Loratadine

Chemical formula: C₂₂H₂₃ClN₂O₂  Molecular mass: 382.883 g/mol  PubChem compound: 3957

Interactions

Loratadine interacts in the following cases:

CYP3A4 inhibitors, CYP2D6 inhibitors

Potential interaction may occur with all known inhibitors of CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 resulting in elevated levels of loratadine, which may cause an increase in adverse events.

Severe hepatic impairment

Patients with severe liver impairment should be administered a lower initial dose because they may have reduced clearance of loratadine. An initial dose of 10mg every other day is recommended for adults and children weighing more than 30kg.

Ketoconazole, erythromycin, cimetidine

Increase in plasma concentrations of loratadine has been reported after concomitant use with ketoconazole, erythromycin, and cimetidine in controlled trials, but without clinically significant changes (including electrocardiographic).

Pregnancy

A large amount of data on pregnant women (more than 1000 exposed outcomes) indicate no malformative nor feto/neonatal toxicity of loratadine. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of loratadine during pregnancy.

Nursing mothers

Loratadine is excreted in breast milk, therefore the use of loratadine is not recommended in breast-feeding women.

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and fertility

Fertility

There is no data available on male and female fertility.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

In clinical trials that assessed driving ability, no impairment occurred in patients receiving loratadine. Loratadine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, patients should be informed that very rarely some people experience drowsiness, which may affect their ability to drive or use machines.

Adverse reactions


Summary of the safety profile

In clinical trials involving adults and adolescents in a range of indications including allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), at the recommended dose of 10mg daily, adverse reactions with loratadine were reported in 2% of patients in excess of those treated with placebo. The most frequent adverse reactions reported in excess of placebo were somnolence (1.2%), headache (0.6%), increased appetite (0.5%) and insomnia (0.1%).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The following adverse reactions reported during the post-marketing period are listed in the following table by System Organ Class. Frequencies are defined as very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000) and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

System Organ Class Frequency Adverse Experience Term
Immune system disorders Very rare Hypersensitivity reactions (including
angioedema and anaphylaxis)
Nervous system disorders Very rare Dizziness, convulsion
Cardiac disorders Very rareTachycardia, palpitation
Gastrointestinal disorders Very rareNausea, dry mouth, gastritis
Hepatobiliary disorders Very rare Abnormal hepatic function
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Very rare Rash, alopecia
General disorders and administration site
conditions
Very rareFatigue
Investigations Not known Weight increased

Paediatric population

In clinical trials in a paediatric population, children aged 2 through 12 years, common adverse reactions reported in excess of placebo were headache (2.7%), nervousness (2.3%), and fatigue (1%).

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