Loratadine (Drugs / Medicine)

Loratadine is an antihistamine drug used to treat allergies, and marketed for its non-sedating properties. It is marketed by Schering-Plough and Shionogi in Japan under several trade names such as Claritin, Claritin-D, Claritine, Clarityn, Clarityne or Fristamin depending on the market; by Cadila as Lorfast; by Lek as Lomilan or Flonidan; by Sandoz as Symphoral; by Ranbaxy as Roletra; by Pliva as Rinolan; by Teva as AllergyX; by Wyeth as Alavert; and by Pharma International as Tidilor. It is also available as a generic. In a version marketed as Claritin-D or Clarinase, loratadine is combined with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant; this makes it somewhat useful for colds as well as allergies, but adds potential side-effects of insomnia, nervousness, and anxiety.


Side-effects

Non-sedating antihistamine
As a non-sedating antihistamine, loratadine causes less sedation and psychomotor impairment than the older antihistamines because it penetrates the blood brain barrier only to a slight extent.

Although drowsiness is rare at the common 10 mg dose, patients should nevertheless be advised that it can occur and may affect performance of skilled tasks (e.g. driving); excess alcohol should be avoided.


 Other rarer side-effects
Hypotension, extrapyramidal effects, dizziness, confusion, depression, sleep disturbances, lower back pain, tremor, convulsions, palpitation, arrhythmias, hypersensitivity reactions (including bronchospasm, angioedema, and anaphylaxis, rashes, and photosensitivity reactions), blood disorders, liver dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, and angle-closure glaucoma are less common side effects.

 Cautions and contraindications
Loratadine should be used with caution in hepatic disease and dose reduction may be necessary in renal impairment. Caution may be required in epilepsy. Children and the elderly are more susceptible to side-effects (see Side-effects section above). Loratadine is a category L-2 (classified by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a drug "Usually Compatible With Breast-feeding") and category B in pregnancy.

Most common side-effects
Drowsiness, headache, psychomotor impairment, and antimuscarinic effects such as urinary retention, dry mouth, blurred vision, and gastrointestinal disturbances are the most common side effects.