Loratadine
Indications
Loratadine is used for:
Pneumonia, Allergic rhinitis, Pruritus, Urticaria, Sneezing, Allergic conditions, Rhinorrhea, Lacrimation
Adult Dose
Oral
Allergic Rhinitis, Urticaria
Tablet
10 mg once daily or 5 mg 12 hrly.
not to exceed 10 mg qDAy
Oral Suspension
2 teaspoonful (10 ml) suspension once daily or
1 teaspoonful (5 ml) suspension 12 hrly.
Hepatic impairment: 10 mg PO every other day
Child Dose
Oral
Tablet
Allergic Rhinitis
<2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
2-6 years: 5 mg PO qDay
>6 years: 10 mg PO qDay; not to exceed 10 mg qDay
Urticaria
<6 years: Safety and efficacy not established
> 6 years: 10 mg PO qDay
Oral Suspension
Allergic Rhinitis
<2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
2-6 years: 1 teaspoonful (5 ml) suspension once daily.
>6 years: 2 teaspoonful (10 ml) suspension once daily; not to exceed 10 mg qDay
Urticaria
<6 years: Safety and efficacy not established
> 6 years: 2 teaspoonful (10 ml) suspension once daily
Renal Dose
Renal impairment
Adult
(GFR <30 mL/min): 10 mg PO every other day
2-6 years: 5 mg PO every other day
>6 years: 10 mg PO every other day
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Contra Indications
Pregnancy, lactation, children <2 yr.
Precautions
Severe hepatic damage, epilepsy, renal insufficiency.
Lactation: Excreted in breast milk; avoid (AAP Committee states compatible with nursing)
Pregnancy-Lactation
Interactions
May increase plasma concentrations w/ inhibitors of CYP3A4 and/or CYP2D6 (e.g. cimetidine, erythromycin, ketoconazole, clarithromycin, quinidine, fluconazole, fluoxetine).
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Loratadine :
>10%
Headache (12%)
1-10%
Somnolence (8%).Drowsiness (8%),Nervousness (4%),Fatigue (3-4%),Dry mouth (3%),Hyperkinesia (3%),Conjunctivitis (2%),Dysphonia (2%),Malaise (2%),URTI (2%),Abdominal pain (2%)
Frequency Not Defined
Autonomic nervous system: Altered lacrimation, altered salivation, flushing, hypoesthesia, impotence, increased sweating, thirst
Cardiovascular: HTN, hypotension, palpitations, supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, syncope, tachycardia
CNS: Blepharospasm, dizziness, dysphonia, hypertonia, migraine, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo
GI: Altered taste, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastritis, hiccup, increased appetite, loose stools, nausea, vomiting
Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, myalgia
Psychiatric: Agitation, amnesia, anxiety, confusion, decreased libido, depression, impaired concentration, insomnia, irritability, paroniria
Reproductive: Breast pain, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, vaginitis
Respiratory: Bronchitis, bronchospasm, coughing, dyspnea, hemoptysis, laryngitis, nasal dryness, sinusitis, sneezing
Skin: Dermatitis, dry hair, dry skin, photosensitivity reaction, pruritus, purpura, urticaria
Urinary: Altered micturition, urinary discoloration, urinary incontinence, urinary retention
Other
Angioneurotic edema,Asthenia,Back pain,Blurred vision,Chest pain,Earache,Eye pain,Fever,Leg cramps,Malaise
Rigors,Tinnitus,Weight gain
Mechanism of Action
Loratadine is a non-sedating antihistamine. It works by selectively binding to peripheral histamine H1-receptors on effector cells.