Medical, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals And Diseases Information

Loratadine – brand name Claritin is a drug used in the treatment of allergies. It belongs to antihistamine gropy of drugs and is known for it’s non-sedating properties. This molecule was developed and patented by Schering-Plough Corporationin the year 2001. It was originally proposed to be an OTC – Iover The counter drug but was changed into a prescription medicine. Loratadine  is available under brand names like  Claritin, Claritin-D, Claritine, Clarityn, Clarityne or Fristamin.

Loratadine – Claritin is a (H 1) receptor antagonist and  penetrates very poorly into the central nervous system. Hence  it does not have CNC depression properties. Structurally it is related to azatadine. Loratadine effectively suppresses mast cell mediator release.

Loratadine – Claritin is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, acute coryza and  allergic dermatological disorders. The typical dosage is 10 mg once daily for adulys. In case of those in  6-12 year age group the dosage is  5 mg once a day. Loratadine is not recommended in children under 2 yrs. This drug should not be used during lactation as it passes into breast milk.

While Loratadine is devoid of major side effects, The Most common side-effects are Drowsiness, headache, psychomotor impairment, dry mouth, blurred vision, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Many cases of high blood pressure was reported on usage of Loratadine – claritin.

Other rarer side-effects of Loratadine are Hypotension, extrapyramidal effects, dizziness, confusion, depression, sleep disturbances, tremor, convulsions, palpitation, arrhythmias, hypersensitivity reactions, blood disorders, liver dysfunction, and angle-closure glaucoma.