Loratadine (Claritin) tips from pharmacists

• Loratadine does not make you as drowsy as other antihistamines, especially older generations. However, you should not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you know how your body reacts to this medication. 

• You can take this medication with or without food. You can take loratadine at night if it makes you drowsy.

• Loratadine is only for the temporary relief of allergy symptoms. You should talk to your doctor about other alternatives if you have persistent, daily allergy symptoms

• You should not use chewable tablets or orally disintegrating tablets if you have a history of phenylketonuria. The regular tablets would be the safer option for you as they do not contain phenylalanine. 

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have kidney or liver disease before taking loratadine. The typical dose for patients with kidney or liver problems is 5 mg by mouth once daily or 10 mg every other day. 

• Like other antihistamines, loratadine may decrease the response to skin pricks test. You should discontinue loratadine 48 hours before skin testing.