• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is loratadine?
Loratadine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Loratadine is used to treat the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. It is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions. Loratadine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of loratadine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast or uneven heart rate;

• feeling like you might pass out;

• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or

• seizures (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;

• nervousness;

• feeling tired or drowsy;

• stomach pain, diarrhea;

• dry mouth, sore throat hoarseness;

• eye redness, blurred vision;

• nosebleed; or

• skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How should I take loratadine?
Take this medication as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Loratadine is usually taken once per day. Follow your doctor's instructions. Do not crush, chew, or break the regular loratadine tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Measure liquid form of loratadine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

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What is the most important information I should know about loratadine?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to loratadine or to desloratadine (Clarinex). Before taking loratadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old without the advice of a doctor. Loratadine disintegrating tablets (Claritin Reditab) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of loratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect loratadine?
There may be other drugs that can affect loratadine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Loratadine has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Loratadine is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

Loratadine concentrations in human milk approximate that found in the serum of the mother. Approximately 0.029% of the administered dose was excreted in human milk. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to loratadine or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, and fast or pounding heartbeat.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking loratadine?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to loratadine or to desloratadine (Clarinex). Before taking loratadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: kidney disease; or liver disease. If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take loratadine. FDA pregnancy category B: This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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