Loratadine

Loratadine, sold under the brand name Claritin among others, is a medication used to treat <a href="/facts/Allergies/dYAVosh8">allergies</a>. This includes <a href="/facts/Allergic_rhinitis/ukE6bkIs">allergic rhinitis</a> (hay fever) and <a href="/facts/Hives/zMkVo9qL">hives</a>. It is also available in drug combinations such as <a href="/facts/Loratadine%2fpseudoephedrine/2TV8wPSE">loratadine/pseudoephedrine</a>, in which it is combined with <a href="/facts/Pseudoephedrine/b2rMjnLv">pseudoephedrine</a>, a <a href="/facts/Nasal_decongestant/Vthbc5a0">nasal decongestant</a>. It is taken orally.
Common side effects include sleepiness, dry mouth, and headache. Serious side effects are rare and include <a href="/facts/Allergic_reactions/dYAVosh8">allergic reactions</a>, <a href="/facts/Seizures/zuIrQyze">seizures</a>, and <a href="/facts/Liver_problems/NHtuS0gU">liver problems</a>. Use during <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a> appears to be safe but has not been well studied. It is not recommended in children less than two years old. It is in the <a href="/facts/Second-generation_antihistamine/L8azxq55">second-generation antihistamine</a> family of medications.
Loratadine was patented in 1980 and came to market in 1988. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. Loratadine is available as a <a href="/facts/Generic_medication/IF6AXDVX">generic medication</a>. In the United States, it is available <a href="/facts/Over_the_counter/QI3FcgRf">over the counter</a>. In 2022, it was the 72nd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 9 million prescriptions. In 2022, the combination with <a href="/facts/Pseudoephedrine/b2rMjnLv">pseudoephedrine</a> was the 289th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 500,000 prescriptions.

Loratadine open-in-new

Loratadine