Children's Claritin (Oral)

Loratadine is used to relieve allergy symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and itching in the eyes, nose, or throat.

This medicine can be bought without a prescription (OTC).

If your condition or your child's condition does not improve within a few days, or if it gets worse, contact your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will weigh the risks of the medicine against its benefits. Consider the following for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of loratadine in children. However, safety and effectiveness have not been established in children younger than 6 years of age for liquid-filled capsules, chewable tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and tablets, and in children younger than 2 years of age for oral liquid.

Geriatric

There is no available information on how age affects the effects of loratadine in older adults.

Breast Feeding

Studies suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others may be used together even if there could be an interaction. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when using this medicine. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential importance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Amiodarone
• Carbamazepine
• Pitolisant

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around meal times or with specific foods due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect the use of this medicine. Ensure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Use with caution. Your doctor will determine your dose.

• Phenylketonuria (PKU)—The chewable tablet contains phenylalanine (aspartame), which can worsen this condition.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they might need medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Drowsiness

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, consult your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Alavert
• Children's Claritin
• Children's Clear-Atadine
• Children's Dimetapp ND Allergy
• Claritin
• Claritin Reditabs
• Clearatadine
• Loradamed
• Triaminic Allerchews

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet, Chewable
• Tablet
• Tablet, Disintegrating
• Syrup
• Solution
• Capsule, Liquid Filled

Therapeutic Class: Respiratory Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Antihistamine, Less-Sedating

Chemical Class: Piperidine

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Follow the instructions on the medicine label.

Orally disintegrating tablet: Place one tablet on the tongue, with or without water.

Oral liquid: Measure with a medicine cup.

Chewable tablets: Chew or crush tablets before swallowing.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For allergies:For oral dosage form (chewable tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, tablets): Adults and children 6 years of age and older—One tablet or 10 milligrams (mg) once a day. Do not take more than one tablet per day. Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For oral dosage form (liquid-filled capsules): Adults and children 6 years of age and older—One capsule or 10 milligrams (mg) once a day. Do not take more than one capsule per day. Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For oral dosage form (solution): Adults and children 6 years of age and older—2 teaspoonfuls or 10 milliliters (mL) once a day. Do not take more than 2 teaspoonfuls per day. Children 2 to younger than 6 years of age—1 teaspoonful or 5 mL once day. Do not take more than 1 teaspoonful per day. Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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