Loratadine dosage, forms, and strengths

Loratadine (Claritin) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that relieves symptoms of seasonal or non-seasonal (perennial) allergies, including allergic rhinitis. Commonly treated symptoms include runny nose, chest congestion, coughing or wheezing, fatigue, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching of the nose or throat. Head congestion, another common symptom of allergic rhinitis, can be treated with products containing loratadine and a decongestant such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine (for example, Claritin-D). Other brand names of loratadine include Wal-itin, Alavert, and Dimetapp Children’s Non-Drowsy Allergy. Loratadine used to be a prescription drug but it was authorized to be sold over the counter by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. Loratadine products containing pseudoephedrine are also available without a prescription but must be stocked behind the pharmacy counter and purchased at the pharmacy register.

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Loratadine forms and strengths

Loratadine is taken by mouth as a tablet or a liquid (solution). Tablets come in chewable and orally disintegrating forms. Orally disintegrating tablets are placed on the tongue and dissolve rapidly. Tablets come in once daily (24-hour) or twice daily (12-hour) formulations.

• Tablets: 10 mg

• Chewable tablets: 5 mg

• Orally disintegrating tablets: 5 mg, 10 mg

• Liquid: 1 mg/ mL

Loratadine dosage for adults

Loratadine is approved for use in adults to control allergy symptoms and urticaria. Standard dosages are the same for both conditions: 10 mg once per day.

*Off-label use—not approved by FDA

Loratadine dosage for allergy symptoms

Allergies can be seasonal and triggered by airborne allergens like grass, tree, or weed pollen during certain months of the year. Seasonal allergies are often referred to as hay fever. Perennial allergies are unrelated to the season and may last all year round. Other airborne allergens that can trigger allergic rhinitis include dust mites, mold spores, animal dander, and certain insects. Whether allergic rhinitis is the result of seasonal or perennial allergies, symptoms can be treated with 5 to 10 mg of loratadine as needed, not exceeding 10 mg in a 24-hour period. This can be taken as a single dose of the 10 mg (24-hour) tablets or liquid, or two doses of a 5 mg (12-hour) formulation (for example, Claritin RediTabs 5 mg orally disintegrating tablets or Claritin Children’s Chewable’s 5 mg tablets), once in the morning and once in the evening.

Loratadine dosage for hives

Urticaria, also known as hives, are itchy red bumps on the skin that often appear during an allergic reaction to a food or drug. In a small percentage of people, however, hives reappear frequently over a long period of time, without a known cause. This recurring form of urticaria is called chronic idiopathic urticaria. It can be treated with an antihistamine such as loratadine, using the same daily dose used to treat allergic rhinitis–10 mg daily for adults.

Loratadine dosage for exercise-induced asthma

The American Thoracic Society suggests that patients with exercise-induced asthma who continue to have symptoms (despite using an albuterol or levalbuterol inhaler prior to exercise) may benefit from taking an antihistamine such as loratadine. The rationale behind this recommendation is that since control of allergies improves asthma control in general, it may also help control asthma symptoms induced by exercise. Patients should take the standard allergic rhinitis dose of loratadine (10 mg once daily) at least 60 to 90 minutes before exercise. Loratadine should not be used for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in asthma patients who do not have allergies. Antihistamines such as loratadine should never be used for an asthma attack as they are not effective for acute asthma symptoms.

Loratadine dosage for children

Loratadine is approved for pediatric use in children 2 years of age and older. While not FDA-approved for children younger than 2 years, the liquid formulation is sometimes prescribed by a doctor for younger children. An alternative option for children younger than 2 years is desloratadine (Clarinex), the isomer or loratadine, which is FDA-approved in children 6 months and older. Loratadine oral solution and the 5 mg orally disintegrating tablets (RediTabs) and chewable tablets are FDA-approved for ages 2 years and older. Regular 10 mg tablets are FDA-approved for children 6 years and older.

*Off-label use—not approved by FDA. Efficacy was demonstrated in studies of patients with allergies aged 7 to 17 years old.

Loratadine dosage restrictions

In patients with moderate to severe renal dysfunction (kidney disease), including patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, loratadine should be dosed less frequently. Patients with a creatinine clearance (a measure of kidney function) less than 30 mL/ minute should take loratadine no more often than once every 48 hours (once every other day).

Patients with severe liver disease (liver failure) should not take loratadine more frequently than every 48 hours (once every other day) when starting loratadine for the first time.

Contraindications of loratadine include patients with a history of a severe allergic reaction to loratadine, desloratadine (Clarinex), or any of the ingredients in a loratadine or desloratadine (Clarinex) product. Desloratadine is an antihistamine with a similar structure to loratadine, and there is potential for cross-sensitivity between the two drugs. An example of a severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, which is characterized by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, skin rash, and/or swelling of the face, tongue, throat.

Loratadine dosage for pets

Loratadine may be prescribed for pets for inflammatory and allergic conditions such as vaccine reactions, bee stings, insect bites, and itchy skin. It is generally more effective in cats than dogs but can be used in both. It can be given once or twice daily. A recommended dosing in dogs is 0.12 to 0.22 mg per pound. It should be noted that the syrup form of loratadine (Claritin) contains propylene glycol and therefore should not be used in cats. Propylene glycol has been shown to cause abnormalities in the red blood cells of cats, and the FDA prohibits its use in cat food.

How to take loratadine

• Loratadine is taken as a tablet or liquid by mouth, it can be taken with or without food

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

• Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Open the package and peel back the foil. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet. Use dry hands to remove the tablet. After you remove a rapidly disintegrating tablet (Reditab®) from the package, use it right away by putting the tablet on your tongue. The tablet will break up and dissolve quickly. You may take the tablet with or without water.

• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

• Store between 68 to 77 degrees F. Protect from moisture and freezing.

• Always check the expiration date on product packaging. If the medicine has passed its expiration date, dispose of it safely and purchase a new package.

• While loratadine is less sedating than first-generation antihistamines such as

  diphenhydramine (Benadryl), it may still cause a small degree of drowsiness. Do not operate machinery or drive if you feel tired or unfocused.

Loratadine dosage FAQs

How long does it take loratadine to work?

Loratadine begins to have its effect within 60 minutes. The peak effect is generally between eight and 12 hours after the dose is taken. While food has been shown to slightly increase the absorption of loratadine, it has not been shown to affect the time it takes for patients to experience the effects of the medication, or to increase its effects.

How long does loratadine stay in your system?

Loratadine continues to have an effect for at least 24 hours, regardless of whether a 24-hour or 12-hour product is used. The 24-hour vs. 12-hour products are distinguished by the number of doses that generally may be taken (i.e. 5 mg tablets can be taken every 12 hours by adults and children older than 6, but 10 mg tablets should only be taken once per 24 hours).

Healthcare providers measure the time it takes to eliminate a drug from the body using a metric called a half-life. This is the time it takes the body to get rid of half the amount of drug currently in your system. The half-life of loratadine is roughly eight hours, and it takes five half-lives to eliminate loratadine. So, while the levels of loratadine may not be high enough to have noticeable effects, loratadine can remain in your system longer than 42 hours after a dose. Loratadine is eliminated by the liver and kidneys, so dysfunction in either organ can prolong the time that loratadine stays in the body.

What happens if I miss a dose of loratadine?

Because loratadine is used to control hives and allergy symptoms, there is no danger in missing a dose. Simply take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. This means that adults taking 5 mg every 12 hours should skip the forgotten dose if it is three hours or less until the next dose is due. Do not take more than the daily recommended dose for children or adults to make up for a missed dose.

How long can you take loratadine?

There is no limit to how long adults can take daily loratadine. Many patients have year-round allergies and take loratadine indefinitely. Because the long-term safety of loratadine has not been studied in children between the ages of 2 and 12, the manufacturer label states that it is not recommended to give loratadine to children younger than 12 for longer than 14 days, unless recommended by a physician.

How do I stop taking loratadine?

It is safe to use loratadine regularly for allergy symptoms and hives (urticaria). There are no withdrawal symptoms after stopping loratadine, so it is safe to discontinue use at any time if no longer needed. Many patients experience a decrease in effectiveness after taking a particular antihistamine for a prolonged period. This may be caused by a change in the allergen profile of the environment or a change in the patient’s reactiveness to allergens over time. While there is no data supporting the development of tolerance to an antihistamine, some patients report their symptoms are improved after switching to a different antihistamine (i.e. Zyrtec (cetirizine), Allegra (fexofenadine), or Xyzal (levocetirizine) or taking a brief sabbatical from their OTC allergy medication.

What is the maximum dosage for loratadine?

The maximum dose of loratadine products is 10 mg per 24 hours in adults (including seniors) and children older than 6 years. This can be given as a single 10 mg dose or divided into two 5 mg doses separated twelve hours apart. The max dose in children aged 2 to 5 years is 5 mg per 24 hours.

Can you overdose on loratadine?

Never take more than the recommended dose provided on the package label of an OTC medicine. Taking extreme amounts of an antihistamine can cause life-threatening side effects including hallucinations, heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death. More mild overdose symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, difficulty urinating, and fast heart rate. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What interacts with loratadine?

Claritin-D, Wal-itin D, and Allergy Relief-D are loratadine products that also contain a stimulant called pseudoephedrine. Taking stimulants such as pseudoephedrine while with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), a family of drugs that includes certain types of antidepressants, antibiotics, and Parkinson’s medications, can cause a life-threatening rise in blood pressure. Do not take Claritin-D, Wal-itin D, and Allergy Relief-D (or any loratadine product containing phenylephrine or other decongestants) with an MAOI or within 14 days of discontinuing an MAOI. Examples of MAOIs include Marplan (isocarboxazid), Nardil (phenelzine), Emsam (selegiline), Parnate (tranylcypromine), Azilect (rasagiline), and Zyvox (linezolid).

While loratadine is considered “non-sedating” due to its lower levels of sedation compared to first-generation antihistamines, it may still cause dose-related drowsiness. Use loratadine cautiously and monitor for drowsiness if taking with other medications that depress the central nervous system or otherwise cause drowsiness. These include, but are not limited to, other products containing antihistamines, antidepressants, pain medications, beta blockers, muscle relaxants, and benzodiazepines.

This is not a comprehensive list of all drugs that could interact with loratadine. For medical advice about drug interactions, it is best to consult a doctor or pharmacist and provide a full list of current medications.

Is it safe to take loratadine during pregnancy?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists loratadine as having category B risk for use in pregnancy. This means that loratadine may be used during pregnancy as the risk of fetal harm is not expected based on limited studies. Caution is still advised when using loratadine during lactation, due to fewer studies on the risk of infant harm during breastfeeding. There is a theoretical risk of decreased breast milk production due to lower prolactin levels. It is always best to limit the use of over-the-counter medication during pregnancy, either by using a small dose or limiting the duration of use to the shortest duration necessary.

RELATED: Taking allergy medicine while pregnant

Related resources for loratadine dosages:

• An official American Thoracic Society clinical practice guideline: exercise-induced bronchoconstriction,

• Claritin for dogs

• Loratadine dosing

• Drug summary

• Loratadine for pets

• Claritin product monograph