Loratadine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihistamine

Generic and brand names: loratadine, oral; Alavert; Claritin; Claritin Hives Relief; Claritin Reditabs (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an antihistamine taken by mouth to treat seasonal allergies (hay fever) and other allergic conditions that may cause hives, itching, sneezing, or a runny nose. Usually this medicine does not cause drowsiness.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Talk with your healthcare provider before using this medicine if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• diabetes
• heart disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• thyroid disease

Phenylketonurics: some of these products, such as the quick dissolving tablets, may contain phenylalanine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

This medicine is available without a prescription and may come in different forms, including tablets, disintegrating tablets (that dissolve quickly on your tongue), chewable tablets, and a liquid. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed or according to the directions on the package. Do not take more or take it more often than directed.

If you are using the liquid medicine, measure it carefully with a measuring device that comes in the package. If the package does not have a measuring device, ask for one from your pharmacist.

Do not take more than one 10-mg tablet every 24 hours unless your healthcare provider approves.

Alavert quick dissolving tablets and Claritin Reditabs (10 mg) dissolve quickly on your tongue. You can take them with or without water.

If you are giving this medicine to a child, follow your healthcare provider's directions exactly. Do not give this medicine to children younger than 2 years of age. Do not give more of this medicine than your healthcare provider prescribes.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: headache, drowsiness, fast pounding heartbeat.

What should I watch out for?

Do not give a child under age 4 any cough and cold medicines unless specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Usually, this medicine causes little or no drowsiness compared with other antihistamines. However, do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert. You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Do not take this medicine for other conditions unless your healthcare provider approves.

Rarely, this medicine may make your mouth dry. If this feeling becomes bothersome, contact your healthcare provider.

Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve in several days, if you develop a high fever, or if your symptoms get worse.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Extreme drowsiness or dizziness, extremely dry mouth, constant headache, irregular or fast heartbeat.

Other: Fatigue, nervousness, trouble sleeping, wheezing, dry mouth.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as erythromycin (Erythrocin, E.E.S., EryPed, E-Mycin, Ilotycin) and clarithromycin (Biaxin)
• antifungals such as clotrimazole (Mycelex), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• anti-HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), amprenavir (Agenerase), and ritonavir (Norvir)
• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet-HB)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• other antihistamines, including nonprescription products

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Do not freeze. Use the medicine within 6 months of opening the foil pouch.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.