pronounced as (lor at' a deen)
- Why is this medication prescribed?
- How should this medicine be used?
- Other uses for this medicine
- What special precautions should I follow?
- What special dietary instructions should I follow?
- What should I do if I forget a dose?
- What side effects can this medication cause?
- What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
- In case of emergency/overdose
- What other information should I know?
- Brand names
- Brand names of combination products
Why is this medication prescribed?
Loratadine is used to temporarily relieve the symptoms of hay fever (allergy to pollen, dust, or other substances in the air) and other allergies. These symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes, nose, or throat. Loratadine is also used to treat itching and redness caused by hives. However, loratadine does not prevent hives or other allergic skin reactions. Loratadine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
Loratadine is also available in combination with pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, others). This monograph only includes information about the use of loratadine alone. If you are taking the loratadine and pseudoephedrine combination product, read the information on the package label or ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
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. Follow the directions on the package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take loratadine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than directed on the package label or recommended by your doctor. If you take more loratadine than directed, you may experience drowsiness.
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. If you do not know the cause of your hives, call your doctor.
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.
Do not use this medication if the safety seal is open or torn.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be recommended for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking loratadine,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to loratadine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in loratadine preparations. Check the package label for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention medications for colds and allergies.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking loratadine, call your doctor.
- if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent damage to your brain that can cause severe intellectual disability), you should know that some brands of the orally disintegrating tablets may contain aspartame that forms phenylalanine.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Loratadine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- dry mouth
- nosebleed
- sore throat
- mouth sores
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- nervousness
- weakness
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- red or itchy eyes
Some side effects may be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking loratadine and call your doctor immediately:
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- wheezing
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom)and away from light. 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.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- fast or pounding heartbeat
- drowsiness
- headache
- unusual body movements
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about loratadine.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Brand names
- Agistam®¶
- Alavert®
- Claritin®
- Clear-Atadine®¶
- Dimetapp® ND
- Tavist® Non-Sedating
- Wal-itin®
Brand names of combination products
- Alavert® D (containing Loratadine, Pseudoephedrine)
- Claritin-D® (containing Loratadine, Pseudoephedrine)
¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.
Last Revised - 01/15/2022Browse Drugs and Medicines
FAQs
Who should not take loratadine? ›
The disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without medical advice.
What happens if you take loratadine everyday? ›Loratadine is unlikely to do you any harm if you take it for a long time. However, it's best to take it only for as long as you need to. It's best not to drink alcohol while you're taking loratadine, as it can make you feel sleepy.
Does loratadine 10 mg make you sleepy? ›Loratadine relieves allergic symptoms. Take one dose a day. Loratadine is called a non-drowsy antihistamine; however, it can still cause drowsiness in a few people.
What is loratadine 10mg used to treat? ›Loratadine is used to treat allergy symptoms, including runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and itching of the eyes, nose or throat. This medicine is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) product. This product is available in the following dosage forms: Tablet, Chewable.
What are the dangers of loratadine? ›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.
Does loratadine affect blood pressure? ›Claritin is a brand name for the drug loratadine, which doesn't usually raise blood pressure. Claritin-D, a combination of loratadine and pseudoephedrine, can elevate blood pressure.
Is loratadine the safest antihistamine? ›Loratadine is proven to be an effective and safe medication for alleviating symptoms of allergic rhinitis and treating urticaria.
Can you just stop taking loratadine? ›Discontinue loratadine tablets once your allergy symptoms have resolved. Talk to your doctor before taking loratadine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Should you take loratadine in the morning or at night? ›Timing: Take loratadine once a day at the same time each day, either in the morning OR in the evening. You can take loratadine with or without food.
What patients should avoid antihistamines? ›- Glaucoma.
- Trouble urinating (from an enlarged prostate gland)
- Breathing problems, such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
- Thyroid disease.
- Heart disease.
- High blood pressure.
What conditions should antihistamines be avoided in? ›
Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, urinary retention, increased ocular pressure are relative contraindications to the use of antihistamines.
What medications can you not take with Claritin? ›- amiodarone (Pacerone)
- carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Epitol)
- cimetidine (Tagamet)
- darunavir (Prezista)
- dasatinib (Sprycel)
- erythromycin (Erygel, Eryped)
- ketoconazole.
- midodrine (ProAmatine)