Loratidine
Loratidine (Claritin)
Loratidine
(loh- RAH-tih-deen)
Pregnancy Category: B Claritin Claritin Reditabs (Rx)

Classification: Antihistamine

See Also: See also Antihistamines.

Action/Kinetics: Metabolized in the liver to active metabolite descarboethoxyloratidine. Low to no sedative and anticholinergic effects. Does not alter cardiac repolarization and has not been linked to development of torsades de pointes as seen with astemizole and terfenadine. Onset: 1-3 hr. Maximum effect: 8-12 hr. Food delays absorption. t 1/2, loratidine: 8.4 hr; t 1/2, descarboethoxyloratidine: 28 hr. Duration: 24 hr. Excreted through both the urine and feces.

Uses: Relief of nasal and nonnasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, including runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, itchy palate, and sneezing. Treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria in clients 6 years of age and older.

Special Concerns: Use with caution, if at all, during lactation. Give a lower initial dose in liver impairment. Safety and efficacy have not been determined in children less than 2 years of age.

Side Effects: Most commonly, headache, somnolence, fatigue, and dry mouth. GI: Altered salivation, gastritis, dyspepsia, stomatitis, tooth ache, thirst, altered taste, flatulence. CNS: Hypoesthesia, hyperkinesia, migraine, anxiety, depression, agitation, paroniria, amnesia, impaired concentration. Ophthalmologic: Altered lacrimation, conjunctivitis, blurred vision, eye pain, blepharo-spasm. Respiratory: Upper respiratory infection, epistaxis, pharyngitis, dyspnea, coughing, rhinitis, sinusitis, sneezing, bronchitis, bronchospasm hemoptysis, laryngitis. Body as a whole: Asthenia, increased sweating, flushing, malaise, rigors, fever, dry skin, aggravated allergy, pruritus, purpura. Musculoskeletal: Back/chest pain, leg cramps, arthralgia, myalgia. GU: Breast pain, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, vaginitis. Miscellaneous: Earache, dysphonia, dry hair, urinary discoloration.

How Supplied: Syrup: 5 mg/5 mL; Tablet: 10 mg

Dosage
?Syrup, Tablets Allergic rhinitis, chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Adults and children over 12 years of age: 10 mg once daily on an empty stomach. Children, 6 to 11 years of age: 10 mg (10 mL) once daily. In clients with impaired liver function (GFR less than 30 mL/min): 10 mg every other day.