Loratadine oral
- Drugs List
- Therapeutic Indications
- Dosage
- Contraindications
- Precautions and Warnings
- Pregnancy and Lactation
- Side Effects
- Monograph
Presentation
Oral formulations of loratadine.
Drugs List
Therapeutic Indications
Uses
Allergic rhinitis - perennial and seasonal
Chronic idiopathic urticaria
Dosage
Adults
10mg once daily.
Children
Children over 12 years
10mg once daily.
Children 2 to 12 years of age with body weight more than 30kg
10mg once daily.
Children 2 to 12 years of age with body weight 30kg or less
5mg once daily.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment
Severe Hepatic Impairment
Adults and children weighing more than 30kg
An initial dose of 10mg every other day.
Children weighing 30kg or less
An initial dose of 5mg every other day.
Contraindications
Children under 2 years
Precautions and Warnings
Weight below 30kg
Breastfeeding
Galactosaemia
Glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome
Hereditary fructose intolerance
Lactose intolerance
Pregnancy
Severe hepatic impairment
Reduce dose in patients with severe hepatic impairment
Advise patient drowsiness may affect ability to drive or operate machinery
Not all formulations suitable for patients with body weight 30kg or less
Oral solution with maltitol unsuitable in hereditary fructose intolerance
Some formulations contain lactose
Some formulations contain sucrose
Discontinue 48 hours before skin tests involving allergies
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy
Use loratadine with caution during pregnancy.
The manufacturers note that it is preferable not to use this medication pregnancy.
Although it is not known if loratadine crosses the human placenta, the molecular weight, about 383, is low enough for passage to the foetus to be expected.
There is no evidence of increased teratogenicity in animals or humans. Human experience indicates that loratadine, in line with other antihistamines, is not a major human teratogen. If an oral antihistamine agent is required during pregnancy, first generation agents such as chlorpheniramine or tripelennamine should be considered. However, loratadine and cetirizine are acceptable alternatives, except during the 1st trimester, if a first-generation drug was not tolerated.
Lactation
Use loratadine with caution during breastfeeding.
The manufacturers note that this medication is not recommended during breastfeeding.
Loratadine and its metabolite, descarboethoxyloratadine, are excreted into human milk.
Side Effects
Abnormal liver function
Alopecia
Anaphylaxis
Angioedema
Convulsions
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Fatigue
Gastritis
Headache
Hypersensitivity reactions
Increased appetite
Insomnia
Nausea
Nervousness
Palpitations
Rash
Tachycardia
Weight gain
Overdosage
It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.
The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111
Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).
Further Information
Last Full Review Date: April 2019
Reference Sources
Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk, 10th edition (2015) ed. Briggs, G., Freeman, R. Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Bells Healthcare Children's Allergy Relief 5mg/5ml Oral Solution. Relonchem Limited. Revised May 2022.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Clarityn Allergy 1mg/ml syrup. Bayer plc. Revised October 2015.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Clarityn Allergy 10mg tablets. Bayer plc. Revised August 2018.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Clarityn Rapide Allergy 10mg tablets. Bayer plc. Revised March 2018.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Lorapaed Allergy Relief 5mg/5ml Oral Solution. Pinewood Healthcare. Revised July 2016.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Loratadine 5mg/5ml Oral Solution. Torrent Pharma (UK) Ltd. Revised July 2018.
NICE Evidence Services Available at: www.nice.org.uk Last accessed: 16 November 2022
Medscape UK | Univadis prescription drug monographs & interactions are based on FDB Multilex Content
FDB Disclaimer : FDB Multilex is intended for the use of healthcare professionals and is provided on the basis that the healthcare professionals will retain FULL and SOLE responsibility for deciding what treatment to prescribe or dispense for any particular patient or circumstance.