tablet is available in one strength of 10 milligrams (mg).

Recommended dosages

The usual loratadine dosage for adults is 10 mg taken once per day.

The usual dosage for children ages 6 years and older is 10 mg taken once per day.

The maximum dosage for adults and children taking loratadine is 10 mg in 24 hours.

Questions about loratadine’s dosage

Below are some common questions about loratadine’s dosage.

• Will I need to use loratadine long term? You should take loratadine only when needed to relieve your allergy symptoms. How long you need to take loratadine depends on what causes (or triggers) your allergy symptoms. For example, if you’re allergic to cats, you might take loratadine for a few days while visiting a friend with a cat. But if you’re allergic to grass pollen, you might want to take loratadine throughout the spring and summer.
• How long does loratadine take to work? Loratadine usually starts working about 1 hour after you take a dose.

Like most drugs, loratadine may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that loratadine may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of loratadine. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that loratadine can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Mild side effects of loratadine that have been reported include:

• headache
• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fatigue (low energy)
• mild allergic reaction*

Mild side effects of many drugs go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from loratadine can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from loratadine, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of loratadine that have been reported include severe allergic reactions.To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to loratadine. Although allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of loratadine, it can still happen.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to loratadine. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about loratadine.

How does loratadine compare with other similar drugs, such as cetirizine?

Loratadine belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines. Other antihistamines available for treating allergies include:

• cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• fexofenadine (Allegra)
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• desloratadine (Clarinex)

Most antihistamines are similarly effective, but you may find that one works better for you than another.

Your doctor or pharmacist may recommend a certain antihistamine depending on the symptoms you have. For example, loratadine is typically recommended for upper respiratory symptoms. Other antihistamines may be suggested for treating itching associated with hives or skin allergies.

Some antihistamines cause drowsiness. For example, diphenhydramine commonly causes drowsiness. When taken as directed, loratadine, fexofenadine, and cetirizine usually cause much less drowsiness.

To learn more about how loratadine compares with other antihistamines, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you decide which medication may be best for you.

Will loratadine make me drowsy or raise my blood pressure?

No, loratadine doesn’t usually cause these side effects.

Most people don’t feel drowsy or sleepy while taking loratadine as directed. But some people have reported mild drowsiness while taking loratadine.

High blood pressure has been reported with loratadine. It’s unknown how often this occurs, but it’s likely rare.

Can I take a 5-mg or 20-mg dose of loratadine?

No, with loratadine tablets, you should not take a 5-milligram (mg) or 20-mg dose.

The maximum recommended dosage of loratadine is 10 mg in 24 hours. Taking a higher dose of loratadine, such as 20 mg, may cause an antihistamine overdose or increase your risk of side effects.

The usual loratadine dosage is 10 mg taken once per day. A 5-mg dose of loratadine is probably not enough to relieve your allergy symptoms. Also, these tablets only come in a 10-mg strength. They’re not scored and not meant to be split in half.

For children ages 2 to 5 years, other forms of loratadine that are easier to take are available at lower doses. But loratadine tablets should not be used in children younger than 6 years old.

Is loratadine used for dogs?

Yes, veterinarians sometimes prescribe loratadine to treat allergies in dogs. But this is an off-label use for loratadine. (Off-label use refers to using a drug for a purpose that the FDA has not approved.)

You should not give loratadine to your dog unless your veterinarian has prescribed it. Your veterinarian can tell you more about using loratadine in pets.

Does loratadine cause long-term side effects?

No, loratadine isn’t known to cause any long-term side effects. It’s generally considered safe to take this drug long term.

If you’re concerned about long-term side effects with loratadine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can loratadine be used for cough or hives?

It depends. Loratadine is approved to treat upper respiratory allergies, such as hay fever. But in some cases, it can be used for symptoms of cough or hives.

Some people have a tickly cough with allergies, such as hay fever. The cough is caused by postnasal drip (mucus running down the back of your throat). Loratadine dries up the mucus in your nose, so it can help ease this type of tickly cough. But it’s unlikely to treat other causes of cough.

Loratadine isn’t typically used for skin allergies, such as hives. But antihistamines, such as loratadine, can relieve itching from hives. A brand-name form of loratadine called Claritin Hives Relief is one drug used to treat itching from hives.

Sometimes, doctors will prescribe loratadine with a stronger antihistamine that’s approved to treat hives, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). But if you want to take loratadine for hives, always talk with your doctor or pharmacist first.

There are a few things to consider before taking loratadine. The medication may interact with other conditions you have, other medications you take, and certain tests you may have. You should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your health history and other treatments before taking loratadine.

Some things to consider are discussed below.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking loratadine, be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medications you take (including prescription and over-the-counter types). Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with loratadine.

For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings” section below.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Loratadine doesn’t usually interact with other medications. But you may be more likely to feel drowsy or sleepy if you take it with other drugs that make you feel sleepy. Examples of these drugs include:

• sleeping pills
• some anxiety drugs
• sedating antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• certain strong pain relievers

Loratadine should not be taken with other antihistamines unless your doctor prescribes the combination. (Loratadine is an antihistamine.)

