Loratadine (Clarityn)

Loratadine is suitable for most adults and children aged 2 years and over, but always check before taking it.

Loratadine is not suitable for some people. For example, check with your doctor if you have epilepsy or a condition that puts you at risk of seizures.

Loratadine comes as tablets or liquid that you take once a day. Follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

Common side effects of loratadine include feeling sleepy. Children may get headaches. More serious side effects can happen in rare cases.

It can cause problems to take loratadine with other medicines, such as medicines that cause drowsiness, a dry mouth or difficulty peeing.

Most adults and children aged 2 years and older can take loratadine.

Loratadine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have ever had an allergy to loratadine or any other medicines
• have severe liver failure
• have an allergy to food additives
• have epilepsy or another condition that puts you at risk of seizures or fits
• are due to have a test for allergies – taking loratadine may affect the results, so you might need to stop taking it a few days before the test

Loratadine comes in 10mg tablets and as a liquid medicine (labelled either 5mg/5ml or 1mg/1ml).

The usual dose in adults is 10mg, taken once a day.

Doses are usually lower for people with liver problems and may be taken every other day.

For children, your doctor will use your child's weight or age to work out the right dose. Children aged between 6 and 12 years can only take loratadine tablets if they weigh more than 30kg. Give children loratadine liquid instead of tablets if they are under 6 years or weigh 30kg or less.

How to take it

Swallow tablets with a drink of water, milk or juice. If the tablet has a line across the middle, you can break it in half if you find it hard to swallow it whole. Do not chew it.

Loratadine liquid may be easier for children to take than tablets. The liquid medicine will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

You can take all types of loratadine with or without food.

The most common side effect of loratadine is feeling sleepy. This happens in more than 1 in 100 people.

There are things you can do to help cope with these common side effects:

Try a different non-drowsy antihistamine. If this does not help, talk to your doctor. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery until you feel better, and fully alert and awake.

Side effects in children may include:

Make sure they rest and drink plenty of fluids. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if they do not go away or are severe.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects do not go away. They may be able to recommend a different antihistamine.

Keep taking loratadine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

You can take loratadine in pregnancy.

If you need to take an antihistamine and you're breastfeeding, loratadine is one of the best choices.

There is some information which shows that only very small amounts of loratadine get into breast milk. For many years it has been widely used while breastfeeding without causing any side effects in babies.

It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual
• seems unusually sleepy or irritable

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Carry on taking the medicine and keep breastfeeding as usual until you’ve got advice about your baby’s symptoms.

Some medicines affect how loratadine works or can increase the chances of you having side effects.

Tell your doctor if you're taking:

• amiodarone, a medicine used to treat an irregular heartbeat
• cimetidine, an indigestion medicine
• erythromycin, an antibiotic
• any medicine that makes you feel sleepy, gives you a dry mouth or makes it difficult for you to pee – taking loratadine might make these side effects worse

Taking it with painkillers

You can take loratadine together with painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.