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Description
Claritin is the brand name of loratadine, a non-sedating antihistamine made and marketed by Schering Canada Inc. Claritin is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as watery, itchy, re
d eyes; sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat. As an antihistamine, Claritin works by blocking the action of histamine, a naturally occurring chemical that is responsible for allergy symptoms. CLARITIN?
won't cause drowsiness, unlike some other over-the-counter antihistamines."
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Side Effects of This Medicine
Although side effects from Claritin are not common, they can occur. You may have discolored urine; this effect is harmless. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- dry mouth, nose, and throat
- drowsiness
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- rapid heartbeat
- diffic
ulty urinating
- vision problems
- dizziness
- muscle weakness
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How should you take this medication?
When taken at the recommended dose, once a day CLARITIN does not cause drowsiness which is common with all over-the-counter and some prescription antihistamines. (Drowsiness rates vary among products.
) All antihistamines that cause drowsiness must caution users about operating motor vehicles or heavy machinery. CLARITIN, on the other hand, is not required to carry such warnings.
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Symptoms of overdose
Clumsiness or unsteadiness; convulsions (seizures); drowsiness (severe); dryness of mouth, nose, or throat (severe); feeling faint; flushing or redness of face; hallucinations (seeing, hearing,
or feeling things that are not there); shortness of breath or troubled breathing ; trouble in sleeping
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Other medical problems
It is especially important that your health care professional knows if you are taking any of the following:
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], isoca
rboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate])¡XIf you are now taking, or have taken within the past
weeks, any of the MAO inhibitors, the side effects of the Claritin, such as drowsiness and dryness of mouth, may become more severe; these medicines should not be used together
- Erythromycin (e
.g., E-Mycin) or
Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral)¡XUse of these medicines with fexofenadine may cause an increased amount of fexofenadine in the blood.
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Precautions while Using this Medicine
Claritin may cause dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat. Some Claritin are more likely to cause dryness of the mouth than others . For temporary relief of mouth dryness, use sugarless candy or gum,
melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mou
th may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.
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