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with loratadine. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur when taking loratadine.

Other interactions

Loratadine can affect the results of allergy tests, such as skin tests you may have to check for certain allergies.

If you’re planning to have an allergy test done, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take loratadine for a few days beforehand.

Warnings

Loratadine can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether loratadine is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take loratadine. Factors to consider include those described below.

Liver or kidney problems. Your liver and kidneys help remove loratadine from your body. If your liver or kidneys don’t work well, loratadine could build up in your body. This could raise your risk of side effects. If you have a liver or kidney problem, talk with your doctor before taking loratadine. They may recommend taking a dose every other day instead of every day.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to loratadine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take loratadine. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Loratadine and alcohol

Loratadine isn’t known to interact with alcohol. But alcohol and loratadine can cause some of the same side effects, such as headache and fatigue (low energy). Combining alcohol and loratadine may raise your risk of having these side effects or may make them worse if you experience them.

Although loratadine doesn’t usually cause drowsiness, you may be more likely to feel drowsy if you drink alcohol while taking it.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe to drink with loratadine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known if loratadine is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking loratadine.

It’s also not known if loratadine is safe to take while breastfeeding. Loratadine can pass into breast milk. But it’s not known how this drug may affect a breastfed child. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before taking loratadine.

Loratadine is used to treat the symptoms of upper respiratory allergies, such as hay fever.

Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to a harmless substance. For example, your body may react to tiny particles you breathe in from the air, including:

• grass or tree pollen
• mold spores
• pet dander (skin flakes)
• dust mite waste

When this happens, cells in your immune system release histamine. Histamine causes inflammation. This leads to allergy symptoms, such as:

• runny nose
• sneezing
• itchy nose or throat
• itchy, watery eyes

Loratadine is an antihistamine. It relieves allergy symptoms by stopping histamine from acting on cells that cause inflammation.

You should not take more than 10 mg of loratadine in 24 hours. And you should not take loratadine with other antihistamines unless your doctor specifically prescribes them together. (Loratadine is an antihistamine.) Taking too much loratadine or more than one antihistamine at a time when you’re not directed to can cause an antihistamine overdose.

What to do in case you take too much loratadine

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much loratadine. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Your doctor or pharmacist will explain how you should take loratadine. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions.

Taking loratadine

Loratadine comes as a tablet that you swallow. You’ll take it once per day as needed to relieve allergy symptoms.

You should not take more than one dose in 24 hours.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on the medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels that:

• have large print
• use braille
• contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Questions about taking loratadine

Below are some common questions about taking loratadine.

• Can loratadine be chewed, crushed, or split? Loratadine tablets are meant to be swallowed whole. If you have trouble swallowing loratadine tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Other forms of loratadine are available that may be easier for you to take.
• Should I take loratadine with food? You can take loratadine either with or without food.
• Is there a best time of day to take loratadine? No, you can take loratadine at any time of day. But if you’re taking it for more than 1 day, it’s best to take it around the same time each day. This helps the medication work effectively.

Prescription drug costs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

Financial assistance to help you pay for loratadine may be available. Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites that provide resources to help reduce the cost of loratadine.

These websites also offer tools to help you find low cost healthcare and certain educational resources. To learn more, visit their websites.

If you have questions about taking loratadine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some examples of questions you may want to ask include:

• How effective is loratadine?
• Can I take loratadine to prevent allergies?
• How long should I take loratadine?
• Can I take loratadine with other allergy treatments?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Dosage, Side Effects, Uses, and More

If you have allergies, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend taking loratadine. It’s a generic drug that you can buy over the counter, which means you don’t need a prescription.

Loratadine is used in adults and certain children to treat upper respiratory allergies, such as hay fever or pet allergies. Loratadine can relieve symptoms of these allergies, such as:

• runny nose
• sneezing
• itchy nose or throat
• itchy, watery eyes

Loratadine basics

Loratadine belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines.

Loratadine comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s also available as a capsule, liquid solution, and dissolving tablet, but those are not covered in this article.

Read on to learn more about loratadine’s uses, side effects, and other important information.

Loratadine brand-name versions

Loratadine is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The brand-name medication that loratadine is based on is called Claritin.

Generic drugs are thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name drug they’re based on. In general, generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs do.

If you’d like to know more about taking Claritin instead of loratadine, talk with your doctor. And explore this Healthline article to learn more about the differences between generic and brand-name drugs.

The information below describes the loratadine dosage that’s commonly used or recommended. If you’re unsure about what dosage to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Form

Loratadine comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Strength: 10 mg

The loratadine tablet is available in one strength of 10 milligrams (mg).

Recommended dosages

The usual loratadine dosage for adults is 10 mg taken once per day.

The usual dosage for children ages 6 years and older is 10 mg taken once per day.

The maximum dosage for adults and children taking loratadine is 10 mg in 24 hours.

Questions about loratadine’s dosage

Below are some common questions about loratadine’s dosage.

