General Information and Indications:
Loratadine is used to relieve hay fever
and allergy symptoms, including sneezing; runny nose; and red, itchy,
tearing eyes. Loratadine is in a class of medications called antihistamines.
It works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic
symptoms. Loratadine may cause less drowsiness than other antihistamines.
Information For Users:
Loratadine comes as a syrup, a tablet, and a
rapidly disintegrating tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a
day with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label,
ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take loratadine
exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often
than prescribed by your health care provider.
To take the rapidly disintegrating tablet, place the tablet on your tongue.
It will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with saliva.
Other uses for this medicine
Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to loratadine or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially erythromycin (E-Mycin), ketoconazole
(Nizoral), medications for asthma or colds, medications for depression,
muscle relaxants, pain medications, sedatives, sleeping pills,
tranquilizers, and vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding kidney or liver disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking loratadine, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking loratadine.
o plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear
protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Loratadine may make your
skin sensitive to sunlight.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Though adverse effects of loratadine are not
common, they could occur. You may have discolored urine; this effect is
harmless. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or
do not go away:
o headache
o dry mouth, nose, and throat
o drowsiness
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o rapid heartbeat
o difficulty in urination
o vision problems
o dizziness
o muscle weakness
Brand Name(s):
o Alavert® Non-Drowsy Allergy Relief 24
Hour
o Children's Claritin® Fruit Flavored Syrup 24 Hour
o Claritin® 24 Hour
o Claritin® Reditabs® 24 Hour
Other Name(s):
o Alavert® Allergy & Sinus D-12 Hour
containing Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate
o Claritin-D® 12 Hour containing Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine
Sulfate
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