Claritin (Loratadine) is an oral medication available in a form of tablets, syrup and rapidly disintegrating tablets (reditabs). Claritin tablets and Claritin reditabs has 10mg of loratadine. Claritin syrup has 1mg/ml loratadine. Claritin (Loratadine) is a tricyclic antihistamine. Histamine is responsible for many features of allergic reactions by preventing the immune system of the body to fight against these allergic reactions. Claritin (Loratadine) works by blocking the histamine. Claritin (Loratadine) is used for the treatment of allergic symptoms and hives. Claritin (Loratadine) is more effective and non-sedative too. Loratadine is an active ingredient of Claritin. Claritin (Loratadine) lasts for long and normally does not cause drowsiness. It does not readily enter the central nervous system and that is why Claritin (Loratadine) has non-sedative effect.

The dose of Claritin (Loratadine) depends on number of factors including the age of the patient and other medical conditions of the patient.
The recommended dose for adults and children 6 years of age and above is Claritin 10mg tablets or reditabs or 2 teaspoonfuls (10mg) of Claritin syrup once a day.
The recommended dose for children 2 to 5 years of age is 1 teaspoonful (5ml) of Claritin syrup once a day.
The recommended dose for adults and children 6 years of age and above with liver and kidney problem, is Claritin 10mg tablets or reditabs or 2 teaspoonfuls (10mg) of Claritin syrup on every other day.
The recommended dose for children 2 to 5 years of age with liver and kidney disease is 1 teaspoonful (5ml) of Claritin syrup on every other day.
Claritin reditabs should be placed on tongue which disintegrates within seconds, and then to be swallowed. It can be taken with or without water.

Patients 12 years old and above receiving Claritin 10mg tablets once daily are reported to have following Claritin (Loratadine) side effects; headache, somnolence, fatigue and dry mouth.
Patients receiving Claritin reditabs have similar adverse effects as Claritin 10mg tablets.
Pediatric patients 6 to 12 years old receiving 10mg Loratadine daily are reported to have following adverse effects; nervousness, wheezing, fatigue, hyperkinesias, abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, dysphonia, malaise and upper respiratory tract infection.
Pediatric patients 2 to 5 years old receiving 5mg Loratadine daily are reported to have following side effects; diarrhea, epistaxis, pharyngitis, influenza-like symptoms, fatigue, stomatitis, tooth disorder, earache, viral infection and rash.
Other additional side effects reported are flushing, impotence, increased sweating, edema, back pain, chest pain, eye pain, earache, leg cramps, syncope, hypertension, depression, hypotension, migraine, dizziness, tremor, vertigo, anorexia, amnesia, insomnia, breast pain, vaginitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, dry skin, urinary retention,seizures, jaundice and hepatitis.


headache
dry mouth, nose, and throat
drowsiness
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

rapid heartbeat
difficulty urinating
vision problems
dizziness
muscle weakness

Medications that could lead to Claritin (Loratadine) drug interactions when administered concurrently are; erythromycin, cimetidine and ketoconazole, increasing the level of Claritin (Loratadine) in blood. But these medications very rarely affect causing drug interactions.

Claritin (Loratadine) is used for the relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria in pediatric patients 2 years old and above.

Claritin (Loratadine) tablets should be stored at a temperature between 2°-30°C (36°-86°F).
Claritin (Loratadine) reditabs should be stored at a temperature between 2°-25°C (36°-77°F).
Claritin (Loratadine) syrup should be stored at a temperature between 2°-25°C (36°-77°F).
Keep in a dry place.

Claritin (Loratadine) should be used with caution and lower initial dose for the treatment of the patients with liver problem. The recommended dose should be reduced in case of the patients with kidney problem. Children and elderly patients are more susceptible to Claritin (Loratadine) side effects. Claritin (Loratadine) is compatible with breast feeding and pregnancy.

Patients with liver impairment and renal insufficiency should be administered with lower initial dose.
Children and elderly patients are more susceptible to Claritin (Loratadine) side effects.
Claritin (Loratadine) should be given to nursing mothers with caution.
Claritin (Loratadine) should not be given to pregnant women if not very much needed.