Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Loratadine is a long-actingantihistamine. Histamine is a chemical that causes many of the signs thatare part of allergic reactions, for example, swelling of tissues.Histamine is released from histamine-storing cells (mast cells) andattaches to other cells that have receptors for histamine. The attachmentof the histamine to the receptors causes the cell to be "activated,"releasing other chemicals which produce the effects that we associate withallergy. Loratadine blocks one type of receptor for histamine (the H1receptor) and thus prevents activation of cells by histamine. Unlike mostother antihistamines, loratadine does not enter the brain from the bloodand, therefore, does not cause drowsiness.

PREPARATIONS: Loratadine tablets (white-to-off-white): 10 mg; Claritin RediTabs are rapidly disintegrating tablets that are round, white-to-off-white, and mint flavored containing 10 mg loratadine. Loratadine also is available as a syrup. The nonprescription form of loratadine, Alavert, is available as a 10 mg tablet.

STORAGE: Tablets should be stored at 2-30°C (36-86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Loratadine is used for the relief of nasal andnon-nasal symptoms of various allergic conditions such as seasonalallergic rhinitis. It is also used to treat patients with chronicurticaria, a type of allergic skin rash.

DOSING: Loratadine is generally prescribed once daily. Patientswith liver diseases or with reduced kidney function need lower doses thanpatients with normal liver and kidney function.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no known clinically important druginteractions with loratadine.

PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of loratadine inpregnant women. However, studies in animals suggest no important effectson the fetus. Loratadine therefore can be used in pregnancy if thephysician feels that it is necessary.

NURSING MOTHERS: Loratadine is secreted in breast milk. Althoughno side effects have been described in nursing infants whose mothers havetaken loratadine, this medication should be used with caution in nursingmothers. Loratadine should not be used in children under the age of 12years.

SIDE EFFECTS: In studies in which loratadine was compared to aplacebo (an inactive tablet which was made to look like loratadine), therates of side effects with loratadine was no greater than that of theplacebo. The most common complaints were headache, tiredness, and drymouth.