Loratadine: Generic, Allergy Uses, Side Effects & Dosage (2024)

Uses
- What is loratadine, and what is it used for?
Side Effects
- What are the side effects of loratadine?
Dosage
- What is the dosage for loratadine?
Drug Interactions
- Which drugs interact with loratadine?
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
What Else to Know
- What else should I know about loratadine?

Generic Name: loratadine

Brand Names: Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, Alavert, Claritin Hives Relief, Children's Claritin, and others

Drug Class:Antihistamines, 2nd Generation

What is loratadine, and what is it used for?

Loratadine is a long-acting, non-sedating antihistamine that is used for the treatment of allergies.

Loratadine is used for the relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal hay fever (allergic rhinitis).
It is also used to treat patients with chronic welts (urticaria) and allergic skin rash.

Histamine is a chemical that causes many of the signs and symptoms of an allergy. Histamine is released from histamine-storing cells (mast cells) and attaches to other cells that have receptors for histamine on their surfaces. Histamine stimulates the cells to release chemicals that produce effects that we associate with allergy, including welts, itching, and tissue swelling.

Loratadine blocks one type of histamine receptor (the H1 receptor) and thus prevents activation of cells with H1 receptors by histamine. Unlike some antihistamines, loratadine does not enter the brain from the blood and, therefore, does not cause drowsiness when taken at recommended doses. The FDA approved loratadine in April 1993.

What are the side effects of loratadine?

The most common adverse events with loratadine are:

headache,
drowsiness,
fatigue and
dry mouth.

Nervousness and difficulty sleeping have also been reported.

What is the dosage for loratadine?

The usual dose of loratadine is 10 mg daily for adults and children older than six years of age. The dose for children 2 to 6 years of age is 5 mg daily.

Which drugs interact with loratadine?

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.

St. John's wort, carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR , Equetro, Carbatrol, Epitol, Teril), and rifampin reduce blood levels of loratadine.

SLIDESHOW Common Allergies: Symptoms and Signs See Slideshow

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Loratadine is secreted in breast milk at levels similar to blood levels. Nursing mothers should decide whether to stop breastfeeding or discontinue loratadine.

What else should I know about loratadine?

What preparations of loratadine are available?

Tablets: 10 mg.
Tablets, disintegrating: 5 and 10 mg.
Tablets, chewable: 5 mg.
Syrup: 5 mg/5 ml.

How should I keep loratadine stored?

Tablets should be stored between 2 C and 30 C (36 F and 86 F), and syrup should be stored between 2 C and 25 C (36 and 77 F).

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Summary

Loratadine is drug prescribed for the treatment of the symptoms of non-nasal and nasal seasonal allergic rhinitis and hives (urticaria or allergic skin rash). Drug interactions, dosing, and side effects are discussed in the information.

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Related Disease Conditions

Itching (Pruritus) Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching including infection (jock itch, vagin*l itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
Chronic Rhinitis Chronic rhinitis (non-allergic rhinitis) causes runny nose, sneezing, nasal itching, and congestion. Post-nasal drip is the drainage of mucus from the sinuses into the throat. Treatment includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Hives Hives, also called urticaria, is a raised, itchy area of skin. Most often the cause of hives is unknown. Sometimes it is a sign of an allergic reaction to food or medications, but the cause of the allergy (the allergen) is unknown. Dermatographism and swelling (angioedema) may accompany hives. Treatment to get rid of hives and alleviate symptoms typically includes antihistamines.
Skin Rash The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
Allergy An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Pinkeye Pinkeye, also called conjunctivitis, is redness or irritation of the conjunctivae, the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids, and the membranes covering the whites of the eyes. These membranes react to a wide range of bacteria, viruses, allergy-provoking agents, irritants, and toxic agents.
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