Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine

Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine is a combination medication used to treat allergic rhinitis and nasal congestion.

• Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine is available under the following different brand names: Antihistamine/Decongestant Combos

Common side effects of Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine include:

• Dry mouth, nose, or throat,
• Mild dizziness, and
• Sleep problems (insomnia)

Serious side effects of Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine include:

• Pounding heartbeats,
• Fluttering in the chest,
• Severe dizziness,
• Nervousness, and
• Restless feeling

Rare side effects of Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out. 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine

Tablet, extended-release

• 5 mg/120 mg
• 10 mg/240 mg

Allergic Rhinitis/Nasal Congestion

Adult dosage

• Immediate release: 1 tablet orally every 12 hours
• Extended-release: 1 tablet orally once a day

Pediatric dosage

• Below 12 years old
  • Safety & efficacy not established
• Above 12 years old
  • Immediate release: 1 tablet orally every 12 hours
  • Extended-release: 1 tablet orally once a day

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, 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.

• Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • dihydroergotamine
  • dihydroergotamine inhaled
  • dihydroergotamine intranasal
  • ergoloid mesylates
  • ergonovine
  • ergotamine
  • isocarboxazid
  • linezolid
  • mavacamten
  • methylergonovine
• Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine has serious interactions with at least 41 other drugs.
• Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine has moderate interactions with at least 204 other drugs.
• Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • alvimopan
  • amiodarone
  • armodafinil
  • asenapine
  • atorvastatin
  • celecoxib
  • chloroquine
  • cimetidine
  • clarithromycin
  • clotrimazole
  • darifenacin
  • desmopressin
  • diphenhydramine

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Documented hypersensitivity to drugs or excipients
• Severe hypertension or coronary disease
• Concurrent or within 14 days of MAO inhibitor use

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Pseudoephedrine-Loratadine?”

Cautions

• Caution in hepatic and renal impairment
• Use caution in mild to moderate hypertension, cardiac disease, hyperthyroidism, hyperglycemia, BPH, DM, renal impairment, seizure disorder, thyroid dysfunction, glaucoma, lactation
• Elderly patients are at increased risk for side effects including comorbidities related to anticholinergic effects; maybe potentially be inappropriate in this population (Beers criteria)
• Effects of ethanol and other sedative drugs may be potentiated when used concurrently
• Some products may contain phenylalanine
• When used for self-medication, see a healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve within 7 days or are accompanied by fever
• Many combo formulations are switching to phenylephrine due to restrictions arising from easy conversion to methamphetamine (the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 bans OTC sales of cold medicines that contain ingredients, such as pseudoephedrine, commonly used to make methamphetamine)

Pregnancy and Lactation

• May be acceptable during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Both drugs pass into breast milk, pseudoephedrine is concentrated in breast milk; use caution