Internal Medicine Physicians of the North Shore Internal Medicine Physicians of the North Shore

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Loratadine

(lor at' a deen)

Brand Name(s): Alavert®, Claritin®, Wal-itin®, Alavert® D (as a combination product containing Loratadine, Pseudoephedrine), Claritin-D® (as a combination product containing Loratadine, Pseudoephedrine); also available generically

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Loratadine is used to temporarily relieve runny nose; sneezing; and redness, itching, and tearing of the eyes caused by allergies. Loratadine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

Loratadine has also been used to treat itching and redness caused by hives. This medication may be recommended for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Loratadine comes as a liquid, a tablet, a chewable tablet, a capsule, and a rapidly disintegrating (dissolving) tablet to take by mouth. Take once a day with or without food.

Take loratadine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than directed on the package label or recommended by your doctor.

If you are taking the rapidly disintegrating tablet, follow the package directions to remove the tablet from the blister package to avoid breaking the tablet. Do not try to push the tablet through the foil. After you remove the tablet from the blister package, immediately place it on your tongue and close your mouth. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with or without water.

Do not use this medication if the safety seal is open or torn.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking loratadine,

  • tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any otherdrugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and whatsymptoms you had.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking loratadine, call your doctor.

  • if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent damage to your brain that can cause severe intellectual disability), you should know that the chewable tablets may contain aspartame that forms phenylalanine.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Loratadine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • headache
  • drowsiness
  • tiredness

Some side effects may be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking loratadine and call your doctor immediately:

  • rash; hives; itching; swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat; difficulty breathing or swallowing

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom) and away from light.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about loratadine.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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