• Will I need to use loratadine long term? You should take loratadine only when needed to relieve your allergy symptoms. How long you need to take loratadine depends on what causes (or triggers) your allergy symptoms. For example, if you’re allergic to cats, you might take loratadine for a few days while visiting a friend with a cat. But if you’re allergic to grass pollen, you might want to take loratadine throughout the spring and summer.
• How long does loratadine take to work? Loratadine usually starts working about 1 hour after you take a dose.

Like most drugs, loratadine may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that loratadine may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of loratadine. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that loratadine can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Mild side effects of loratadine that have been reported include:

• headache
• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fatigue (low energy)
• mild allergic reaction*

Mild side effects of many drugs go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from loratadine can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from loratadine, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of loratadine that have been reported include severe allergic reactions.To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to loratadine. Although allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of loratadine, it can still happen.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to loratadine. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about loratadine.

How does loratadine compare with other similar drugs, such as cetirizine?

Loratadine belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines. Other antihistamines available for treating allergies include:

• cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• fexofenadine (Allegra)
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• desloratadine (Clarinex)

Most antihistamines are similarly effective, but you may find that one works better for you than another.

Your doctor or pharmacist may recommend a certain antihistamine depending on the symptoms you have. For example, loratadine is typically recommended for upper respiratory symptoms. Other antihistamines may be suggested for treating itching associated with hives or skin allergies.

Some antihistamines cause drowsiness. For example, diphenhydramine commonly causes drowsiness. When taken as directed, loratadine, fexofenadine, and cetirizine usually cause much less drowsiness.

To learn more about how loratadine compares with other antihistamines, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you decide which medication may be best for you.

Will loratadine make me drowsy or raise my blood pressure?

No, loratadine doesn’t usually cause these side effects.

Most people don’t feel drowsy or sleepy while taking loratadine as directed. But some people have reported mild drowsiness while taking loratadine.

High blood pressure has been reported with loratadine. It’s unknown how often this occurs, but it’s likely rare.

Can I take a 5-mg or 20-mg dose of loratadine?

No, with loratadine tablets, you should not take a 5-milligram (mg) or 20-mg dose.

The maximum recommended dosage of loratadine is 10 mg in 24 hours. Taking a higher dose of loratadine, such as 20 mg, may cause an antihistamine overdose or increase your risk of side effects.

The usual loratadine dosage is 10 mg taken once per day. A 5-mg dose of loratadine is probably not enough to relieve your allergy symptoms. Also, these tablets only come in a 10-mg strength. They’re not scored and not meant to be split in half.

For children ages 2 to 5 years, other forms of loratadine that are easier to take are available at lower doses. But loratadine tablets should not be used in children younger than 6 years old.

Is loratadine used for dogs?

Yes, veterinarians sometimes prescribe loratadine to treat allergies in dogs. But this is an off-label use for loratadine. (Off-label use refers to using a drug for a purpose that the FDA has not approved.)

You should not give loratadine to your dog unless your veterinarian has prescribed it. Your veterinarian can tell you more about using loratadine in pets.

Does loratadine cause long-term side effects?

No, loratadine isn’t known to cause any long-term side effects. It’s generally considered safe to take this drug long term.

If you’re concerned about long-term side effects with loratadine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can loratadine be used for cough or hives?

It depends. Loratadine is approved to treat upper respiratory allergies, such as hay fever. But in some cases, it can be used for symptoms of cough or hives.

Some people have a tickly cough with allergies, such as hay fever. The cough is caused by postnasal drip (mucus running down the back of your throat). Loratadine dries up the mucus in your nose, so it can help ease this type of tickly cough. But it’s unlikely to treat other causes of cough.

Loratadine isn’t typically used for skin allergies, such as hives. But antihistamines, such as loratadine, can relieve itching from hives. A brand-name form of loratadine called Claritin Hives Relief is one drug used to treat itching from hives.

Sometimes, doctors will prescribe loratadine with a stronger antihistamine that’s approved to treat hives, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). But if you want to take loratadine for hives, always talk with your doctor or pharmacist first.

There are a few things to consider before taking loratadine. The medication may interact with other conditions you have, other medications you take, and certain tests you may have. You should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your health history and other treatments before taking loratadine.

Some things to consider are discussed below.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking loratadine, be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medications you take (including prescription and over-the-counter types). Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with loratadine.

For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings” section below.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Loratadine doesn’t usually interact with other medications. But you may be more likely to feel drowsy or sleepy if you take it with other drugs that make you feel sleepy. Examples of these drugs include:

• sleeping pills
• some anxiety drugs
• sedating antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• certain strong pain relievers

Loratadine should not be taken with other antihistamines unless your doctor prescribes the combination. (Loratadine is an antihistamine.)

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with loratadine. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur when taking loratadine.

Other interactions

Loratadine can affect the results of allergy tests, such as skin tests you may have to check for certain allergies.

If you’re planning to have an allergy test done, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take loratadine for a few days beforehand.

Warnings

Loratadine can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether loratadine is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take loratadine. Factors to consider include those described below.

