Generic Claritin i.e. Loratadine is a long-acting antihistamine. Histamine is a chemical that causes many of the signs that are part of allergic reactions for example swelling of tissues. Histamine is released from histamine-storing cells mast cells and attaches to other cells that have receptors for histamine. The attachment of the histamine to the receptors causes the cell to be activated releasing other chemicals which produce the effects that we associate with allergy.

Moreover, Loratadine blocks one type of receptor for histamine the H1 receptor and thus prevents activation of cells by histamine. Unlike most other antihistamines Loratadine does not enter the brain from the blood and therefore does not cause drowsiness.

However, before taking Loratadine i.e. Claritin medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Claritin medication. However, Claritin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Claritin i.e. Loratadine medication and also read the prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Generic Claritin i.e. Loratadine is generally prescribed once daily. Patients with liver diseases or with reduced kidney function need lower doses than patients with normal liver and kidney function. The usual dose of loratadine is 10 mg daily for adults and children older than six.

If you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician for the dosage.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

In studies in which loratadine was compared to a placebo an inactive tablet which was made to look like loratadine the rates of side effects with loratadine was no greater than that of the placebo. The most common complaints were headache tiredness and dry mouth/nose/throat, vision problems, unusual nervousness or restless in children, rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, muscle weakness etc.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form, as they may affect the way your medicine works.

If you are allergic to any medication or are taking any other medication of any nature while taking this medication please inform your health care professional. However, it may interact with: Painkillers, Anti Depressants, Erythromycin, Cold Medication, Ketoconazole, Asthama Medication, Muscle Relaxants, Sleeping Pills, Sedatives/Tranquilizers etc.

Moreover, Claritin i.e. Loratadine may also interact with some kind of foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines, some vaccinations etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Claritin medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately. Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them. Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own. In short discuss your complete medical history with your doctor, before taking the medicine.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And if you are going to have a surgery, tell your health care professional that you are using Claritin medication.

Inform your doctor if your skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight. Moreover, this medication may affect your blood glucose levels, if you are going for such a test, inform your doctor that you are taking this medication.

Also avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages whilst on a course with this medication.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

Generic Claritin i.e. Loratadine medication is used for the relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of various allergic conditions such as seasonal allergic rhinitis. It is also used to treat patients with chronic urticaria a type of allergic skin rash.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The generic Claritin i.e. Loratadine medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Claritin i.e. Loratadine medication.

Store generic Claritin i.e. Loratadine, at room temperature below 2-30°C 36-86°F. Keep the medicine in the container, it came in and always keep it tightly closed. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Claritin in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Claritin i.e. Loratadine:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, lung disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure, asthma, heart attack, irregular/slow heartbeat or any other severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or are a tobacco smoker etc.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Claritin medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Claritin i.e. Loratadine medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Claritin medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Claritin medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Also, avoid smoking and consuming alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course to achieve good results.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Claritin.