LORATADINE

(lor AT a deen) Brand: Alavert, Alavert Allergy, Claritin, Claritin 24 Hour Allergy, Claritin Hives Relief, Claritin Liqui-Gels, Claritin Reditab, Clear-Atadine, Clear-Atadine Children's, Dimetapp ND, Loratadine Reditab, ohm Allergy Relief, Tavist ND, Wal-itin

What is the most significant information I must know about loratadine?

• You must not take this medicine if you are allergic to loratadine or to desloratadine (Clarinex).

• Ask a doctor or pharmacist till taking this medication if you have liver or kidney disease.

• Do not give this medicine to a baby younger than 6 years old without the advice of a doctor.

• Loratadine disintegrating tablets (Claritin Reditab) may contain phenylalanine. Conversation to your doctor till using this form of loratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

What is loratadine?

• Loratadine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can manufacture symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

• Loratadine is used to treat the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. It is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions.

• Loratadine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking loratadine?

• You must not take this medicine if you are allergic to loratadine or to desloratadine (Clarinex).

• Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safety for you to take this medication if you have:

· kidney malady; or

· liver disease.

• FDA pregnancy category B: This medicine is not expected to be deleterious to an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

• Loratadine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

• Loratadine disintegrating tablets (Claritin Reditab, Alavert) may contain phenylalanine. Conversation to your doctor till using this form of loratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

• Do not give this medicine to a baby younger than 6 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How must I take loratadine?

• Use exactly as directed on the label, or as predesigned by your doctor. Do not use in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended.

• Loratadine is generally taken once for day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

• Do not crush, chew, or interrupt the regular loratadine tablet. Swallow the pill whole.

• Measure liquid medication with a particular dose-measuring spoon or medication cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

• To take loratadine orally disintegrating tablet (Claritin RediTab, Alavert):

· Hold the tablet in its blister pack before you are ready to take the medication. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may hurt the tablet.

· Using dry hands, remove the tablet and seat it on your tongue. It will begin to dissolve right away.

· Do not swallow the tablet intact. Let it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.

· Swallow different times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink water to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, and quick or pounding heartbeat.

What must I avoid while taking loratadine?

• Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of loratadine?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

· quick or uneven heart rate;

· feeling like you might pass out;

· jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or

· seizures (convulsions).

• Smaller serious side effects may include:

· headache;

· nervousness;

· feeling weary or drowsy;

· stomach pain, diarrhea;

· dry mouth, sore throat hoarseness;

· eye redness, blurred vision;

· nosebleed; or

· skin rash.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect loratadine?

• There may be another drugs that can interact with loratadine. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about loratadine.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.