What Is Loratadine?

Loratadine is an over-the-counter drug for the treatment of allergies. It treats such symptoms as a runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and itching in the nose and throat. Loratadine is more commonly known under the brand name Claritin. Claritin was available only as a prescription drug until 2002, when the U.S. Federal Drug Administration made it available without a prescription. This move made Claritin more accessible to people without insurance.

How It Works

• Loratadine is an antihistamine that works by blocking histamine, which is released in the body when it is exposed to allergens. The medicine can be used to treat outdoor allergies, such as pollen and ragweed, and indoor allergies, including dust and mold.

Uses

• In addition to treating bothersome allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes and a runny nose, loratadine can be used to treat hives caused by allergic reactions. However, loratadine will not prevent an allergic reaction.

Side Effects

• Almost all people taking loratadine will experience no side effects of the medication. In rare cases, people may have an allergic reaction to the drug, which requires emergency medical treatment. Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following: swelling and itching, especially in the mouth or throat, a rash or hives and difficulty breathing.

Warnings

• Loratadine does pass into breast milk, although it is unlikely to cause the baby any harm. However, always talk with your doctor before using loratadine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, if using loratadine to treat hives caused by an allergic reaction, tell your doctor if you experience any of the following because they may be a sign of a serious complication: hives that do not itch or are an unusual color or hives that appear to be bruised or are bleeding.

Interactions

• Do not take Loratadine with any other cold or cough medications before first checking to make sure that they do not contain antihistamines. Additionally, taking loratadine and amiodarone together can increase the chances of experiencing an irregular heartbeat, as a side effect of amiodarone, are greater.