Claritin

Clar·i·tin (klâr-tn)

A trademark for the drug loratadine.

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loratadine

Alavert, Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, Clarityn (UK)

Pharmacologic class: Histamine₁-receptor antagonist (second-generation)

Therapeutic class: Antihistamine (nonsedating)

Pregnancy risk category B

Action

Selective histamine₁-receptor antagonist. Blocks peripheral effects of histamine release during allergic reactions, decreasing or preventing allergy symptoms.

Availability

Syrup: 1 mg/ml

Tablets: 10 mg

Tablets (rapidly disintegrating): 10 mg

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ Seasonal allergies; chronic idiopathic urticaria

Adults and children ages 6 and older: 10 mg P.O. daily

Children ages 2 to 5: 5 mg P.O. daily

Dosage adjustment

• Renal or hepatic impairment

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• renal or hepatic impairment
• elderly patients
• pregnant patients
• children younger than age 2 (safety not established).

Administration

• Give once a day on empty stomach.
• Place rapidly disintegrating tablet on tongue; give with or without water.
• Use rapidly disintegrating tablets within 6 months of opening foil pouch and immediately after opening individual tablet blister.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
P.O.	1-3 hr	8-12 hr	>24 hr

Adverse reactions

CNS: headache, nervousness, insomnia

EENT: conjunctivitis, earache, epistaxis, pharyngitis

GI: abdominal pain; dry mouth; diarrhea, stomatitis (in children)

Skin: rash, photosensitivity, angioedema

Other: tooth disorder (in children), fever, flulike symptoms, viral infections

Interactions

Drug-food. Any food: increased drug absorption

Patient monitoring

• Watch for adverse reactions, especially in children.
• Assess patient's response to drug.
• Watch for new symptoms or exacerbation of existing symptoms.

Patient teaching

• Advise patient to take exactly as prescribed, once a day on empty stomach.
• Tell patient to report persistent or worsening symptoms.
• Instruct patient to report adverse reactions, such as headache or nervousness.
• Caution patient to avoid driving and other hazardous activities until he knows how drug affects concentration and alertness.
• As appropriate, review all other significant adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the foods mentioned above.

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Claritin®

Allergy medicine A nonsedating sympathomimetic antihistamine containing loratidine and pseudoephedrine, used for seasonal allergies Contraindications MAOI therapy, narrow-angle glaucoma, urinary retention, HTN, CAD. Cf Antihistamine.