Loratadine (Claritin, Claritin Reditabs)

Category:

  • Antihistamine

Description:

  • Antihistamine

Indications:

  • Seasonal rhinitis

  • Idiopathic chronic urticaria

  • Seasonal allergic rhinitis with asthma

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category B; excreted in breast milk at levels equivalent to serum levels

  • Increased intraocular pressure

  • Hepatic disease

  • Renal insufficiency

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: insomnia, sedation

  • GI: dry mouth

Dosage:

Administered orally

  • Adult:   PO 10mg once daily; give every other day in hepatic impairment or renal insufficiency (CrCl <30 ml/min)

Special considerations:

  • Effective, but expensive nonsedating antihistamine; reserve for patients unable to tolerate sedating antihistamines like diphenhydramine

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300   

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
Volumes 1-6
2004 Edition
 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright 2004
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