Loratadine, the active component of Claritin tablets is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Loratadine is a class drug into antihistamine group. It works by blocking the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body which are responsible for causing allergy or itchiness. This treatment was developed by Schering Corporation after details about Claritin’s run-away success hit the news. Approved by the FDA, Loratadine has since then become famous. If you need any additional information about Loratadine, just continue reading the FAQs that follow.
You can buy generic Loratadine tablets in 10 mg strength. Syrup is available containing 1 mg Loratadine per mL; amber glass bottles of 16 fluid ounces & Reditabs are available as 10 mg tablets.
Certain precautions should be taken prior to taking Loratadine. The most important is that it should only be taken under medical supervision & if you taking as self medication then read complete instructions. Benefit of Loratadine treatment should be considered with the side effect of drowsiness & sedation. Loratadine is contraindicated in those patients with a known hypersensitivity to it or any of its ingredients or for the patients with kidney or liver disease, then you should consult your doctor clarifying the condition. This drug may make you drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness.
Claritin or its generic alternatives all have certain side effects, the most common of which are severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue). Therefore, your doctor should decide according to the benefit to risk ratio with Loratadine. The severity of these Loratadine side effects differs from patient to patient. Moreover, it is meant to be used by the prescription of a doctor & now available over-the-counter; it should be used with cautions in special populations like children below 2 years of age.
