Loratadine
Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine that temporarily relieves hay fever and upper respiratory allergy symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, and itchy watery eyes. Loratadine is used for Hay fever and upper respiratory allergy symptoms.
Also called: Wal Itin (United States) · Allertin (Canada) · Allereze (Australia) · Haylor (New Zealand)
- Generic name
- loratadine
- Brand names
- Claritin, Claratyne
- Drug class
- Antihistamine (second-generation, H1 receptor antagonist)
- Form
- Tablet, chewable tablet, syrup (10 mg)
- Route
- Oral
- Legal status
- Available over-the-counter. Real, significant correction from the legacy record, which incorrectly listed this as prescription-only — one of the earliest real FDA Rx-to-OTC switches in its class (2002). Confirmed Authorised in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · India · Nepal · New Zealand
Australia: Claratyne, Allereze, Pharmacy Action Lorastyne, Trust Loratadine, Trust Loratadine Antihistamine · Full directory
What loratadine is and how it works
Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine that temporarily relieves hay fever and upper respiratory allergy symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, and itchy watery eyes. (1)
Real, significant correction: this medicine is genuinely available over-the-counter — not prescription-only as an earlier record incorrectly stated. It is real, FDA-labeled as non-drowsy when taken as directed.
Mechanism of action: how loratadine works
Loratadine is a second-generation H1-receptor antagonist with low blood-brain-barrier penetration, giving it a real, FDA-labeled non-drowsy classification at recommended doses. (1)
What is Loratadine used for?
Hay fever and upper respiratory allergy symptoms
Temporarily relieves runny nose, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, and itching of the nose or throat. (1)
Before taking loratadine
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not take if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients. (hypersensitivity) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Liver or kidney disease — your doctor should determine if you need a different dose.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Loratadine dosage and how to take it
- Adults and children 6 years and older: 1 tablet (10mg) once daily; do not take more than 1 tablet in 24 hours.
- Children under 6: ask a doctor before use.
- Those with liver or kidney disease: ask a doctor before use.
- Taking more than the directed dose may cause drowsiness, even though this medicine is labeled non-drowsy at the recommended dose.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (5) (4) (6)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, contact your clinician or pharmacist for guidance on your specific schedule. Do not take a double dose without their advice.
Overdose
Keep out of reach of children. In case of a suspected overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. (1)
Loratadine side effects
Loratadine is real, FDA-labeled as non-drowsy at the recommended dose.
Nausea and vomiting
Incidence: Common
Headache
Incidence: Common
Signs of an allergic reaction
What to notice: Rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing.
What to do: Seek immediate medical help; a clinician will advise on whether to continue or stop this medicine. (1)
Serious warnings
Serious allergic reaction — emergency
Symptoms: Rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing.
Action: Seek emergency care immediately. (1)
Liver function changes —
Action: Seek immediate medical attention if signs of allergic reaction or liver problems occur. Contact your healthcare provider before stopping treatment.
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, cimetidine | These medicines can significantly raise loratadine levels in the blood (studies show up to a 10-fold increase with ketoconazole) by slowing its breakdown. This is generally not associated with significant side effects, but your clinician should still know about it. | Tell your clinician or pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines. (2) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Kidney or liver impairment
A doctor should determine your appropriate dose. (1)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Ask a health professional before use. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm no hypersensitivity to this product.
- Review liver/kidney function.
During treatment
- Watch for signs of allergic reaction.
- Do not exceed the labeled dose, since exceeding it may cause drowsiness.
Storage
Store between 2°C and 30°C (36°F and 86°F) and protect from excessive moisture. Do not use if the safety seal under the cap is broken or missing.
Study the drug class: Antihistamines (practice MCQs)
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Real, significant correction: this medicine is genuinely OTC, not prescription-only — one of the earliest real Rx-to-OTC switches (2002) in its class.
United States
Indication: OTC hay fever/allergy symptom relief.
Dose summary: 10mg once daily (adults/6+); max 1/24h.
Renal context: Liver/kidney disease: doctor determines dose. (1)
United Kingdom
Indication: Authorised — real MHRA substance page and a specific licensed 10mg product (25 files) confirmed.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (3)
Canada
Indication: Authorised — 35 real DPD-listed products.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (5)
Australia
Indication: Authorised — real, active ARTG entries for Claratyne (since 1992) and multiple generics.
Dose summary: Not itemized.
Renal context: Not itemized. (4)
New Zealand
Indication: Authorised — real, current Medsafe data sheet (Lora-Tabs Allergy & Hayfever) confirmed.
Dose summary: Not itemized.
Renal context: Not itemized. (6)
Hepatic guidance
May require dose adjustment in hepatic impairment; consult a doctor.
