Loratadine

Loratadine is a drug that can be used to treat a variety of allergy symptoms, including runny, itchy nose; sneezing; and watery eyes. It works by blocking the action of histamine receptors in the body, which prevents the immune system reactions that cause allergy symptoms. Loratadine is now available without a prescription, and it comes in several forms. Side effects can include headaches, drowsiness, and dry mouth.

 

What Is Loratadine?

Loratadine (Claritin®) is an antihistamine approved to treat the following allergy symptoms:
 
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Itchy or watery eyes
  • Itchy nose or throat.
     
It is also approved to treat itching due to hives, which may or may not be caused by allergies. The medication is available in combination with a decongestant (see Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate). Although both loratadine and the loratadine/pseudoephedrine combination were originally prescription products, they are now available without a prescription. Compared to most non-prescription antihistamines, loratadine is much less likely to cause drowsiness.
 
(Click What Is Loratadine Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Side Effects of Loratadine

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with loratadine. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
 
(Click Loratadine Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking It?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking loratadine if you have:
 
  • Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Liver disease, including liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding.
     
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Loratadine to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

How Does Loratadine Work?

Allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to normally harmless substances that do not bother most people. This reaction is partly caused by the release of histamine from certain cells in the body. Loratadine is an antihistamine, which means it blocks histamine from binding to histamine receptors and causing allergy symptoms. Since histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of allergies, blocking it can be helpful.
 
Lots of people get nasal congestion due to allergies. However, antihistamines don't help with this particular allergy symptom (since congestion isn't caused by histamine). In order to treat congestion, it is necessary to add a nasal decongestant (such as pseudoephedrine). Claritin comes in a combination product that contains pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D), just for this reason.
 
Histamine is also responsible for the formation of hives (whether they are caused by allergies or not). By blocking histamine, loratadine can alleviate the itching due to hives as well.
 

When and How to Take It

General considerations for when and how to take loratadine include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in several forms, including tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and syrup. It is usually taken by mouth once daily, although one product is taken twice a day.
     
  • You can take loratadine with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • The orally disintegrating tablets dissolve rapidly on the tongue with no need for water. They are a good option for people who have trouble swallowing tablets.
     
  • Try to take loratadine at the same time each day to keep an even level in your blood.
     
  • Some people need to take loratadine all year long, while others take it only during allergy season.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as directed by the package labeling. Please read the label closely.
     

Dosing Information

The dose of loratadine your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Loratadine Dosing for more information.)
 

Drug Interactions

Loratadine can potentially interact with a few other medications (see Drug Interactions With Loratadine).
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much loratadine may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Drowsiness
  • Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Headaches
  • Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (known as heart palpitations)
  • Unusual body movements or muscle contractions.
     
(Click Claritin Overdose for more information.)
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you forget to take your loratadine dose, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
 

Who Makes Loratadine?

Brand-name loratadine is made by Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc. Generic versions of the drug are made by various manufacturers.
 

Available Strengths

Loratadine comes in the following strengths and forms:
 
  • Loratadine syrup -- contains 5 mg of medication per teaspoonful (per 5 mL)
  • Loratadine 5 mg chewable tablets
  • Loratadine 10 mg orally disintegrating tablets
  • Loratadine 5 mg orally disintegrating tablets
  • Loratadine 10 mg tablets.
     

Is There a Generic Version of Loratadine?

Currently, several different versions of loratadine are licensed for sale (see Generic for Claritin).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;