Loratadine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Loratadine is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, hay fever, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.

Loratadine is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to loratadine or to desloratadine (Clarinex).

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Some chewable dosage forms of loratadine may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using these forms of loratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have liver or kidney disease.

Before taking this medicine

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if loratadine is safe to use if you have ever had:

• kidney disease; or

• liver disease.

The disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without medical advice.

Use loratadine exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cold or allergy medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Loratadine is usually taken once per day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not crush, chew, or break the regular tablet. Swallow the pill whole.

A child's dose is based on age and some forms of loratadine are not for use in children younger than 6 years old. Carefully follow the dosing instructions provided with this medicine.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

To take the orally disintegrating tablet (Claritin RediTab, Alavert):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Open the package and peel back the foil. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.

• Use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth.

• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

10 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Use: Temporary relief of symptoms associated with hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies (e.g., runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, itching of the nose/throat)

Usual Adult Dose for Urticaria:

10 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Use: Temporary relief of symptoms associated with hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies (e.g., runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, itching of the nose/throat)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

2 to 5 years: 5 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 5 mg/day

6 years and older: 10 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Use: Temporary relief of symptoms associated with hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies (e.g., runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, itching of the nose/throat)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Urticaria:

2 to 5 years: 5 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 5 mg/day

6 years and older: 10 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 10 mg/day

Use: Temporary relief of symptoms associated with hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies (e.g., runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, itching of the nose/throat)

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if loratadine is safe to use if you have ever had:

• kidney disease; or

• liver disease.

The disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without medical advice.

Loratadine is used when needed. Do not use loratadine more than once in a 24-hour period. Do not use two doses at one time.

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

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom)and away from light. Use the orally disintegrating tablets immediately after you remove them from the blister package, and within 6 months after you open the outer foil pouch. Write the date that you open the foil pouch on the product label so that you will know when 6 months have passed.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

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

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• fast or uneven heart rate;

• severe headache; or

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

Common loratadine side effects may include:

• headache;

• feeling tired or drowsy;

• stomach pain, vomiting;

• dry mouth; or

• feeling nervous or hyperactive.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other drugs may interact with loratadine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about loratadine.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

You should start to feel better within about an hour of taking loratadine.

Depending on your condition, you may only need to use this medicine for a short period of time, or you might need to take it longer to treat stubborn allergies.

Generally, it’s considered safe to use loratadine for a long time, but you should only take it if you need it.

Your dose of loratadine will depend on your age.

The usual dose for adults and kids 6 years and older is 10 milligrams (mg), once a day. The typical dose for children between ages 2 and 5 is 5 mg, once a day.

Loratadine may be used for conditions not listed in this medical guide.

• Alavert® D (containing Loratadine, Pseudoephedrine)
• Claritin-D® (containing Loratadine, Pseudoephedrine)