Claritin-D prescription

This page contains drug information on Claritin-D.
The information provided includes the following:

what is Claritin-D
the possible side effects of Claritin-D
what happens if you miss a dose of Claritin-D
what happens if you overdose with Claritin-D
the most important information about Claritin-D
how to use Claritin-D
other drugs that may affect Claritin-D
what to avoid while using Claritin-D

Generic Name: loratadine and pseudoephedrine (lor AH ta deen and soo doe eh FEH drin)
Brand Names: Claritin-D, Claritin-D 24 Hour

What is the most important information I should know about loratadine and pseudoephedrine?

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Take loratadine and pseudoephedrine on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after food.

What is loratadine and pseudoephedrine?

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Loratadine is an antihistamine. It works against the naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body. Loratadine prevents sneezing; runny nose; itching, watery eyes; and other allergic symptoms.

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Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant. It constricts (shrinks) blood vessels (veins and arteries). By decreasing blood flow, it decreases congestion.

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Loratadine and pseudoephedrine is used to relieve symptoms of allergic conditions.

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Loratadine and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking loratadine and pseudoephedrine?

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Do not take loratadine and pseudoephedrine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

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Before taking loratadine and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you have

asthma or another lung disease;

diabetes;

thyroid problems;

glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye;

urinary retention or an enlarged prostate;

narrowing of the esophagus or gastrointestinal tract or difficulty swallowing;

kidney or liver disease; or

heart disease, high blood pressure, or an irregular heartbeat.

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You may not be able to take loratadine and pseudoephedrine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Loratadine and pseudoephedrine is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take loratadine and pseudoephedrine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

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Loratadine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take loratadine and pseudoephedrine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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Loratadine and pseudoephedrine has not been approved for use by children younger than 12 years of age.

How should I take loratadine and pseudoephedrine?

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Take loratadine and pseudoephedrine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Take loratadine and pseudoephedrine on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

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Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body.

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Never take more of this medication than is directed by your doctor. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

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Store loratadine and pseudoephedrine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention.

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Symptoms of a loratadine and pseudoephedrine overdose include headache, drowsiness, an irregular heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, sweating, increased thirst, weakness, and restlessness.

What should I avoid while taking loratadine and pseudoephedrine?

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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Loratadine and pseudoephedrine may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these

What are the possible side effects of loratadine and pseudoephedrine?

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Serious side effects are not likely to occur with the use of loratadine and pseudoephedrine. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking loratadine and pseudoephedrine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

an irregular heartbeat; or

seizures.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take loratadine and pseudoephedrine and talk to your doctor if you experience

dizziness;

headache;

insomnia;

nervousness;

nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort;

dry mouth;

dry skin or itchiness; or

discoloration of urine.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect loratadine and pseudoephedrine?

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

a heart medication such as propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor), digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), reserpine (Serpasil), or methyldopa (Aldomet);

a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); or

caffeine, amphetamines, decongestants, or diet pills.

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You may not be able to take loratadine and pseudoephedrine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with loratadine and pseudoephedrine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about loratadine and pseudoephedrine written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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