Hay fever (allergy to pollen, dust, or other elements in the air) and other allergies are treated with loratadine to temporarily reduce their symptoms. These signs consist of sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes, nose, or throat. The itching and redness brought on by hives are also treated with loratadine. Hives and other allergic skin reactions are not prevented by loratadine, though. Antihistamines are a class of drugs that includes lotadine. It functions by inhibiting the body’s production of histamine, which is responsible for the symptoms of allergies.

Moreover, loratadine and pseudoephedrine are readily available (Sudafed, others). Only details about the usage of loratadine alone are covered in this monograph. Read the information on the package label if you are taking a medicine that contains both loratadine and pseudoephedrine, or ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Loratadine is available as a tablet, a quickly dissolving tablet, and a syrup (liquid) for oral administration. Typically, it is taken once day, with or without food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions you do not understand, and carefully follow them. Follow the loratadine directions exactly. Never take it in amounts or frequencies other than those specified on the package label or as advised by your doctor. You can feel sleepy if you take more loratadine than is recommended.

If you’re taking a tablet that dissolves quickly, remove it from the blister package without breaking it by following the instructions on the package. The tablet should not be forced through the foil. Place the tablet on your tongue right away after removing it from the blister packet, then seal your mouth. The tablet can be ingested with or without water and will dissolve fast.

When treating hives that are damaged or blistered, have an unusual colour, or don’t itch, loratadine should not be used. If you experience this kind of hives, contact your doctor.

In the event that your hives do not subside during the first three days of treatment or if they persist for more than six weeks, stop taking loratadine and contact your doctor. Call your doctor if you are unsure of what is causing your hives.

Get immediate emergency medical attention if any of the following symptoms appear while using loratadine to treat hives: Wheezing, drooling, nausea, fainting, or loss of consciousness are some of the symptoms that might make it difficult to swallow, speak, or breathe. Swelling in the mouth or on the tongue is another. These could be signs of the potentially fatal allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Your doctor might recommend an epinephrine injector if he believes you could develop anaphylaxis while experiencing hives (EpiPen). Using loratadine in place of an epinephrine injector is not recommended.

If the safety seal on this drug is broken or cracked, do not use it.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information if you think this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking loratadine,

• If you have an allergy to loratadine, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in loratadine preparations, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. A list of the ingredients can be found on the package label.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Include any allergy and cold drugs you may be taking.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have previously had renal or liver illness, as well as asthma.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you get pregnant while taking loratadine.
• You should be aware that some brands of the orally disintegrating tablets may contain aspartame, which converts to phenylalanine and is dangerous if consumed by people with phenylketonuria (PKU), an inherited condition that requires adherence to a special diet to prevent brain damage that can result in severe intellectual disability.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Loratadine could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Mouth ache
• Nosebleed
• Unwell throat
• Oral sores
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Nervousness
• Weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Itching or inflamed eyes

There could be some severe negative effects. Call your doctor right away and stop taking loratadine if you suffer any of the following symptoms:

• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Swelling of the lower legs, hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower face, lips, tongue, throat, or eyes
• Hoarseness
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Wheezing

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature, away from sources of extreme heat or moisture (such as the restroom), and in a dark place. Take the orally disintegrating pills within six months after opening the outer foil bag and as soon as you take them out of the blister package. To keep track of when six months have elapsed, note the date you opened the foil packet on the product label.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Hammering or rapid heartbeat
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Inconsistent body movements

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

If you have any inquiries about loratadine, ask your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.