Brand Name: Claritin
Generic Name: Loratadine

Loratadine

(lore-AT-uh-DEEN)

ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL)
Seasonal allergic rhinitis, idiopathic chronic urticaria

BRAND NAME
Alavert, Claritin, Apo-Loratadine

DRUG CLASS
Antihistamine

DESCRIPTION
This drug decreases allergic response by blocking histamine at H₁-receptors.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Nervousness, headache, increased appetite, fatigue, difficulty sleeping.

CAUTIONS

• If you are due to have any skin prick tests to diagnose allergies you should stop taking your antihistamines at least 48 hours before the tests. This is because antihistamines can prevent or lessen the skin reactions that indicate an allergy, and so can make the test results unreliable.
• If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
• Although loratadine is a non-sedating antihistamine, very rarely some people may experience drowsiness, which may affect your ability to drive or operate machinary. You should make sure you know how this medicine affects you before you perform potentially hazardous activites.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole. Antidepressants, other antihistamines, sedative/hypnotics.

FOOD INTERACTIONS
Alcohol

HERBAL INTERACTIONS
Chamomile, hops, Jamaican dogwood, kava, khat, senega, skullcap, valerian, corkwood, henbane leaf

PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
Pregnancy category B, excreted into breast milk at levels equivalent to serum levels

SPECIAL INFORMATION
Use with caution in

• severely decreased liver function