Liver or kidney problems. Your liver and kidneys help remove loratadine from your body. If your liver or kidneys don’t work well, loratadine could build up in your body. This could raise your risk of side effects. If you have a liver or kidney problem, talk with your doctor before taking loratadine. They may recommend taking a dose every other day instead of every day.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to loratadine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take loratadine. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Loratadine and alcohol

Loratadine isn’t known to interact with alcohol. But alcohol and loratadine can cause some of the same side effects, such as headache and fatigue (low energy). Combining alcohol and loratadine may raise your risk of having these side effects or may make them worse if you experience them.

Although loratadine doesn’t usually cause drowsiness, you may be more likely to feel drowsy if you drink alcohol while taking it.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe to drink with loratadine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known if loratadine is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking loratadine.

It’s also not known if loratadine is safe to take while breastfeeding. Loratadine can pass into breast milk. But it’s not known how this drug may affect a breastfed child. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before taking loratadine.

Loratadine is used to treat the symptoms of upper respiratory allergies, such as hay fever.

Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to a harmless substance. For example, your body may react to tiny particles you breathe in from the air, including:

• grass or tree pollen
• mold spores
• pet dander (skin flakes)
• dust mite waste

When this happens, cells in your immune system release histamine. Histamine causes inflammation. This leads to allergy symptoms, such as:

• runny nose
• sneezing
• itchy nose or throat
• itchy, watery eyes

Loratadine is an antihistamine. It relieves allergy symptoms by stopping histamine from acting on cells that cause inflammation.

You should not take more than 10 mg of loratadine in 24 hours. And you should not take loratadine with other antihistamines unless your doctor specifically prescribes them together. (Loratadine is an antihistamine.) Taking too much loratadine or more than one antihistamine at a time when you’re not directed to can cause an antihistamine overdose.

What to do in case you take too much loratadine

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much loratadine. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Your doctor or pharmacist will explain how you should take loratadine. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions.

Taking loratadine

Loratadine comes as a tablet that you swallow. You’ll take it once per day as needed to relieve allergy symptoms.

You should not take more than one dose in 24 hours.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on the medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels that:

• have large print
• use braille
• contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Questions about taking loratadine

Below are some common questions about taking loratadine.

• Can loratadine be chewed, crushed, or split? Loratadine tablets are meant to be swallowed whole. If you have trouble swallowing loratadine tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Other forms of loratadine are available that may be easier for you to take.
• Should I take loratadine with food? You can take loratadine either with or without food.
• Is there a best time of day to take loratadine? No, you can take loratadine at any time of day. But if you’re taking it for more than 1 day, it’s best to take it around the same time each day. This helps the medication work effectively.

Prescription drug costs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

Financial assistance to help you pay for loratadine may be available. Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites that provide resources to help reduce the cost of loratadine.

These websites also offer tools to help you find low cost healthcare and certain educational resources. To learn more, visit their websites.

If you have questions about taking loratadine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some examples of questions you may want to ask include:

• How effective is loratadine?
• Can I take loratadine to prevent allergies?
• How long should I take loratadine?
• Can I take loratadine with other allergy treatments?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Loratadin: instruction, price, analogues | tablets Farmak

pharmacodynamics. Loratadine is a tricyclic antihistamine with selective activity for peripheral H ₁ receptors.

In the majority of patients, when used at the recommended dose, loratadine does not have a clinically significant sedative and anticholinergic effect. During long-term treatment, there were no clinically significant changes in vital signs, laboratory tests, physical examination, or ECG. Loratadine has no significant effect on H ₂ – histamine receptors. The drug does not inhibit the uptake of norepinephrine and does not actually affect the function of the cardiovascular system or the activity of the pacemaker of the heart.

Histamine skin test studies after a single dose of 10 mg showed that the antihistamine effect occurs after 1-3 hours, peaks after 8-12 hours and lasts more than 24 hours. No development of tolerance to the action of the drug was observed after 28 days of loratadine use.

Clinical efficacy and safety

More than 10,000 patients (over 12 years of age) were treated with loratadine (10 mg tablets) in controlled clinical trials. Loratadine (tablets) 10 mg once daily was more effective than placebo and as effective as clemastine in improving symptoms (nasal and non-nasal) of allergic rhinitis. In these studies, drowsiness occurred at a lower rate with loratadine than with clemastine and at about the same rate as with terfenadine and placebo.

Among the participants in these studies (over 12 years of age), 1000 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria were enrolled in placebo-controlled studies. Loratadine 10 mg once daily was more effective than placebo in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria, as evidenced by a reduction in pruritus, erythema, and allergic rash. In these studies, the incidence of drowsiness was similar between loratadine and placebo.

Children . Approximately 200 children (aged 6–12 years) with seasonal allergic rhinitis received loratadine (syrup) up to 10 mg once daily in controlled clinical trials. In another study, 60 children (aged 2–5 years) received loratadine (syrup) at a dose of 5 mg once a day. Unforeseen adverse reactions were not observed. Efficacy in children was similar to that in adults.

Pharmacokinetics

Suction . Loratadine is rapidly and well absorbed. The use of the drug during meals may slightly delay the absorption of loratadine, but this does not affect the clinical effect. The bioavailability of loratadine and its active metabolite is dose proportional.

