Loratadine is one of the most commonly prescribed anti-allergic drugs. It is recognized by the international community and is included in the list of vital medical supplies. Due to the unquenchable interest in this drug, we will consider the instructions for the use of loratadine tablets, and also draw some conclusions at the end of the article.

The composition of the drug

When studying the composition of a drug, you need to pay attention to the content of milk sugar, starch and stearic calcium salt in it. These minor components have no effect on the body, they only increase the weight of the tablet, and also increase the digestibility of the main active substance - loratadine. From the instructions it follows that in one medicinal unit contains 10 mg of the active component.

Most companies pack this drug in cardboard boxes. In one such box, you can find up to three polymer blisters with small rounded white tablets.

Manufacturers claim that the anti-allergy product will last for three years from the date of its release. After the specified period, it is not recommended to use it.

Pharmacological action, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The drug relieves allergy symptoms that exist at the time of taking the medicine, and also prevents the further development of an allergic reaction. The tool turns off the mast cell receptors, excluding those same cells from a further chain of events.

Histamine and leukotriene, which are the main catalysts for inflammation, remain locked inside the mast. In the absence of inflammatory mediators, smooth muscle relaxes. The tone of the capillaries is restored, the permeability of their walls decreases. Exudate ceases to accumulate at the site of inflammation. Thus, the swelling gradually resolves, and the redness and itching subside.

Under the influence of loratadine, the state of mucous membranes and smooth muscles is restored, which were disturbed by histamine during an allergic and pseudo-allergic reaction.

The action of the active compound does not affect the activity of the cardiac system and brain. The effect of taking the medicine develops during the first three hours.

The compound quickly enters the bloodstream. It is decomposed by hepatic enzymes and converted into another active form. The main effect ends in 8-12 hours. However, even within a day, loratadine metabolites circulate in the blood.

The effect of taking medication tends to accumulate. So already on the fifth day there is a more active compound of the substance with blood proteins. The effect of the drug becomes more noticeable.

All active forms of a chemical compound are excreted in the urine and feces. In patients with various kinds of damage to the liver, kidneys or gall bladder, the rate of utilization of loratadine is reduced. The elimination period can be extended up to two times. In old age, due to the extinction of all life processes, the metabolism and subsequent utilization of the substance also slows down.

Why prescribe loratadine tablets for adults and children

Loratadine helps relieve allergic and pseudo-allergic edema.

Reduces the severity of smooth muscle spasms caused by free circulation of histamine in the blood. Prevents the further development of an allergic reaction. Relieves already arisen symptoms.

Relieves lacrimation, redness of the conjunctiva of the eyes and skin. It relieves itching in various forms of allergies and dermatitis. Removes nasal congestion in hay fever. It is used for allergic forms of rhinoconjunctivitis. It is a means of combating angioedema. Relieves pain, itching and burning in places of insect bites.

Instructions for use of the drug

Since food interferes with the absorption of the drug and prolongs the period of its absorption, the medicine should be consumed half an hour before meals.

An adult daily dose of the drug is 10 mg, which is equal to one whole tablet. This dose is taken at a time. The next tablet is swallowed after 24 hours.

Loratadine for children with a body weight of more than 30 kg is shown in the same dosages as for adults. Kids over three years old can be given half a tablet per day. A similar scheme is followed until the child reaches a mass of 30 kg or twelve years.

The duration of treatment is set individually. The shortest course can be just one day. The maximum treatment period should not exceed one month. On average, tablets are drunk until symptoms persist or within 1–2 weeks.

During pregnancy and lactation

Drug trials involving pregnant and lactating women have not been conducted. There is only fragmentary information that a chemical compound and its metabolites can be secreted with the secret of the mammary glands.

Animal experiments did not reveal the toxic effect of the chemical compound on the fetus and the fed offspring. However, for people, the instruction contains a direct ban on the use of the drug during pregnancy and lactation.

