Loratadine is an antihistamine that works by reducing the effects of the body’s natural chemical histamine. Sneezing, burning sensation, watery eyes, and a runny nose are all symptoms of histamine.
How Does Loratadine Work?
Loratadine operates on histamine-1 (H-1) receptors in the peripheral nervous system (these are histamine receptors located outside the spinal cord and brain). Compared to some previous antihistamines, loratadine is far less likely to cause drowsiness because it acts on peripheral histamine receptors.
Histamine is a substance that mast cells release in response to an allergy, and it is accountable for many of the signs of an allergic reaction, including mucous membrane swelling, sneezing, and itching. Loratadine binds to histamine receptors and inhibits histamine from affecting them, hence reducing allergic reaction symptoms.
After oral treatment, loratadine is well absorbed, and peak levels are attained within an hour. Symptom relief can happen within 10-20 minutes of the initial dose, with a 27-minute average impact time. Individuals should experience a reduction in allergy symptoms after 45 minutes. If this is not the case, get additional medical advice (Peters, D.H., 1994).
Side Effects:
Stop taking this medicine and see your doctor right away if you have:(Harris, A.G., 1999)
- Extreme headaches.
- Irregular heart rate.
- A sense of dizziness, as if you’re about to pass out.
Common side effects may include:
- stomach ache.
- Nausea.
- Nervousness.
- Hypertension.
- Dry mouth.
- Feeling drowsy or tired.
Forms and Strengths
Loratadine is a pill or a liquid that is taken by mouth (solution). Chewable and orally disintegrating tablets are also available. Placed on the tongue, orally disintegrating pills dissolve quickly.
Orally disintegration pills – 5mg, 10mg
Chewable tablets – 5mg
Liquid – 1mg/mL
Tablets – 10mg
Dosage:
Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:
- 10 mg once a day orally. Maximum dose: 10 mg per day
Adult Dose for Urticaria:
- 10 mg once a day orally. Maximum dose: 10 mg per day
Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:
- 2–5 years old: 5 mg once a day orally. Maximum dose: 5 mg/day
- 6 years and older: 10 mg once a day orally. Maximum dose: 10 mg/day
Pediatric Dose for Urticaria:
- 2–5 years old: 5 mg once a day orally. Maximum dose: 5 mg/day
- 6 years and older: 10 mg once a day orally. Maximum dose: 10 mg/day
How Should I Take Loratadine?
What Other Medications will have an Effect on Loratadine?
Desloratadine and loratadine are quite similar. When taking loratadine, avoid taking any drugs that include desloratadine. Certain laboratory tests (including allergy skin testing) may be affected by this medicine, potentially leading to erroneous test findings.
Make sure your laboratory personnel and all of your doctors are aware that you are taking this medication. Despite the fact that loratadine is classified as “non-sedating” since it produces less sedation than first-generation antihistamines, it can nevertheless cause dose-related sleepiness.
When taking loratadine with other medications that depress the central nervous system or produce drowsiness, use caution and keep an eye out for drowsiness. Other products containing antihistamines, antidepressants, pain medicines, beta-blockers, muscle relaxants, and benzodiazepines are among them.
A Study On Loratadine In The Symptomatic Treatment Of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis:
The Clinique des Maladies Respiratires, Hopital l’Alguelongue, Montpellier, France conducted a study between Loratadine, Mequitazine and a placebo to know its effectiveness when it comes to allergies.
Loratadine is an H1 antagonist with no anticholinergic or sedative properties. The efficacy and safety of loratadine and mequitazine were compared in 69 patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group research. During the peak of the pollen season, patients allergic to grass pollen were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups and tracked for up to two weeks. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis were assessed by the physician on day 3, 7, and 14 following treatment, with patients evaluating their response daily on diary cards.
When loratadine and mequitazine were compared to the placebo, both produced a significant reduction in nasal symptoms. After 3 days of treatment, loratadine was found to be significantly superior to placebo, whereas patients treated with mequitazine only saw a meaningful improvement after 7 days. None of the two anti-H1 antagonists produced a substantial improvement in non-nasal symptoms, which could be due to low symptoms at baseline.
Hence stating that Loratadine had no more negative effects than the placebo. Loratadine is an anti-H1 histamine with a fast onset of action that is both effective and safe.
Can Loratadine be bought over the counter?
Loratadine is an OTC medication. All pharmacies have been prevalent in getting this medicine to the user but are missing the trust factor. We provide accurate information on where to buy? How to buy? Loratidine safely and securely. Trust our source and our information on this subject and get true value to your questions from our answers. We get your queries solved through our resources and get smiles on your faces.
Synopsis
Loratadine (Claritin) is an OTC medicine that improves the symptoms of seasonal and non-seasonal (perennial) allergies, as well as allergic rhinitis. Wal-itin, Alavert, and Dimetapp Children’s Non-Drowsy Allergy are some of the other brand names for loratadine.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved loratadine for over-the-counter sale in 2002, after it was previously only available via prescription. Loratadine medications containing pseudoephedrine are also accessible without a prescription, but must be purchased at the pharmacy register after being stocked behind the counter.
