Loratadine Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Loratadine Tablet contains loratadine, a non-sedating antihistamine that reduces the effects of histamine in the body. It is used to relieve sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and other allergy symptoms, as well as hives and itching from chronic skin reactions. It usually does not cause drowsiness and works within about an hour, lasting a full 24 hours with once-daily dosing.

What is Loratadine Tablet

Loratadine is a non-sedating antihistamine that reduces the effects of a natural chemical called histamine in the body. Histamine causes symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Loratadine Tablet uses

• Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and other cold or allergy symptoms
• Hay fever and other upper respiratory allergies
• Hives (urticaria) and itching from chronic skin reactions
• Itchy, watery, red eyes
• Itching of the nose or throat

Benefits of Loratadine Tablet

• Relieves sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes caused by allergies
• Reduces itching and hives from skin allergies
• Does not usually cause drowsiness, unlike older antihistamines
• Works within about an hour and lasts a full 24 hours with once-daily dosing

How Loratadine Tablet works

Loratadine blocks histamine receptors (H1 receptors) in the body. Histamine is released during allergic reactions and causes sneezing, itching, and swelling. By blocking these receptors, loratadine reduces or prevents these symptoms, and because it does not easily enter the brain, it usually does not cause sleepiness.

Loratadine Tablet dosage

Use loratadine exactly as directed on the label or as prescribed by your doctor; do not use more or less than recommended or for longer than recommended. Cold or allergy medicine is usually taken only for a short time until symptoms clear up. Loratadine is usually taken once per day.

Do not crush, chew, or break the regular tablet; swallow it whole. The chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing. For the orally disintegrating tablet, keep it in its blister pack until ready to use; open the package and peel back the foil rather than pushing the tablet through it. Use dry hands to remove the orally disintegrating tablet and place it in your mouth; let it dissolve without chewing, and you may drink liquid afterward to help swallow it.

Can be taken with or without food, though taking on an empty stomach is generally recommended. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing device provided, or ask your pharmacist for one if you don't have one.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without medical advice. A child's dose is based on age; some forms are not for children younger than 6 years old. Do not use loratadine more than once in a 24-hour period; do not use two doses at one time. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral capsule
• Oral syrup
• Oral tablet
• Oral tablet, chewable
• Orally disintegrating tablet
• Liquid-filled capsule

Side effects of Loratadine Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Feeling tired or drowsy
• Stomach pain, vomiting, nausea
• Dry mouth
• Feeling nervous or hyperactive
• Fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Coughing
• Dizziness

Serious

• Fast or uneven heart rate, palpitations
• Severe headache
• A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
• Allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Abnormal liver function
• Convulsions and seizures (very rare)

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take loratadine if you are allergic to loratadine or to desloratadine.
• Some chewable and disintegrating tablet forms may contain phenylalanine, which could be harmful for people with phenylketonuria (PKU); talk to a doctor first.
• Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without medical advice, as misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children can cause death.
• Loratadine should not be given to children between 2 and 12 years old for longer than 14 days unless a doctor recommends it.
• Stop taking loratadine 48 hours before any skin allergy testing, since antihistamines can affect the results.
• Ask a doctor before using loratadine if you are pregnant. One manufacturer's product information states it is not recommended during pregnancy because safe use has not been established, though other sources note it is generally considered among the safer antihistamines for allergy control during pregnancy.
• Ask a doctor before using loratadine if you are breastfeeding. Loratadine and its active metabolite do pass into breast milk.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking loratadine if you have kidney disease, since your body may not clear the drug as well and a dose adjustment may be needed.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking loratadine if you have liver disease. People with severe liver impairment may need a lower dose.
• Alcohol has not been found to interact with loratadine, and it does not appear to worsen the effects of alcohol on driving performance.
• Loratadine does not usually cause drowsiness, but some people may get sleepy, so use caution before driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat
• Store between 15° and 30°C and protect from exposure to excessive moisture
• Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children
• Keep out of sight and reach of children
• Dispose of unneeded medications through a medicine take-back program rather than flushing down the toilet

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using loratadine and call your doctor right away if you have a fast or uneven heartbeat, a severe headache, or feel light-headed like you might pass out.
• If you take too much loratadine, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center right away.
• If you experience a rash, hives, itching, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, stop taking the medicine and call your doctor immediately.

Alternatives

• Claritin
• Alavert
• Claritin-D
• Alavert D
• Cetirizine
• Fexofenadine