Drug interaction

Ketoconazole, cimetidine and erythromycin are known to weaken the effect of the drug in question. How they do this is not fully revealed. It is assumed that these substances block liver enzymes, due to which loratadine is converted into active metabolites.

Thus, ketoconazole, cimetidine and erythromycin interfere with the course of events and interfere with the normal conversion of loratadine. As a result, loratadine accumulates in the blood and is not consumed, and its effect appears after a longer period of time.

A similar effect is observed when the drug interacts with the following compounds:

  • rifampicin;
  • phenytoin;
  • zixorin;
  • phenylbutazone;
  • bourbiturates;
  • tricyclic antidepressants.

All of these substances reduce the effectiveness of loratadine, so their joint administration is contraindicated.

Influence on the ability to drive vehicles and control mechanisms

Despite the fact that the medicine does not penetrate the brain, it can cause side effects in the form of worsening well-being, slowing down the reaction, and weakening attention. In order to avoid injuries, during treatment with the drug, it is recommended to abandon potentially hazardous activities, do not drive and do not work with moving mechanisms.

Compatibility Loratadine tablets with alcohol

Ethanol is able to enhance the manifestation of adverse reactions and reduce the effectiveness of therapy. Despite the fact that the instruction does not contain a direct ban on the use of alcohol-containing drinks, they should be discarded during treatment.

Contraindications, side effects and overdose

In addition to individual intolerance, pregnancy, lactation and childhood (up to 3 years), the medicine has no other contraindications. Doubts arise only about patients with liver failure. The verdict on the need for such treatment in their case is made by the doctor.

Complaints about the drug are extremely rare, in no more than 2% of cases.

When testing drugs in the control group of people not receiving any treatment, similar symptoms appeared with approximately the same frequency.

Adults and children react differently to treatment. In the older group, gastric disorders, skin rashes, headaches, dizziness, loss of strength, and feeling of drying out in the mouth are more common. Isolated cases of baldness, tachycardia, and anaphylaxis were recorded. Rarely, during treatment, pathological changes occur in the liver.

In children, side effects are usually expressed as headache, nervousness and fatigue.

Against the background of exceeding the recommended doses, tachycardia, excessive drowsiness, and headache appear in all groups of patients. In case of drug poisoning, vomiting is necessary. Rinse the stomach with the remnants of the medicine. Give the victim a sorbent.

Allergy Tablet Analogs

On the basis of the active substance loratadine, many drugs of the same name are produced, among which:

  • "Loratadin Teva";
  • “Loratadin Akrikhin”;
  • "Loratadin Stada."

The starting price for packing one of these products is 60 rubles. Firms Biosynthesis, Synthesis, Tatkhimpharmpreparaty, Verteks, Ozone produce even cheaper pills for allergies. A unit of production from these manufacturers costs from 11 to 30 rubles.

Similar drugs are distributed under other names.

In the pharmacy network, loratadine can be found under such names as:

  • Claridol
  • Clarisens
  • Claritin
  • Clarotadine
  • Lomilan
  • Lorahexal;
  • “Loratavel”;
  • "Clallergin."

The active ingredient in all of these drugs is loratadine. In these tablets, it is contained in a dosage of 5 to 10 mg. The regimen for all medications is the same.

A similar effect has the antihistamine compound desloratadine and drugs based on it:

  • "Blogir-3";
  • "Desal";
  • Lordestine
  • "Erius."

Desloratadine is an active derivative of loratadine.However, this histamine receptor blocker belongs to the next generation (III). It does not affect calcium metabolism, so it practically does not affect the work of the heart muscle.

It is prescribed in a dose lower than loratadine. For adults and children over 12 years of age, 5 mg is enough. In the form of a syrup, desloratadine-based medicines can be given to children from six months old. In each case, the dose is calculated based on the weight of the child.

Loratadine can be characterized as a rather effective and low-hazard agent. The side effects listed in his instructions are almost never found. The drug has a slight effect on the central nervous system, so you can not be afraid of well-being during treatment.

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