As effective as astemizole (no longer commercially available in the US), azatadine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, or terfenadine (no longer commercially available in the US).
Has been used for the symptomatic treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis†.
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Self-medication for symptomatic relief of pruritus, erythema, and urticaria associated with chronic idiopathic urticaria (e.g., hives); not for prevention of chronic idiopathic urticaria or allergic skin reactions.
Dosage and Administration
Administration
Oral Administration
Administer conventional tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and fixed-combination tablets orally without regard to meals.
Orally disintegrating tablets: Place tablet on the tongue, allow it to disintegrate (within a few seconds), then swallow with or without water.
Fixed-combination loratadine/pseudoephedrine tablets: Swallow whole; do not break, crush, chew, or dissolve. Administer Claritin-D® 24 Hour tablets with a full glass of water.
Dosage
Fixed-combination tablets formulated for 12-hour dosing contain 5 mg of loratadine and 60 mg of pseudoephedrine sulfate in an immediate-release outer shell and 60 mg of pseudoephedrine sulfate in an extended-release matrix core that slowly releases the drug.
Fixed-combination tablets formulated for 24-hour dosing contain 10 mg of loratadine in an immediate-release outer shell and 240 mg of pseudoephedrine sulfate in an extended-release matrix core that slowly releases the drug.
Pediatric Patients
Allergic Rhinitis
Oral
Self-medication in children 2 to <6 years of age: 5 mg once daily (as oral solution).
Self-medication in children ≥6 years of age: 10 mg once daily (as conventional or orally disintegrating tablets or oral solution).
Self-medication in children ≥12 years of age: 5 mg every 12 hours (in fixed combination with 120 mg pseudoephedrine sulfate as the 12-hour formulation [e.g., Alavert® Allergy & Sinus, Claritin-D® 12 Hour]) or 10 mg once daily (in fixed combination with 240 mg pseudoephedrine sulfate as the 24-hour formulation [Claritin-D® 24 Hour]).
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Oral
Children 2–5 years of age: Not recommended for self-medication; a dosage of 5 mg once daily (as oral solution) has been recommended when clinicians prescribe the drug in children 2–5 years of age.
Self-medication in children ≥6 years of age: 10 mg once daily.
Adults
Allergic Rhinitis
Oral
Self-medication: 10 mg once daily (as conventional or orally disintegrating tablets or oral solution).
Self-medication: 5 mg every 12 hours (in fixed combination with 120 mg pseudoephedrine sulfate as the 12-hour formulation) or 10 mg once daily (in fixed combination with 240 mg pseudoephedrine sulfate as the 24-hour formulation).
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Oral
Self-medication: 10 mg once daily.
Prescribing Limits
Pediatric Patients
Allergic Rhinitis
Oral
Self-medication in children 2 to <6 years of age: Maximum 5 mg once daily (as oral solution).
Self-medication in children ≥6 years of age: Maximum 10 mg once daily (as conventional or orally disintegrating tablets or oral solution).
Self-medication in children ≥12 years of age: Maximum 10 mg daily (in fixed combination with pseudoephedrine sulfate as the 12-hour or 24-hour formulations).
Adults
Allergic Rhinitis
Oral
Self-medication: Maximum 10 mg once daily (as conventional or orally disintegrating tablets or oral solution).
Self-medication: Maximum 10 mg daily (in fixed combination with pseudoephedrine sulfate as the 12-hour or 24-hour formulations).
Special Populations
Hepatic Impairment
Self-medication: Consult a clinician.
Children 2–5 years of age with hepatic failure: 5 mg every other day (as oral solution).
Adults and children ≥6 years of age with hepatic failure: 10 mg every other day (as conventional or orally disintegrating tablets or oral solution).
Fixed-combination loratadine/pseudoephedrine sulfate preparations generally should not be used in patients with hepatic impairment.
Renal Impairment
Self-medication: Consult a clinician.
Children 2–5 years of age with renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/minute): 5 mg every other day (as oral solution).
Adults and children ≥6 years of age with renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/minute): 10 mg every other day (as conventional or orally disintegrating tablets or oral solution).
Fixed-combination loratadine/pseudoephedrine sulfate preparations in adults and children ≥12 years of age with renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/minute): 5 mg of loratadine once daily (when the 12-hour formulation is used) or 10 mg of loratadine every other day (when the 24-hour formulation is used).
Media Gallery
Drug Info Tools