Distribution . Loratadine binds actively (97-99%) to plasma proteins, and its active metabolite is moderately active (73-76%). In healthy volunteers, T _½ of loratadine and its active metabolite in plasma is approximately 1 and 2 hours, respectively.

Biotransformation . After oral administration, loratadine is rapidly and well absorbed and extensively metabolized during the first pass through the liver, mainly by CYP 3A4 and CYP 2D6. The main metabolite of desloratadine is pharmacologically active and is more responsible for the clinical effect. Loratadine and desloratadine reach C _max 1-1.5 and 1.5-3.7 hours, respectively, after the application of the drug.

Derivation of . Approximately 40% of the dose is excreted in the urine and 42% in the feces within 10 days, mainly in the form of conjugated metabolites. Approximately 27% of the dose is excreted in the urine during the first 24 hours. Less than 1% of the active substance is excreted in unchanged active form – as loratadine or desloratadine. In adult healthy volunteers, the mean T _½ loratadine was 8.4 h (range 3–20 h), and the main active metabolite was 28 h (range 8.8–9 h).2 hours).

Renal disorders . In patients with chronic renal impairment, the AUC and Cmax _max of loratadine and its active metabolite increased compared to those in patients with normal renal function. The average T _½ loratadine and its active metabolite did not differ significantly from those in healthy individuals. In patients with chronic hepatic impairment, hemodialysis does not affect the pharmacokinetics of loratadine and its active metabolite.

Liver dysfunction . In patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease, the AUC and C _max of loratadine were 2 times higher, and their active metabolite did not change significantly compared with those in patients with normal liver function. T _½ loratadine and its active metabolite is 24 and 37 hours, respectively, and increases depending on the severity of liver disease.

Elderly patients . The pharmacokinetics of loratadine and its active metabolite were similar in healthy adult volunteers and healthy elderly volunteers.

symptomatic treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria and allergic rhinitis.

oral. The tablets can be taken with or without food.

Adults and children over 12 years of age should take 1 tablet (10 mg loratadine) once daily.

For children aged 2-12 years dose depends on body weight. With a body weight of more than 30 kg: 10 mg (1 tablet) 1 time per day. For children weighing less than 30 kg, use loratadine syrup.

Elderly patients. Dose adjustment is not required for the elderly.

Patients with impaired liver function. Patients with severe hepatic impairment should be given a lower starting dose because they may have reduced clearance of loratadine. For adults and children weighing over 30 kg, the recommended starting dose is 10 mg every other day.

Patients with impaired renal function. No dose adjustment required for patients with impaired renal function.

the drug is contraindicated in persons with hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any other component of the drug.

summary of the safety profile. In clinical studies in adults and adolescents, when using loratadine at the recommended dose of 10 mg / day for indications including allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria, adverse reactions were reported in 2% of patients (which is higher than in people who received placebo). Adverse reactions reported more frequently than placebo were drowsiness (1.2%), headache (0.6%), increased appetite (0.5%) and insomnia (0.1%). In clinical studies in children aged 2–12 years, adverse events such as headache (2.7%), nervousness (2.3%) or fatigue (1%) were noted.

From the immune system: anaphylaxis, including angioedema.

From the nervous system: dizziness, convulsions.

From the side of the cardiovascular system: tachycardia, palpitation.

From the digestive tract: nausea, dry mouth, gastritis.

From the side of the hepatobiliary system: pathological changes in liver function.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue: rash, alopecia.

Disorders of the general condition and related to the method of application of the drug: fatigue.

Loratadine should be used with caution in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency and glucose-galactose malabsorption should not use this medicine.

Loratadine must be discontinued at least 48 hours before skin testing, as antihistamines may neutralize or otherwise reduce a positive skin reactivity index response.

Use during pregnancy or lactation. Pregnancy . There are very few data on the use of loratadine during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown no direct or indirect adverse effects regarding reproductive toxicity. It is advisable to avoid the use of Loratadine during pregnancy as a safety measure.

Breastfeeding . Physicochemical data suggest that loratadine/metabolites are excreted in breast milk. Since a risk to the baby cannot be ruled out, Loratadine should not be used during breastfeeding.

Fertility . Data on the effect of loratadine on female or male fertility are not available.

Children. The safety and efficacy of loratadine in children under 2 years of age have not been established. The drug Loratadin, tablets, can be prescribed to children weighing more than 30 kg.

The ability to influence the reaction rate when driving vehicles or working with other mechanisms. In general, the drug does not affect or slightly affects the reaction rate when driving vehicles or working with other mechanisms.

However, the patient must be informed that very rarely reported cases of drowsiness, which may affect the ability to drive vehicles or operate other mechanisms.

when used in combination with alcohol, the effects of loratadine are not enhanced, which is confirmed by studies of psychomotor function.

Potential interactions may occur with all known inhibitors of CYP 3A4 or CYP 2D6, leading to increased levels of loratadine, which in turn may cause an increased incidence of adverse reactions.

An increase in plasma concentrations of loratadine has been reported after simultaneous use with ketoconazole, erythromycin and cimetidine, which was not accompanied by clinically significant changes (including ECG).

