Loratadine & Liver Function

Loratadine is an antihistamine drug used to treat hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and skin allergies, which does not cause drowsiness. It is commercialized under the names Claritin and Alavert, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. According to Double Check MD, loratadine can cause hepatic disorders, including hepatitis (infection or inflammation of the liver).

History

• Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine created during the 1980s. The drug's patent was issued to Schering-Plough Laboratories in August 1981, highlighting the advantages of a antihistamine without sedative effects. However, according to The New York Times Magazine, Schering-Plough had been researching for a non-sedating antihistamine formula since the 1960s.

Uses

• According to Web MD, loratadine relives itching caused by skin allergies, such as hives or urticaria, as well as runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing, typical symptoms of hay fever. Patients take loratadine through oral ingestion, in the form of tablets, capsules or syrup.

Side Effects

• Although rare, dizziness, trouble breathing, rash, itching and swelling (normally around the face, tongue or throat) are some of the side effects that can appear in patients using loratadine, according to Web MD.

Liver Failure and Loratadine

• According to a report published on the Annals of Internal Medicine website, three patients taking loratadine developed serious liver injuries during the treatment. The first one was also taking the drug ketoconazole (Nizoral), and subsequently needed a liver transplant. However, it was not clear if the liver disease was caused by loratadine or by the interaction between the two drugs. Although they did not need a transplant, two other similar cases of liver failure were reported in the same document. The authors then concluded that necroinflammatory liver disease can occur in patients treated with loratadine.

Warning

• Talking to a doctor before taking any medicine is always advisable, but in the case of loratadine, patients with history of liver or kidney diseases must not forget to take medical advice, as these organs may not tolerate well the drug, according to eMedTV. Loratadine can also interact negatively with other medications, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), erythromycin (Ery-Tab) and ketoconazole (Nizoral).