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| Pronunciation |
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 (lor
AT a
deen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Claritin®; Claritin®
RediTabs® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Clarityne® (Mexico); Lertamine (Mexico);
Lowadina (Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antihistamine |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to loratadine or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine relieves symptoms (runny nose; sneezing; throat
irritation and itching; watery, irritated, itchy, red eyes) from allergies. It
may be used in adults and children 2 years of age and older.
- It is used to treat chronic idiopathic urticaria. This is a reaction
that causes bumps on the skin. There is severe itching
also.
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| How does it work? |
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- Loratadine, if taken before coming in contact with the material that
causes the allergy, blocks the allergic reaction. It minimizes or prevents the
body's reaction to the allergen.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- Take at a similar time every day.
- A liquid (syrup) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who
have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and
after medicine is given.
- The rapidly disintegrating tablet is placed on the tongue, where it
dissolves within a few seconds.
- All forms are most effective if taken before contact with the
allergen.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- There should be 24 hours between
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Use caution in liver disease or kidney disease. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Increased activity or inability to sleep may be seen in children.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other
tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine
affects you.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Children may feel nervous, tired, or washed
out.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check effectiveness of medicine in preventing
allergies.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
- The rapidly disintegrating tablets should be stored away from
moisture. After foil pouch is opened use within 6 months. After a tablet is
opened use now.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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