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Claritin Reditab
This page contains drug information on Claritin Reditab.
The information provided includes the following:
- what is Claritin Reditab
- the possible side effects of Claritin Reditab
- what happens if you miss a dose of Claritin Reditab
- what happens if you overdose with Claritin Reditab
- the most important information about Claritin Reditab
- how to use Claritin Reditab
- other drugs that may affect Claritin Reditab
- what to avoid while using Claritin Reditab
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Generic Name: loratadine (lor AH ta deen)
Brand Names:
Alavert, Claritin, Claritin Reditab |
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What is the most important information I should know about
loratadine?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Although unlikely, loratadine may cause
dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness,
avoid these activities. |
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Loratadine is an antihistamine. Antihistamines prevent
sneezing, runny nose, itching and watering of the eyes, and other
allergic symptoms. |
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Loratadine is used to treat allergies, hives (urticaria),
and other allergic inflammatory conditions. |
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Loratadine may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
loratadine?
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Before taking loratadine, tell your doctor if you have |
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ever had an allergic reaction to an antihistamine; |
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You may not be able to take loratadine, 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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The Alavert brand of loratadine orally-disintegrating tablets
contain 8.4 mg phenylalanine per tablet. Individuals with
phenylketonuria may need to monitor their intake of this additive. |
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Loratadine 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
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become
pregnant during treatment. |
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Loratadine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant.
Do not take loratadine without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take loratadine?
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Take loratadine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. |
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Do not crush, chew, or break the regular Claritin tablets. Swallow
them whole. |
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Place the loratadine rapidly-disintegrating-tablets (Claritin
Reditabs, Alavert) on the tongue and allow them to dissolve. The tablet
will disintegrate rapidly. Swallow with or without water. |
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To ensure the correct dose, measure the syrup form of loratadine
with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If
you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. |
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Loratadine is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's
instructions. |
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Never take more of this medication than directed. If your symptoms
do not improve, talk to your doctor. |
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Store loratadine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Use the loratadine rapidly-disintegrating-tablets (Claritin Reditabs)
within 6 months of opening the laminated foil pouch, and immediately
upon opening the individual tablet blisters. |
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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. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
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Symptoms of a loratadine overdose include headache, drowsiness,
irregular heartbeat, nausea, and vomiting. |
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What should I avoid while taking loratadine?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Although unlikely, loratadine may cause dizziness
or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these
activities. |
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What are the possible side effects of loratadine?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking loratadine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency
medical attention. |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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an irregular heartbeat; or |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take loratadine and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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drowsiness or dizziness; |
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nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort; |
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dry skin or itchiness; or |
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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. |
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What other drugs will affect loratadine?
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There are no known interactions between loratadine and other
medications. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal products, during treatment with loratadine. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about loratadine 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. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.02. Revision Date: 1/
23/ 04. |
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