Children. Interaction studies with other drugs have only been performed in adults.

overdose of loratadine increases the incidence of anticholinergic symptoms. In case of overdose, drowsiness, tachycardia and headache have been reported. In case of overdose, symptomatic and supportive treatment is recommended for the required period of time. It is possible to use activated carbon in the form of an aqueous suspension. You can also perform gastric lavage. Loratadine is not excreted from the body during hemodialysis; the effectiveness of peritoneal dialysis in removing the drug is unknown. After an emergency, the patient should remain under medical supervision.

in original packaging at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C.

Loratadine is an H ₁ receptor antagonist of the second generation of histamine, which by its chemical structure belongs to the piperidine class of substances. The duration of its action allows you to take the drug 1 r / day orally. Loratadin is used as a symptomatic drug in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR), both seasonal and year-round, chronic urticaria and various skin diseases of allergic origin (instruction of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine).

There is also information that the use of loratadine may be clinically effective as an adjuvant in the treatment of exercise-induced AD (Baki A., Orhan F., 2001).

Loratadine: Physiological Basis for Clinical Efficacy

Histamine plays an important role in human health through its diverse effects on 4 types of receptors. Through H ₁ receptors, histamine is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, hematopoiesis, embryonic development, regeneration and wound healing, and is also a key link in allergic reactions. It is a neurotransmitter, has anticonvulsant activity and contributes to the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle, energy and endocrine homeostasis, cognition and memory processes (Simon E. R., Simons K.J., 2008). The release of histamine causes itching, pain, vasodilation and hypotension, increased vascular permeability and edema, headache, tachycardia, bronchospasm, stimulation of cough receptors and the vagus nerve. In addition, under the action of histamine, there is an increase in the release of additional amounts of histamine (a vicious circle occurs) and other inflammatory mediators, the expression of cell adhesion molecules and chemotaxis of eosinophils and neutrophils, the activity of antigen-presenting cells are increased, the cellular link of immunity and autoimmune reactions are stimulated.

H ₁ -histamine receptor blockers inhibit allergic inflammation via the H ₁ receptor, directly or indirectly via nuclear factor κB, suppress antigen presentation, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules, and chemotaxis (Simon E.R., Simons K.J., 2 008).

Today, the most commonly used classification system for antihistamines is the functional system, which distinguishes two generations of antihistamines. Representatives of the first generation easily penetrate the BBB, therefore, they have associated side effects (drowsiness, sedation, impaired cognitive and psychomotor functions). Representatives of the second generation, penetrating through the BBB to a minimal extent, have practically no inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. At the same time, compared with cetirizine or acrivastin, loratadine has a less pronounced sedative effect.

Loratadine in the treatment of AR

AR is an inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory tract characterized by IgE-mediated inflammation of the nasal mucosa. This disease is widespread and affects about 10-30% of the world’s population: it is estimated that AR occurs in 1.4 billion people worldwide (Schwindt C.D., Setipane R., 2012).

AR is the most common type of chronic rhinitis and statistics show that the prevalence of this disease is increasing. Severe forms of AR are associated with significant impairments in quality of life, sleep, and work productivity (Small P. et al., 2018).

The classic symptoms of AR are nasal congestion, nasal itching, runny nose, and sneezing. A thorough history, physical examination, and skin testing for allergens can establish the diagnosis of AR. When taking an anamnesis, it is also important to clarify the frequency of colds in a patient, since many patients do not attribute nasal symptoms to allergic ones and consider themselves to be often ill with ARVI. Second-generation oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment.

In allergic rhinitis, numerous inflammatory cells, including mast cells, CD4 T cells (primarily Th-2), B cells, macrophages, and eosinophils, infiltrate the nasal mucosa when exposed to a stimulant allergen (e.g. dust mite particles, cockroaches, animal dander, mold or plant pollen), infiltrate the nasal mucosa a. At the same time, Th-2 secrete cytokines (for example, interleukins IL-3, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13), which stimulate the production of IgE by plasma cells. Mast cells, in turn, cause the release of mediators such as histamine and leukotrienes, which are responsible for arteriole dilatation, increased vascular permeability, pruritus, rhinorrhea, mucus secretion, and bronchial smooth muscle contraction. Mediators and cytokines released during the early phase of the allergen immune response trigger a further cellular inflammatory response over the next 4–8 hours (late phase of the inflammatory response), leading to recurrent symptoms (usually nasal congestion) that often persist for a long time (Small P. et al., 2018).

AR was previously considered a local disorder affecting the nasal passages. Current evidence indicates that it may be one component of a systemic airway disease involving the entire respiratory tract. There are a number of physiological, functional, and immunological relationships between the upper (nose, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tube, pharynx, and larynx) and lower (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs) airways. For example, both the upper and lower airways are lined with a ciliated epithelium composed of ciliated and goblet cells. Allergen entry into the upper respiratory tract not only leads to a local inflammatory response, but can also lead to inflammatory processes in the lower respiratory tract, and this is supported by the fact that AR and AD often coexist. Therefore, AR and asthma in many cases appear to be a combined inflammatory disease of the airways, and this must be considered to ensure optimal evaluation and management of patients with allergic rhinitis (Small P. et al., 2018).

