Claritin

Generic Name: Loratidine
Brand Name: Claritin

Indications

Claritin is indicated for the relief of nasal and non-nasal allergies

Dosage and Administration

Claritin is available as 10mg tablets, Syrup and reditabs.

Normal dosage: Adults and children 6 years of age and over: The recommended dose of Claritin is one 10 mg tablet or reditab, or 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mg) of syrup once daily.
Children 2 to 5 years of age: The recommended dose of Claritin Syrup is 5 mg (1 teaspoonful) once daily.
In adults and children 6 years of age and over with liver failure or renal insufficiency (GFR < 30 mL/min), the starting dose should be 10 mg (one tablet or two teaspoonfuls) every other day. In children 2 to 5 years of age with liver failure or renal insufficiency, the starting dose should be 5 mg (one teaspoonful) every other day.

Overdose: Overdose symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, and fast or pounding heartbeat.

Drug Description

Loratadine is a white to off-white powder not soluble in water, but very soluble in acetone, alcohol, and chloroform. It has a molecular weight of 382.89, and empirical formula of C22H23CIN2O2; its chemical name is ethyl 4-(8-chloro-5,6-dihydro-11H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridin-11-ylidene) -1-piperidinecarboxylate and has the following structural formula:

Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty in 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)
• 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
• skin rash.

Precautions
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
• 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.
Loratadine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Loratadine disintegrating tablets (Claritin Reditab, Alavert) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of loratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Drug Interactions

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.

Accolate
Accupril
Aciphex
Actonel
Actos
Advair
Agenerase
Alesse
Allegra D
Altace
Amaryl
Ansaid
Arava
Atrovent
Avandamet
Avandia
Avapro
Azopt
Baclofen
Benoxyl
Betagan
Betaxolol
Boniva
Bumex
BuSpar
Cafergot
Captopril
Cardizem
Cardura
Casodex
Celebrex
Celexa
Cellcept
Cialis
Cimetidine
Cipro
Claritin
Cotazym
Cozaar
Daypro
Depen
Detrol
Diovan
Doxepin
Effexor
Elavil
Eltroxin
Etidronate
Evista
Exelon
Famotidine
Famvir
Feldene
Femara
Fenofibrate
Flexeril
Flomax
Flonase
Florinef
Floxin
Fosamax
Gabapentin
Glyburide
Gonal
Halog
Humatin
Hydralazine

Hydrea
Hytrin
Hyzaar
Imdur
Imipramine
Imitrex
Isoptin
Keppra
Ketorolac
Labetalol
Lamictal
Lamisil
Lanoxin
Lescol
Levitra
Levsin
Lipitor
Lopid
Lotensi
Macrobid
Maxalt
Metformin
Metoprolol
Mevacor
Minocin
Naproxen
Nexium
Norvasc
Paroxetine
Pentasa
Permax
Plaquenil
Plavix
Plendil
Pravachol
Prazosin
Premarin
Prevacid
Prinivil
Procan
Propanolol
Propecia
Protonix
Questran
Quibron
Qvar
Razadyne
Relafen
Remeron
Requip
Rifadin
Rythmol
Septra
Singulair
Synthroid
Tambocor
Tazorac
Topamax
Vasotec
Viagra
Wellburtin
Xenical
Yohimbine
Zestril
Zetia
Zocor
Zoloft