Loratidine

Loratidine is an over-the-counter (OTC) drug containing antihistamine that treats symptoms such as itching, runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing such as “hay fever” and other allergies. It is also used to relieve itching from hives.

Loratidine does not prevent hives or prevent/treat a serious allergic reaction. Therefore, if your doctor has prescribed epinephrine to treat allergic reactions, always carry your ephinephrine injector with you. Do not use loratidine in place of epinephrine.

If you are self-treating with this mediation, it is important to read the manufacturer's package instructions carefully so you know when to consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not use this medication in children younger than 6 years unless directed by a doctor. If you are using the chewable tablets, do not use in children younger than 2 years unless directed by your doctor.

Loratidine is available under the following different brand names: Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, and QlearQuil All Day & All Night 24 Hour Allergy Relief.

Adult and pediatric dosages:

Syrup

• 5 mg/5ml

Tablet

• 10 mg

Tablet, chewable

• 5 mg

Tablet, disintegrating

• 5 mg
• 10 mg

Capsule

• 10 mg

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Adults

• 10 mg orally each day or 5 mg twice daily; not to exceed 10 mg each day

Children

Children under 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established

Children 2-6 years: 5 mg orally daily

Children over 6 years: 10 mg orally daily; not to exceed 10 mg per day

Hives

Adults

• 10 mg orally each day; not to exceed 10 mg each day

Children

• Children under 6 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 6 years and older: 10 mg orally daily

Dosing Considerations

Renal impairment (GFR less than 30 mL/min):

Adult

• 10 mg orally every other day

Children

• Children 2-6 years: 5 mg orally every other day
• Children 6 years and older: 10 mg orally every other day

Hepatic impairment:

Adult

• 10 mg orally every other day

Children

• Children 2-6 years: 5 mg orally every other day
• Children 6 years and older: 10 mg orally every other day

Administration

• Claritin RediTabs: Dissolve on tongue

Common side effects include:

• headache
• sleepiness
• drowsiness
• nervousness
• fatigue
• dry mouth
• muscle spasms
• pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• feeling of uneasiness
• feeling of discomfort
• upper respiratory tract infection
• abdominal pain

Other reported side effects of Loratidine include:

• Autonomic nervous system:
• altered tearing
• altered salivation
• flushing
• reduced sense of sensation
• impotence
• increased sweating
• thirst
• Cardiovascular:
• high blood pressure
• low blood pressure
• rapid heartbeat (palpations)
• episodes of fast heartbeat (SVT)
• fainting
• abnormal heart rhythm
• Central Nervous System:
• involuntary closing of eyelids
• dizziness
• difficulty speaking
• abnormal increase of muscle tension
• migraine
• burning or prickling sensation
• tremor
• spinning sensation (vertigo)
• Gastrointestinal:
• altered taste
• loss of appetite
• constipation
• diarrhea
• abdominal discomfort
• gas (flatulence)
• gastritis
• hiccup
• increased appetite
• loose stools
• nausea
• vomiting
• Musculoskeletal:
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• Psychiatric:
• agitation
• amnesia
• anxiety
• confusion
• decreased libido
• depression
• impaired concentration
• insomnia
• irritability
• morbid dreams or nightmares
• Reproductive:
• breast pain
• menstrual cramps
• heavy periods
• vaginitis
• Respiratory:
• bronchitis
• difficulty breathing
• coughing
• coughing up blood
• laryngitis
• nasal dryness
• sinusitis
• sneezing
• Skin:
• dermatitis
• dry hair
• dry skin
• sensitivity to the sun
• severe itching
• skin discoloration
• hives
• Urinary:
• urinary discoloration
• urinary incontinence
• urinary retention
• Other:
• rapid swelling
• abnormal physical weakness
• back pain
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• earache
• eye pain
• fever
• leg cramps
• general sense of discomfort (malaise)
• rigors
• ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• weight gain

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Loratidine has no known severe interactions with any drugs.
• Serious Interactions of Loratidine include:
  • carbamazepine
  • cimetidine
  • clarithromycin
  • erythromycin base
  • erythromycin ethylsuccinate
  • erythromycin lactobionate
  • erythromycin sterate
  • everolimus
  • isocarboxazid
  • itraconazole
  • ivacaftor
  • ketoconazole
  • rifabutin
  • rifampin
  • St. John's wort
  • tranylcypromine
• Loratidine has moderate interactions with at least 134 different drugs.
• Loratidine has mild interactions with at least 61 different drugs.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

• This medication contains loratidine. Do not take Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, or QlearQuil All Day & All Night 24 hour Allergy Relief, if you are allergic to loratidine or any ingredients contained in this drug
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to loratidine.

Effects of Drug Abuse

• Effects of ethanol and other sedative drugs may be increased when used together with loratidine

Short-Term Effects

• Effects of ethanol and other sedative drugs may be increased when used together with loratidine
• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Loratidine?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Loratidine?"

Cautions

• Use caution in patients with hepatic and renal impairments
• Elderly patients are at increased risk for comorbidities related to anticholinergic effects. Loratidine may be potentially inappropriate in this population (Beers criteria)
• Effects of ethanol and other sedative drugs may be increased when used together with loratidine
• Use caution with Benzyl alcohol, which is associated with the fatal toxicity, gasping syndrome in neonates
• Some products may contain phenylalanine

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Loratidine use in pregnancy may be acceptable. Either animal studies shows no risk but human studies and available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk
• Loratidine is excreted in breast milk, avoid use when lactating. AAP Committee states compatible with nursing. Consult with a physician prior to use if lactating