Loratadine

Loratadine is a prescription medication used to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.

• Loratadine is available under various brand names: Alavert, Alavert Allergy, Allergy (Loratadine), Allergy Relief, Children's Allergy (Loratadine), Claritin, Claritin 24 Hour Allergy, Claritin Hives Relief, Claritin Liqui-Gels, Claritin Reditab, Dimetapp ND, Loratadine Reditab, ohm Allergy Relief, QlearQuil All Day & Night, Tavist ND, Wal-itin

Common side effects of Loratadine include:

• headache.
• feeling tired or drowsy.
• stomach pain, vomiting.
• dry mouth; or
• feeling nervous or hyperactive.

Serious side effects of Loratadine include:

• hives. 
• difficult breathing. 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• fast or uneven heart rate.
• severe headache; or
• a light-headed feeling.

Rare side effects of 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 such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, 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

Syrup

• 5 mg/5 mL

Tablet

• 10 mg

Tablet, chewable

• 5 mg

Tablet, disintegrating

• 5 mg
• 10 mg

Capsule

• 10 mg

Allergic Rhinitis

Adult dosage

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

Pediatric dosage

• Children below 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children 2-6 years: 5 mg orally once a day
• Children above 6 years: 10 mg orally once a day; not to exceed 10 mg once a day

Urticaria

Adult dosage

• 10 mg orally once a day; not to exceed 10 mg once a day

Pediatric dosage

• Children below 6 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children above 6 years: 10 mg 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.

• Loratadine has severe interactions with the following drug:
  • mavacamten
• Loratadine has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • carbamazepine
  • cimetidine
  • clarithromycin
  • erdafitinib
  • erythromycin base
  • erythromycin ethylsuccinate
  • erythromycin lactobionate
  • erythromycin stearate
  • everolimus
  • isocarboxazid
  • lasmiditan
  • metoclopramide intranasal
  • rifabutin
  • rifampin
  • sotorasib
  • St John's Wort
  • lapatinibib
  • tranylcypromine
• Loratadine has moderate interactions with at least 133 other drugs.
• Loratadine has minor interactions with at least 54 other drugs.

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 health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to Loratadine

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

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

Long-Term Effects

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

Cautions

• You should not take this loratadine if you are allergic to loratadine or desloratadine (Clarinex).
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:
• asthma.
• kidney disease; or
• liver disease
• Some forms of loratadine may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before taking loratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
• Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 6 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Loratadine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• Lactation
  • Loratadine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.