Loratadine (Oral Route) Precautions – Mayo Clinic

Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

1. Alavert
2. Childrens Claritin
3. Childrens ClearAtadine
4. Childrens Dimetapp ND Allergy
5. Claritin
6. Claritin Reditabs
7. Clearatadine
8. Loradamed
9. Triaminic Allerchews

Descriptions

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
• Tablet
• Tablet, Disintegrating
• Syrup
• Solution
• Capsule, Liquid Filled

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of loratadine in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 6 years of age for liquid-filled capsules, chewable tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and tablets and in children younger than 2 years of age for oral liquid.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of loratadine in geriatric patients.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Amiodarone
• Carbamazepine
• Pitolisant

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Use with caution. Your dose must be determined by your doctor.

• Phenylketonuria (PKU)—The chewable tablet contains phenylalanine (aspartame), which can make this condition worse.

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Follow the instructions on the medicine label.

Orally disintegrating tablet: Place one tablet on the tongue, with or without water.

Oral liquid: Measure with a medicine cup.

Chewable tablets: Chew or crush tablets before swallowing.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For allergies:
  • For oral dosage form (chewable tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, tablets):
    • Adults and children 6 years of age and older—One tablet or 10 milligrams (mg) once a day. Do not take more than one tablet per day.
    • Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (liquid-filled capsules):
    • Adults and children 6 years of age and older—One capsule or 10 milligrams (mg) once a day. Do not take more than one capsule per day.
    • Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (solution):
    • Adults and children 6 years of age and older—2 teaspoonfuls or 10 milliliters (mL) once a day. Do not take more than 2 teaspoonfuls per day.
    • Children 2 to younger than 6 years of age—1 teaspoonful or 5 mL once day. Do not take more than 1 teaspoonful per day.
    • Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

If your or your child’s condition do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

1. Drowsiness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.