Claritin

Generic name: Loratadine
Drug class: Antihistamines

Usage of Claritin

Claritin 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.

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

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

Claritin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Claritin: 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 Claritin 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.

    Before taking Claritin

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

  • kidney disease; or
  • liver disease.

    • The chewable Claritin 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.

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    How to use Claritin

    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)

    Warnings

    You should not take Claritin 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 Claritin 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 Claritin if you have liver or kidney disease.

    What other drugs will affect Claritin

    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.

    Popular FAQ

    Loratadine does not usually cause drowsiness and is considered a non-sedating antihistamine. However, some people may get sleepy so use caution before driving, operating machinery or performing other hazardous tasks until you know how loratadine affects you.

    Loratadine (brand example: Claritin), an over-the-counter (OTC) non-sedating antihistamine, does not usually increase blood pressure when used alone as a single ingredient. Some OTC combination products do contain loratadine plus the decongestant pseudoephedrine (brand example: Claritin-D), which can raise your blood pressure. In the US, Claritin-D and the generic are normally kept behind the pharmacy counter. If you have high blood pressure, are being treated for high blood pressure, or have concerns about your blood pressure, ask your doctor before you use pseudoephedrine in any form.

    Loratadine fully works within one hour after you take it and its effect should last for 24 hours. Your symptoms should start to improve in about 20 minutes. You only have to take loratadine once a day. Loratadine is an effective over-the-counter, non-sedating antihistamine used to treat sneezing, runny nose or watery eyes due to a cold or allergy, skin hives and itching.

    Yes, you can give loratadine to dogs, it is usually well tolerated and is unlikely to produce side effects such as drowsiness that tend to happen with some of the older antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (also known as Benadryl). The human form of loratadine is the same as the form administered to dogs and it can be purchased at any drug store or grocery store. Continue reading

    Loratadine does not usually cause drowsiness and is considered a non-sedating antihistamine. However, some people may get sleepy so use caution before driving, operating machinery or performing other hazardous tasks until you know how loratadine affects you.

    Loratadine (brand example: Claritin), an over-the-counter (OTC) non-sedating antihistamine, does not usually increase blood pressure when used alone as a single ingredient. Some OTC combination products do contain loratadine plus the decongestant pseudoephedrine (brand example: Claritin-D), which can raise your blood pressure. In the US, Claritin-D and the generic are normally kept behind the pharmacy counter. If you have high blood pressure, are being treated for high blood pressure, or have concerns about your blood pressure, ask your doctor before you use pseudoephedrine in any form.

    Loratadine fully works within one hour after you take it and its effect should last for 24 hours. Your symptoms should start to improve in about 20 minutes. You only have to take loratadine once a day. Loratadine is an effective over-the-counter, non-sedating antihistamine used to treat sneezing, runny nose or watery eyes due to a cold or allergy, skin hives and itching.

    Yes, you can give loratadine to dogs, it is usually well tolerated and is unlikely to produce side effects such as drowsiness that tend to happen with some of the older antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (also known as Benadryl). The human form of loratadine is the same as the form administered to dogs and it can be purchased at any drug store or grocery store. Continue reading

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