Loratadine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Loratadine?

What is loratadine for?

Loratadine is an antihistamine type allergy medication that can treat allergy symptoms, such as:

• itchy rash
• runny nose
• watery eyes
• sneezing due to hay fever

Loratadine is a drug whose goal is not to prevent hives or treat serious allergic reactions (such as anaphylactic shock). Therefore, if your doctor prescribes epinephrine to treat your allergic reaction, always carry the epinephrine injection with you. Do not use loratadine as a substitute for epinephrine.

Loratadine for allergy symptoms

This drug is often used to treat inhalation allergies. This is the most common type of allergy.

Usually this allergy is caused by exposure to pollutants, especially in developing countries which are also often associated with asthma, rhinitis, and acute respiratory infections.

Apart from allergies from outside, this allergy drug is also often used when allergies are always triggered because they are indoors. In the room there are also various airborne allergens such as mold, pet dander, and dust mites.

How does this drug work?

Allergy itching medication is an antihistamine that works to relieve allergy symptoms. When you eat or come in contact with an allergen (allergen) that is actually harmless, the histamine, which is produced by the immune system, will overreact.

Histamine also commands the body to fight allergens. This is what causes allergic reactions or symptoms, namely itchy skin, nose, and eyes.

To relieve allergy symptoms, itching drugs function to stop or limit histamine activity in the body. However, allergy itch medications cannot be used to prevent allergic reactions or treat severe allergic reactions such as anaphylactics.

Loratadine is also a second-generation antihistamine drug that doesn't cause drowsiness and is taken once a day. Various studies have shown that cetirizine and loratadine are both effective against allergy symptoms, namely itching. However, for its antihistamine effect, the drug loratadine is sufficient to relieve allergy symptoms.

Loratadine dosage

How is loratadine used?

Do not give this medicine to children under 6 years of age unless directed by a doctor. If you are taking chewable tablets do not give them to children under 2 years of age unless they are directed and prescribed by a doctor.

If you are using a product without a prescription, read all directions on the product package before using it. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, follow the doctor's instructions and instructions as prescribed.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor or on the product package.

If you choose chewable tablets, chew each tablet well and swallow. Dosage is based on your age, condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than recommended. Do not take more of this medication than recommended based on your age.

Tell your doctor if your allergies do not improve after 3 days of using the medicine or if the itching lasts more than 6 weeks.

How to store this drug?

Loratadine is a drug that is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your product.

Loratadine side effects

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of loratadine for adults?

The following are the recommended loratadine dosages for adults:

Standard adult dosage for allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis, or allergic runny nose, is a type of rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal membrane) that occurs when you inhale an allergen. This is the body's overreaction in response to an allergen.

There are two types of allergic rhinitis: seasonal (a period of time in a year) and annual (throughout the year). This condition can happen to anyone at any age.

For rhinitis, the dose of the drug loratadine taken is 10 mg. The rule can be drunk once a day.

Standard adult dosage for hives

Urticaria, more commonly known as hives or hives, is a condition in which the skin has a raised, itchy rash that appears on one part of the body or spreads over a larger area. This condition is not a dangerous disease, but it is certainly very uncomfortable.

For hives, the dose of loratadine taken by mouth is 10 mg. The rule can be drunk once a day

What is the dose of loratadine for children?

The following are the recommended loratadine dosages for children:

Standard pediatric dosage for allergic rhinitis

For allergic rhinitis, the dose of loratadine for children aged 2-5 years is 5 mg taken once a day (syrup).

For allergic rhinitis, the dose of loratadine for children aged 6 years and over is 10 mg taken once a day (tablets, capsules, and disintegrating tablets).

Standard children's dosage for hives

For hives, the dose of loratdine for children aged 2-5 years is 5 mg taken once a day (syrup).

For hives, the dose of loratdine for children 6 years of age and over is 10 mg taken once a day (tablet, capsule, or disintegrating tablet).

In what dosage is this drug available?

Loratadine is a drug that is available in 10 mg tablets.

Important to note, the dose of the drug loratadine varies from person to person. The dose may be adjusted according to the condition, age, history of the disease and the severity of the condition. Please consult your doctor for further dosages of loratadine.

Never take, add to, or even combine the drug loratadine without consulting your doctor.

Loratadine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What are the side effects of loratadine?

Seek medical help immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to a drug, such as:

• itchy rash
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects such as:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Feel like passing out
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Convulsions

Less serious side effects of loratadine include:

• Headache
• Nervous
• Feeling tired or sleepy
• Stomach pain, diarrhea
• Dry mouth, sore throat
• Red eyes, blurred vision
• Bloody nose
• Skin rash

Symptoms of this drug allergy may be so mild that you may not even notice. You may just have a rash on your skin. However, a severe drug allergy can be life threatening.

Anaphylactic shock is a sudden and severe whole-body reaction to medication or other allergies. This usually occurs immediately after exposure to the substance and symptoms include an irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, swelling, and fainting. If not treated immediately, anaphylactics can cause death.

Not everyone experiences the side effects described above. Side effects can occur according to the conditions and procedures for using the drug. There may also be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Loratadine Drug Interactions

What should be known before using loratadine?

Before using loratadine, you must do and know the following things.

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to loratadine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in loratadine. Check the ingredients list on the packaging.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you will and are already using.
• Tell your doctor if you have had asthma, kidney or liver disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using loratadine, call your doctor.
• If you have phenylketonuria you should know the brands of the disintegrating tablets which may contain aspartame which forms phenylalanine.

Is loratadine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. These health conditions and allergy medications need to be discussed with your doctor from the time you plan your pregnancy. Later, the doctor will arrange for the administration of these drugs to be safe for your pregnancy, either by rearranging the dosage or by replacing certain drugs with other drugs.

Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the Food and Drug Administration in the United States (equivalent to the POM in Indonesia).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Loratadine can be passed through mother's milk to the baby, which can be dangerous for the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Loratadine overdose

What medicines may interact with loratadine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's approval.

Loratadine is similar to desloratadine. Do not use medications containing desloratadine while taking loratadine.

Does food or alcohol interact with loratadine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with loratadine?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have any health problems, specifically:

• Diabetes mellitus type 2 ⎯ risk of heart disease or blood vessel problems for patients with diabetes
• Enlarged prostate
• Difficulty urinating
• Glaucoma
• Heart or blood vessel disease
• High blood pressure ⎯ can raise blood pressure and speed up the heart rate
• ⎯ kidney disease can increase side effects due to high blood levels of loratadine
• Liver disease
• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroid)
• Urine retention ⎯ the condition got worse with the use of pseudoephedrine

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose signs include:

• The heart beats fast
• Limp
• Headache
• Strange body movements

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.