Exacerbations of seasonal AR may be associated with one or more types of pollen allergens (such as ragweed, various grasses, or tree pollen, most often birch). Patients complain of sneezing, nasal congestion, itching in the nose and nasopharynx. Also, during the period of exacerbation, eye symptoms often occur: redness of the eyes and eyelids, itching and lacrimation. Loratadine, according to available data, effectively alleviates both nasal and ocular symptoms of AR after the first dose and can be recommended in the treatment of both seasonal and year-round AR (Tenn M. W., 2018).

Is there a place for loratadine in pulmonological practice?

BA of exercise is characterized by a decrease in FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) by more than 15% after exercise or exercise. Signs of exercise-induced asthma are noted in 70–80% of children with asthma. It is known that loratadine has some bronchodilating effect in allergen-induced bronchoconstriction. The study evaluated the effect of loratadine on the severity of symptoms of exercise-induced asthma in children (n=11). Children took the study drug for 3 days, 10 mg 1 r / day. After the therapy, their FEV1 was measured, then the children started training on a treadmill, and FEV1 was measured again after 2; 5; 10 and 30 minutes after training. Loratadine significantly reduced FEV1 after exercise, while it did not prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, but significantly reduced its severity (Baki A., Orhan F., 2001).

Antihistamines have an antitussive effect in patients with asthma, postnasal drip, and AR. Elevated histamine levels may contribute to persistent cough in these patients. In one study (n=28, of which 10 patients with rhinitis, 7 with chronic idiopathic cough and 11 healthy volunteers) studied the effect of loratadine on cough caused by irritation of cough receptors. To provoke a cough, distilled water was sprayed using an ultrasonic inhaler. Loratadine significantly reduced cough intensity in patients with postnasal drip and unexplained chronic cough, but not in healthy volunteers. At the same time, according to spirography, it did not affect lung function (Tanaka S. et al., 1996).

Loratadine in dermatology

Allergic reactions to insect stings, including itching, swelling and redness of the bite site, are a common problem. Loratadine is one of the drugs that effectively and safely relieves these symptoms in both adults and children (Foëx B.A., Lee C).

Most often, children suffer from itching and swelling at the site of a bite of blood-sucking insects. The effect of loratadine (0.3 mg/kg body weight) was studied in 28 children aged 2–11 years with allergy to mosquito bites. It was found that loratadine reduced the size of blisters that arose at the site of bites of laboratory Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by 45%. The intensity of concomitant itching (as determined by the visual analogue scale, VAS, 0-10 points) decreased by 78% already 15 minutes after taking loratadine. The drug was well tolerated, no adverse reactions were noted. These results allow loratadine to be recommended for symptom relief in children allergic to mosquito bites (Karppinen A. et al., 2000).

Another dermatological disease for which loratadine has been successfully used in symptomatic therapy is urticaria.

Urticaria is a heterogeneous skin disorder that may be acute or chronic, intermittent or persistent. In addition, it can occur alone or in combination with other comorbidities such as angioedema. Urticaria is usually defined as the sudden appearance of pruritic papules on the skin with central swelling and surrounding erythema, which then resolve without scarring. The rash can appear on any part of the body and is often polymorphic. Isolated urticaria without angioedema occurs in about 40% of cases, while angioedema occurs simultaneously with urticaria in up to 40% of cases and, in fact, is the spread of the inflammatory process and edema into the deeper layers of the skin. Loratadine can be recommended both for symptomatic treatment of acute urticaria and for long-term use in chronic urticaria (Fine L.M., Bernstein J.A., 2016).

Potential uses for loratadine

Skin hyperpigmentation is a serious dermatological problem.

Various types of immune cells, including mast cells, are believed to play an important role in melanogenesis. Various inflammatory dermatoses can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by affecting the functional activity of melanocytes. In addition, inflammatory mediators such as histamine, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide play an important role. A study was conducted on the effectiveness of H 9 antagonists0005 1 receptors to determine if they inhibit melanogenesis. It was found that loratadine, without having a cytotoxic effect, was especially effective in this regard. Loratadine inhibits tyrosinase in melanocytes and reduces melanin content in melanocytes, regulates melanogenesis by inhibiting melanogenic proteins. The antimelanogenic effects of loratadine can potentially be applied in dermatological practice (Moon H.R. et al., 2019).

Another potential application for loratadine is oncology. The effect of radiotherapy varies depending on the phase of the cell cycle. In particular, cells in the G2/M phase are particularly sensitive to the effects of radiation. Found that in vitro loratadine inhibits tumor cell growth by increasing the proportion of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle by altering the activity of regulatory proteins. Pre-treatment of colon cancer cells with loratadine increased radiation-induced cytotoxicity, thereby increasing the effectiveness of radiotherapy. In addition, DNA analysis revealed a pattern of DNA damage in cells treated with loratadine, in addition to that due to radiotherapy. Thus, the antitumor effect of loratadine is multifactorial and this drug can potentially be used as an additional drug that increases the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation (Soule B.P., 2010).

