Claritin

Generic Name: Loratadine
US Brand Name: Claritin
Other Brand/Trade Names: Loratadine is marketed under many trade names around the world, including: Alavert™, Claritin®, Claritin® Hives Relief; Tavist®.

Uses

Loratadine is indicated for the relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria in patients 2 years of age or older.

Active Ingredients: Loratadine
Inactive Ingredients: Corn starch, lactose, and magnesium stearate.

Dosage and Forms

Loratadine comes as syrup, tablets and rapidly-disintegrating tablets. On our site Loratadine is available in tablets.
For adults and children 12 years of age and older, the recommended dose of Loratadine tablets is 10 mg once daily. The regular tablets may be taken with or without food. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children.
Overdose symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, and fast or pounding heartbeat.

Contraindications and Precautions

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to Loratadine or any ingredients of the medication. Before taking Loratadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old without the advice of a doctor.
This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Side Effects

As a non-sedating antihistamine, Loratadine causes less sedation and psychomotor impairment than the older antihistamines because it penetrates the blood brain barrier only to a slight extent.
Although drowsiness is rare, patients should nevertheless be advised that it can occur and may affect performance of skilled tasks; excess alcohol should be avoided.
Most common side-effects are drowsiness, headache, psychomotor impairment and antimuscarinic effects such as urinary retention, dry mouth, blurred vision, and gastrointestinal disturbances are the most common side effects.

Interactions

Erythromycin, cimetidine (Tagamet) and ketoconazole (Nizoral) increase the blood concentration of Loratadine by inhibiting the elimination of Loratadine. This may result in increased adverse events from Loratadine.