Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Loratadine

Loratadine: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Loratadine?

Loratadine is an antihistamine or anti-allergy medication. It helps manage the symptoms of allergies. It can be used in any condition where the person shows the signs of an allergy, such as redness, itching, watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, swelling, difficulty with breathing, etc. 

It does not cause drowsiness like other antihistamine medicines. It is not suitable for children under the age of two. Loratidine is a prescription medication, so consult your doctor before taking it.

What are the uses of Loratadine?

The primary use of loratadine is to reduce the symptoms of allergic reactions. You can use it in a number of conditions, such as

  • Hay fever (an allergic reaction that causes cold-like symptoms)
  • Seasonal allergies due to pollen, etc.
  • Food allergies, such as allergies due to peanuts or other nuts
  • Allergies to medicines
  • Swelling, itching, or redness caused by an insect bite
  • Allergy to synthetic materials like latex 
  • Allergy to pet hair of animals like dogs and cats

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    What are the side effects of Loratadine?

    Some of the side effects of loratadine are

    • Headache
    • Dryness of the mouth
    • Bleeding from the nose
    • Stomach pain
    • Diarrhoea
    • Sore throat
    • Mouth sores
    • Sleeping problems (difficulty sleeping or staying awake)
    • Nervousness
    • Fatigue

    Some of the rare and severe side effects, or if you are allergic to loratadine, are

    • Swelling in various parts of the face and body 
    • A skin allergy or rash
    • Itching
    • Hoarseness of voice
    • Breathing problems
    • Problems with swallowing
    • Wheezing (whistling sound during breathing)

    What is Loratadine

    Uses of Loratadine

    Side effects of Loratadine

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Loratadine

    No, it is not usually used for sore throat. A sore throat is a symptom of an infection in the upper respiratory tract. Loratadine does not lower the effects of infection or kill bacteria. However, it can be used to reduce the symptoms of common cold such as runny nose, sneezing, etc.

    Some medicines similar to loratadine can cause weight gain. But compared to other antihistamines, loratadine does not cause any significant changes in weight. If you are seeing any changes in your weight, inform your doctor and try to lead a healthy lifestyle.

    The maximum dose of loratadine is 10 mg/day for people aged six years and above and 5 mg/day for children between two and five years of age.

    Loratidine is available under various brand names such as Alaspan, Lormeg, Claridin, etc. It is available as a tablet and as an oral solution. Your doctor will prescribe loratadine in the appropriate dose and dosage form based on your age and clinical condition.

    Loratidine is not known to raise blood pressure or have adverse effects on the heart. Hence it is safe to take this medication if you have a history of heart problems or have high blood pressure. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking loratadine.

    You must take loratadine as advised by your doctor. Do not use it for more days than recommended. If your symptoms are not reduced, talk to your doctor so they can advise you whether to continue the medicine at the same dose or change it.

    Avoid taking loratadine if you are allergic to it. If you have been taking other antihistamines, inform your doctor before taking this medicine as it may lead to symptoms of overdose. This medicine is not recommended for children under two years of age.

    You can take it at any time of the day, morning or night. You can have it with or without food. Food or time do not affect the efficacy of this medicine.

    In patients with asthma, postnasal drip (extra mucus that drains into the back of the throat and causes cough and throat irritation), and allergic rhinitis (cold-like allergic symptoms caused by dust or pollen), H1 antihistamines such as loratadine have been shown to have an antitussive effect (suppresses cough) and help lower the frequency of coughs.

    Newer antihistamines, such as loratadine, have been proven to get rid of post-nasal drip and runny nose. However, it is not effective in clearing the mucus from the nasal passages caused by bacterial or viral infections. Consult our medical experts to know more or get a free second opinion