Loratadine belongs to the class of medications called second-generation antihistamines, specifically the class known as histamine receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of one of the body's natural chemicals known as histamine. Histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms caused by Allergies.

Loratadine is used for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal allergies, including sneezing, itchy and runny nose, and tearing and redness of the eyes. It is also used for the relief of symptoms associated with allergic skin conditions, including chronic Hives and other skin disorders. Loratadine is also used for the relief of symptoms associated with year-round allergies. Loratadine usually starts working within 2 hours and lasts for 24 hours.

Claritin may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Claritin may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Claritin may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Claritin for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Claritin, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Claritin without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Claritin to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Claritin if their doctor has not prescribed it.

Personalized PocketPacks

We sort your medication into clearly labeled, individual packs so you can be sure you're taking the right dose at the right time.

Tablets: For adults and children 12 years of age and older, the recommended dose of loratadine is 10 mg once daily. The regular tablets may be taken with or without food. The rapid-dissolving tablets should be taken on an empty stomach. Water or other liquids are not necessary with the rapid-dissolving tablets, as they will melt instantly on the tongue.

Capsules: For adults and children 12 years of age and older, the recommended dose of loratadine is 10 mg once daily with water.  

Syrup: A liquid form of loratadine is available for children 2 years of age and older, as well as adults who are unable to swallow tablets. The recommended dose of loratadine syrup for adults and children over 10 years of age (weighing more than 30 kg) is 10 mL (10 mg) once daily. The recommended dose for children 2 to 9 years of age (weighing 30 kg or less) is 5 mL (5 mg) once daily.

Children between 2 and 12 years of age should not take loratadine for longer than 14 days unless recommended by a doctor. Adults and children over 12 years of age can take loratadine for up to 6 months.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Claritin exactly as suggested by your doctor or pharmacist. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Claritin at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Claritin. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Claritin with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Claritin. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• cough
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• fatigue
• headache
• heartburn
• increased appetite
• nausea
• nervousness or restlessness (especially in children)

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• hair loss
• pounding, fast, or irregular heartbeat
• seizures
• signs of liver problems (e.g., dark urine, Diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, pale stools, skin itching, vomiting, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
• stomach pain
• symptoms of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) such as difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of the face and throat

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Claritin.

Automatic Refills

We manage your refills and get in touch with your doctors for prescription renewals so that you always have the medication you need.

Regular tablets (10 mg)
Each white, oval, shallow, deep-scored tablet, with the flash and dish logo above the score and the number 10 below, contains loratadine 10 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, lactose, and magnesium stearate.

Rapid Dissolve Tablets

5 mg
Each white, round, tablet-shaped unit with a debossed "C5" contains micronized loratadine 5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: citric acid, gelatin, mannitol, and mint flavour.

10 mg
Each white, round, tablet-shaped unit with a debossed "C10" contains micronized loratadine 10 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: citric acid, gelatin, mannitol, and mint flavour.

Liquid Capsules (10 mg)
Each oval, transparent, blue gelatin capsule, etched with a "10" logo contains loratadine 10 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: triglycerides, mono- and di-glycerides, gelatin, sorbitol sorbitan solution, povidone, glycerin, polysorbate, purified water, and FD&C blue.

Claritin Kids Syrup – Grape Flavour
Each 1 mL of clear, colorless-to-light-yellow, grape-flavoured syrup contains loratadine 1 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: artificial grape flavour, edetate disodium, glycerin, maltitol, monobasic sodium phosphate monohydrate, phosphoric acid, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sorbitol, and sucralose.

Do not use Claritin if you are allergic to loratadine or to any of the ingredients of the medication.

Discreet Packaging

Your privacy is important. That's why we send your medication inside a plain delivery box so no one will know what's inside.

There may be an interaction between loratadine and any of the following:

• aclidinium
• alcohol
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine)
• antiarrythmics (e.g., Amiodarone, Disopyramide, Dronedarone, quinidine)
• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, loratadine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Apalutamide
• atropine
• azelastine
• "azole" antifungals (e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• Benztropine
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• belladonna
• Betahistine
• botulinum toxin
• brimonidine
• Buspirone
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• Clonidine
• Darifenacin
• Eluxadoline
• Entacapone
• Flavoxate
• Flibanserin
• Galantamine
• glycopyrrolate
• hyaluronidase
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Indapamide
• ipratropium
• Methadone
• Metoclopramide
• Metolazone
• Mirabegron
• Moclobemide
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• Nitroglycerin
• Oxybutynin
• potassium chloride
• Pramipexole
• quinine
• Rivastigmine
• Ropinirole
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Levetiracetam, phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• sodium oxybate
• Solifenacin
• thalidomide
• tiotropium
• tolcapone
• Tramadol
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Clomipramine, Desipramine, Imipramine)
• umeclidinium
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Claritin. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Claritin.

Drowsiness: Loratadine usually causes minimal drowsiness when used as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are taking higher-than-recommended doses of loratadine, you may experience drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you become drowsy while taking Claritin.

Liver problems: If you have reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how Claritin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Claritin, and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with severely reduced liver function should take a lower dose (5 mg once daily or 10 mg every other day) of Claritin.

Pregnancy: The safety of using Claritin during pregnancy has not been established. Women who are pregnant should not use Claritin. If you become pregnant while taking Claritin, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: The safety of loratadine has not been established for women who are breast-feeding. Women who are breast-feeding should not take loratadine.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Claritin have not been established for children younger than 2 years of age. For children between the ages of 2 and 12, do not give Claritin for longer than 14 days, unless recommended by a doctor.

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