Loratadine Generic (Claritin)
Loratadine is a tricyclic antihistamine drug with selective activity for peripheral H1 receptors. The medicine is prescribed for diseases such as allergic rhinitis (seasonal and year-round), hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, chronic idiopathic urticaria, itchy dermatoses (contact allergic dermatitis, chronic eczema), angioedema, bronchial asthma (adjuvant), allergic reactions to insect bites, pseudo-allergic reactions to histamine liberators. Most patients, when using the drug at the recommended dose, did not notice a clinically significant sedative and anticholinergic effect. Long-term treatment with the drug did not produce any significant changes in vital signs, laboratory tests, physical examination, or ECG. The drug also does not affect H2-histamine receptors. Clinical studies have shown no effect on cardiovascular function or heart rate activity.
Clinical Efficacy and Safety
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you take (both prescription and over-the-counter, natural medicines and vitamins) and any health problems you have. You need to make sure that this drug is safe for your conditions and in combination with other drugs you are already taking. Do not start or stop taking any drug or change the dosage without your doctor’s advice.
According to preliminary average statistical data, 10,000 people aged 12 years and older took part in the study. Patients took the drug at a dose of 10 mg. In these studies, drowsiness occurred less frequently with loratadine than with clemastine and at about the same rate as with terfenadine and placebo. Among the participants in these studies, 1000 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria were also included in placebo-controlled studies. In these studies, the incidence of drowsiness was similar between loratadine and placebo.
Children
Clinical studies were also conducted with the participation of patients from 6 to 12 years of age. Children with seasonal allergic rhinitis received the drug at a lower dose (approximately 5–7 mg). Younger children (from 2 to 6 years) took syrup at a dose of 2 to 5 mg. No unexpected adverse reactions were noted. Efficiency in children was high, and the effect was the same as in adult patients.
Pharmacokinetics
Use this drug as directed by your doctor. Read all the information provided to you. Strictly follow all instructions. You can take the drug regardless of the meal. Take with food if the medicine causes nausea.
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Chewable tablets: Chew thoroughly before swallowing.
Lozenge: Do not remove this drug from the blister pack until you are ready to use it. Take this drug right after opening the blister pack. Do not store the recovered drug for later use. Do not squeeze the tablet out of the foil when opening. The tablet should be removed from the foil with dry hands. Put the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve. It is not necessary to drink water. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush the tablet.
Liquid: Liquid doses should be measured with caution. Use the dispenser that comes with the medication. If the dispenser is not provided in the package, ask the pharmacist for a dosing agent for this drug.
Side Effects of Loratadine
In clinical studies involving adults and adolescents, when using loratadine at the recommended dose of 10 mg/day for indications including allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria, adverse reactions were reported in 2% of patients (which is higher than in patients who received placebo). The most common adverse reactions reported more frequently than placebo were drowsiness (1.2%), headache (0.6%), increased appetite (0.5%), and insomnia (0.1%). In clinical studies in children aged 2–12 years, adverse events such as headache (2.7%), nervousness (2.3%), or fatigue (1%) were noted.
Special Instructions
Claritin tablets should be used with caution in patients with severe hepatic impairment. The composition of the drug includes lactose. In case of known intolerance to some sugars, patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, and glucose-galactose malabsorption should not use this drug. Claritin must be discontinued at least 48 hours before skin tests, as antihistamines may neutralize or otherwise reduce a positive skin reactivity index response. Claritin Syrup should be used with caution in patients with severe hepatic impairment. This medicinal product contains 3 g of sucrose per 5 ml; 6 g of sucrose in 10 ml. Use caution in patients with diabetes mellitus. May be harmful to teeth.
Claritin syrup should not be administered to patients with rare hereditary disorders of fructose, galactose intolerance, hereditary lactase deficiency, glucose/galactose malabsorption syndrome, or sucrase/isomaltase deficiency. If you have an intolerance to some sugars, you should consult your doctor before taking this medicine. The drug should be stopped no later than 48 hours before skin diagnostic allergy tests to prevent false results.
The information we provide on this page is not intended to substitute a physical examination and a consultation in your doctor’s office followed with the prescription of the best-suited medicating. Furthermore, this information may appear incomplete, partial, non-specific and otherwise unfitted to be used as the recommendation basis for any type of treatment. We try to create scientifically accurate copies that go through multiple checkpoints and are curated by professionals, but we reserve the right for occasional errors. Seek doctor’s advice before commencing, renewing or discontinuing any drug. The same concerns recommendations and best practices for drug application, effects, caution and adverse reactions.
