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Why is this drug prescribed?
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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Possible Side Effect
Check with your doctor immediately if the following side effect occurs:
- Fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; abdominal or stomach pain; burning; chills; clay-colored stools or dark urin
e; cough; diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; dizziness; fast heartbeat; fever; headache; hives; itching; prickly sensations; puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lip
s or tongue ; redness of skin; seizures ; shortness of breath; skin rash; swelling; tightness in chest; tingling; unusual tiredness or weakness; wheezing
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Special warnings about this medication
Before taking Claritin,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Claritin or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medi
cations you are taking, especially erythromycin (E-Mycin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), medications for asthma or colds, medications for depression, muscle relaxants, pain medications, sedatives, sleeping
pills, tranquilizers, and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-fe
eding.
- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
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What special precautions should I follow?
It is especially important that your health care professional knows if you are taking any of the following:
- Anticholinergics (medicine for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps)¡XSide effe
ts, such as dryness of mouth, of Claritin or anticholinergics may be more likely to occur
- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness)¡XEffects, such as drowsiness
of CNS depressants or Claritin may be worsened; also, taking maprotiline or tricyclic antidepressants may cause some side effects of either of these medicines, such as dryness of mouth, to become mor
e severe
- Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral)¡XUse of these medicines with fexofenadine may cause an increased amount of fexofenadine in the blood.
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Proper Use of This Medicine
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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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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