Conclusion

Loratadine effectively relieves the symptoms of AR and is one of the first-line drugs in the symptomatic treatment of this disease. Second-generation oral antihistamines, including loratadine, have been found to be effective in reducing sneezing, itching, and rhinorrhea when taken regularly during a flare-up or once before an allergen exposure (Small P. et al., 2018). AR is pathogenetically closely associated with BA, and the use of loratadine is advisable both in the combination of these diseases and in patients with exercise BA. In addition, it is effective in alleviating non-nasal (eye) symptoms in patients with AR. Loratadine is widely used in dermatological practice, primarily in the symptomatic treatment of urticaria.

Arpimed

What Loratadine is and what it is used for

Loratadine is the active ingredient in Loratadine tablets.

Loratadine belongs to the group of antihistamines.

How Loratadine works sensitive.

When to take Loratadine

Loratadine relieves symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (eg hay fever) such as sneezing, runny and itchy nose, burning and itchy eyes in adults and children over 2 years of age with a body weight of more than 30 kg.

Loratadine is also used to relieve the symptoms of hives (itching and redness), often also referred to as urticaria or nettle rash.

The action of Loratadine lasts 24 hours, making it possible to fully perform daily activities and ensure restful sleep.

Consult your doctor if the condition worsens or
does not improve.

What you need to know before using Loratadine

Do not take Loratadine,

• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to loratadine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
• If you are pregnant or while breastfeeding.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Loratadine if:

• If you have liver disease
• If you are scheduled for allergy skin tests. Do not take Loratadine two days before these tests because Loratadine may interfere with test results.

If you have any of the above conditions or have any doubts about taking this medicine, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Loratadine.

Children

Loratadine is not recommended for use in children under 2 years of age or in children 2 to 12 years of age weighing less than 30 kg. There are other more suitable medicines for children 2 to 12 years of age weighing less than 30 kg.

Drug Interactions

Side effects observed while taking Loratadine may be increased when taken with drugs that affect the activity of certain enzymes responsible for drug metabolism in the liver.

However, the results of clinical studies have shown that when taking Loratadine with drugs that affect the activity of enzymes responsible for drug metabolism, no increase in side effects was observed.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take other medicines, including OTC medicines.

Admission with alcohol

There was no increase in the effect of alcohol when taken simultaneously with Loratadine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking this medicine. As a precautionary measure, the use of Loratadine during pregnancy should be avoided.

It is not recommended to take Loratadine while breastfeeding. Loratadine is excreted in breast milk.

Influence on the ability to drive vehicles and mechanisms

Clinical studies evaluating the effect of the drug on the ability to drive vehicles did not reveal any change in patients taking Loratadine. At recommended doses, Loratadine usually does not cause drowsiness or decreased alertness. However, in rare cases, patients experienced drowsiness, which could affect the ability to drive vehicles and mechanisms.

Important information about the ingredients that make up Loratadine

Loratadine tablets contain lactose.

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, talk to your doctor before taking Loratadine.

How to take Loratadine

Loratadine should be taken exactly as directed in this package leaflet or as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. If you have any doubts, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Pediatric use

Loratadine syrup is usually the most convenient formulation for children. It is necessary to take into account the weight of the child to correctly determine the dose of the drug.

For example, a 9 year old child on average should weigh about 30 kg, if you have any doubts, you need to weigh the child and follow the recommendations indicated in the table below.

Loratadine is not recommended for use in children under 2 years of age or in children 2 to 12 years of age weighing less than 30 kg.

Loratadine dosage regimen

If you have taken more Loratadine than recommended matzevta.

When taking Loratadine, serious disorders are not usually observed, but headache, palpitations, and a feeling of drowsiness may develop.

If you forget to take Loratadine .

If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Loratadine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Very common side effects observed in adults and children over 12 years of age:

• drowsiness
• headache
• increased appetite
• sleep disturbance.

Very common side effects observed in children aged 2 to 12 years:

The following very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people) that were observed in the post-registration period of Loratadine use:

• severe allergic reactions (including swelling)
• dizziness
• convulsions
• rapid or irregular heartbeat
• nausea
• dry mouth
• digestive disorders
• liver dysfunction
• hair loss
• skin rash
• fatigue

Reporting of side effects

If you notice any side effects, tell your doctor, pharmacist or pharmacist, including any side effects not listed in this package insert. You can also report side effects to Arpimed LLC by going to the website www.arpimed.com and filling out the appropriate form “Report a side effect or ineffectiveness of a drug” and to the Scientific Center for Expertise of Drugs and Medical Technologies named after. Academician E.Gabrielyan, by going to the website www.pharm.am in the section “Report a side effect of a drug” and fill out the form “Map of reporting a side effect of a drug”. Scientific center hotline: +37410237665; +37498773368 By reporting side effects, you help provide more information about the safety of this drug.

How to store Loratadine

• The drug should be stored out of the reach of children, dry, dark place at a temperature of 15 ⁰ C -25 ⁰ C.
• Shelf life – 3 years. Do not take Loratadine after the expiry date which is stated on the package. When specifying the expiration date, the last day of the specified month is meant.
• If the tablets have changed color or show other signs of deterioration, do not take the drug.