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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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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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Special warnings about this medication
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Enlarged prostate or
- Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination¡XClaritin may make urinary problems
orse
- Glaucoma¡XThese medicines may cause a slight increase in inner eye pressure that may make the condition worse
- Intestinal obstruction or
- Stomach ulcer¡XUse of cyproheptadine
make these conditions worse.
- Liver disease or
- Kidney disease¡XEffects of desloratadine may be increased because of slower removal from the body.
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How should this medicine be used?
Claritin comes as a syrup, a tablet, and a rapidly disintegrating tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label careful
ly, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Claritin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
To take the rapidly disintegrating tablet, place the tablet on your tongue. It will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with saliva.
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Other medical problems
Hydroxyzine is not recommended for use in the first months of pregnancy since it has been shown to cause birth defects in animal studies when given in doses many times higher than the usual human dose
. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.
Desloratadine and fexofenadine have not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that these medicines cause b
irth defects or other problems when given in doses higher than the usual human dose.
Azatadine, brompheniramine, cetirizine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dexchlorpheniramine
, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, and loratadine have not been studied in pregnant women.
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What side effects may occur?
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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