Description
Simple
A medication used to manage allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes and runny nose.
Clinical
A second generation antihistamine used to manage the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Overview
Loratadine is a second generation antihistamine used to manage symptoms of allergic rhinitis.[5] A lack of sedative and CNS adverse effects make loratadine, along with other second generation antihistamines, preferable over their 1st generation counterparts in many clinical situations.[7]
Pharmacology
Indication
Loratadine is a 2nd generation antihistamine and is used to manage symptoms of allergic rhinitis, wheal formation, urticaria, and other allergic dermatologic conditions.[ Read more
Pharmacodynamic
Like other 2nd generation antihistamines, loratadine is selective for peripheral H1 receptors.[ Read more
Mechanism of action
Histamine release is a key mediator in allergic rhinitis and urticaria.[12][ Read more
Absorption
Loratadine is rapidly absorbed and achieves peak plasma concentration in 1-2 hours, while it's main metabolite achieves peak plasma concentration in 3-4 hours.[ Read more
Protein binding
97 - 99% of the loratadine is bound to plasma proteins.[17]
Volume of distribution
The volume of distribution of loratadine is 120 L/Kg.[18]
Clearance
The clearance of loratadine after single oral doses of 20 mg and 40 mg are 12 L/h/kg and 9 L/h/kg respectively.[ Read more
Half life
The elimination half life is approximately 10 hours for loratadine and 20 hours for descarboethoxyloratadine.[6]
Route of elimination
Over a 10 day period, 40% of loratadine is excreted in the urine, and 42% is eliminated in the faeces.[17]
Toxicity
Second generation antihistamines such as loratadine have very few adverse effects; however, insomnia, headache, fatigue, drowsiness and rash have been reported.[ Read more
Adverse Effects
Effect | Regions | Age Groups | Incidences | Evidence Type |
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Sedation | Canada |
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Sedation | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Headache | Canada |
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Clinical Trial |
Fatigue | Canada |
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Clinical Trial |
Headache | US |
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|
Clinical Trial |
Headache | Canada |
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|
Clinical Trial |
Fatigue | US |
|
|
Clinical Trial |
Wheezing | US |
|
|
Clinical Trial |
Nausea | US |
|
|
Clinical Trial |
Dyspepsia | US |
|
|
Clinical Trial |
Vomiting | US |
|
|
Clinical Trial |
Nervousness | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Nervousness | US |
|
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Clinical Trial |
Fatigue | Canada |
|
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Clinical Trial |
Somnolence | Canada |
|
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Clinical Trial |
Dry Mouth | Canada |
|
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Clinical Trial |
Rash | US |
|
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Clinical Trial |
Earache | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Pharyngitis | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Influenza-like symptoms | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Diarrhea | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Tooth disorder | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Epistaxis | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Fatigue | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Viral Infection | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Stomatitis | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Hyperkinesia | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Hyperkinesia | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Diarrhea | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Dysphonia | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Malaise | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Conjunctivitis | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Abdominal Pain | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Dry Mouth | Canada |
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Clinical Trial |
Abdominal Pain | US |
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Clinical Trial |
Coughing | Canada |
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Clinical Trial |
Dizziness | Canada |
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Clinical Trial |
Appetite increased | Canada |
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Clinical Trial |
Palpitations | Canada |
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Clinical Trial |
Dryness of nose | Canada |
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Clinical Trial |
Dry Eyes | US |
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Clinical Trial | |
Dizziness | Canada |
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Anaphylaxis | Canada |
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Convulsions | Canada |
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Seizures | Canada |
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Tachycardia | Canada |
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Palpitations | Canada |
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Abnormal hepatic function | Canada |
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Alopecia | Canada |
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Contraindications
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