Loratadine
Description
Loratadine is an effective anti-allergic medicine used to temporarily relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Symptoms may include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and sore throat. It is also used to relieve symptoms of skin allergies.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Loratadine
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Sleeplessness
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Hives and wheezing
- Difficulty in breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
- Impaired liver function
- Influenza
- Upper respiratory tract infection
Uses of Loratadine
What is it prescribed for?
- Allergic rhinitis
- Utricaria
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 1-3 hours of administration.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine last for an average duration of 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine should be used with caution in pregnant women. All the potential benefits and associated risks should be considered. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding owing to the risk of adverse effects on the infant. However, if it becomes necessary to use this medicine, then breastfeeding should be discontinued.
Allergy
Use of this medicine is not recommended if you have a history of allergy to Loratadine or Desloratadine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine should be used with caution in pregnant women. All the potential benefits and associated risks should be considered. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding owing to the risk of adverse effects on the infant. However, if it becomes necessary to use this medicine, then breastfeeding should be discontinued.
General warnings
Impaired liver function
This medicine should be administered with caution if the patient has an impaired liver function. The recommended dosage regimen should be followed.
Impaired kidney function
This medicine should be administered with caution if the patient has an impaired kidney function. The recommended dosage regimen should be followed.
Use in elderly
This medicine is not recommended for use in the elderly as the risk of adverse effects are very high.
Phenylketonuria
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from Phenylketonuria especially when Phenylalanine is present along with the active component which is Loratadine.
Sedation
This medicine generally doesn't cause sedation. However, caution should be exercised and activity requiring a high level of mental alertness should be avoided after taking this medicine. The likelihood of sedation is high if it is consumed along with alcohol or other medications known to cause sedation.
Bruised hives
This medicine should not be used for hives that are bruised or blistered.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, then the missed dose can be skipped.
Overdose
Contact your doctor immediately if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, restlessness, confusion, increased heart rate, and seizures.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Carbamazepine
Clarithromycin
Ketoconazole
Cimetidine
Disease interactions
Liver disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients having a liver disease or impaired liver function. Report any such instance to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Kidney disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients having a kidney disease or impaired kidney function. Report any such instance to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Food interactions
Do not consume large quantities of grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
Lab interactions
Skin allergy test
Report the use of this medicine before taking a skin allergy test. This medicine can interfere with the results of the test. Hence, the medicine should be discontinued at least 2-4 days prior to taking this test.
Take Loratadine as prescribed by the doctor. You should ensure that consumption does not exceed the daily prescribed limit. Consult your doctor if symptoms do not improve or get worse after taking this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Loratadine works by reducing a chemical substance called Histamine from the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antihistamines
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 23 March 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - loratadine tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 23 March 2017]. Available from:
Loratadine | C22H23ClN2O2 - PubChem [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 23 March 2017]. Available from:
Loratadine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 23 March 2017]. Available from:
Loratadine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.