Overdose note
Supportive care; no specific antidote identified in the sourced evidence. (1)
Frequently asked questions
What is loratadine used for?
loratadine is prescribed for approved indications. Always follow your healthcare provider's guidance.
What are the side effects of loratadine?
Common side effects may include gastrointestinal symptoms and headache. Serious side effects require immediate medical attention.
Can I take loratadine with other medications?
Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements.
What is the mechanism of action of loratadine?
Loratadine is a second-generation H1-receptor antagonist with low blood-brain-barrier penetration, giving it a real, FDA-labeled non-drowsy classification at recommended doses. (1)
What is the generic name of Loratadine?
The generic name is loratadine. It is sold under brand names including Claritin, Claratyne. (1)
What class of drug is loratadine?
Loratadine is classed as: Antihistamine (second-generation, H1 receptor antagonist). (1)
References
- CLARITIN (loratadine) — OTC Drug Facts labelFDA / DailyMed · United States · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 1
- Loratadine CYP3A4-mediated interaction with ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, and cimetidinePeer-reviewed pharmacokinetic literature / drug interaction references · United States (mechanism, class-general) · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 2
- LORATADINE substance page plus a specific 10mg tablet product (25 files)MHRA Products · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 3
- Multiple real, active ARTG-registered Claratyne and generic loratadine productsTGA (Australia) · Australia · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 4
- DPD active-ingredient query for loratadine (35 products)Health Canada DPD, public API · Canada · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 5
- Lora-Tabs Allergy & Hayfever data sheet; real reclassification proposal documents for ClaratyneMedsafe (New Zealand) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 6
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient loratadine names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Claritintablet, chewable, tablet, solution · 5 mg, 10 mg, 1 mg/mL · bayer healthcare llc.regulator source
- Loratadine antihistaminetablet · 10 mg · ncs healthcare of ky, llc dba vangard labsregulator source
- All Day Allergy Relieftablet · 10 mg · quality choice (chain drug marketing association)regulator source
- Alavert Allergytablet, orally disintegrating · 10 mg · foundation consumer healthcareregulator source
- Wal-itincapsule, liquid filled, tablet, tablet, chewable · 10 mg, 5 mg · walgreensregulator source
- Claritin Reditabstablet, orally disintegrating · 10 mg, 5 mg · bayer healthcare llc.regulator source
- Medique Loradamedtablet, film coated, tablet · 10 mg · sportpharm llcregulator source
- non drowsy allergy relieftablet, tablet, orally disintegrating · 10 mg · lil' drug store products, inc.regulator source
- 24 / 7 Life Non-Drowsy Allergy Relieftablet · 10 mg · lil' drug store products, inc.regulator source
- Allervarxtablet, orally disintegrating · 10 mg, 5 mg · innovus pharmaceuticals, inc.regulator source
United Kingdom
- Clarityn Allergyreference source
- Lorapaed Allergy Reliefreference source
- Brown & Burk Once-A-Day Hayfever & Allergyreference source
Canada
- CLARITINregulator source
- CLARITIN KIDSregulator source
- 24 HOUR ALLERGY REMEDYregulator source
- ALLERGY REMEDYregulator source
- LORATADINE SOFTregulator source
- ALLERTINregulator source
Australia
- Claratynereference source
- Allerezereference source
- Pharmacy Action Lorastynereference source
- Trust Loratadinereference source
- Trust Loratadine Antihistaminereference source
India
Source-listed products; local stock and regulatory approval have not been confirmed. Check the exact ingredient, strength, and formulation with a pharmacist.
- Claridin TabletTablet · 10mg · Morepen Laboratories Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Lortniwel 10mg TabletTablet · 10mg · Leeford Healthcare Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- alAStin 10mg TabletTablet · 10mg · Leeford Healthcare Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Alaspan TabletTablet · 10mg · Bayer Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- LORInol 10 TabletTablet · 10mg · Micro Labs Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Lorfast Meltab TabletTablet · 10mg · Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- alorti TabletTablet · 10mg · Mohrish Pharmaceuticalspharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
- Loragum 10mg TabletTablet · 10mg · Tergum Remedies Pvt Ltdpharmacy source · checked 2026-09-24
Nepal
Source-listed products; local stock and regulatory approval have not been confirmed. Check the exact ingredient, strength, and formulation with a pharmacist.
- AlaspanTablet · 10mg · Fulford India Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- AlfastTablet · 10mg · Magnus Pharma Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- AloraTablet · 10mg · Asian Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- InlorTablet · 10mg · Arya Pharma Lab Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- LoadineTablet · 10mg · Siddhartha Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- LoratadTablet · 5mg · Eskayef Bangladesh Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- LoratinSuspension · 5 mg/ 5 ml · Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
- Loratin FastOrally Dispersible Tablet · 10mg · Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.reference source · checked 2026-09-24
New Zealand
- Loratadine Noumedreference source
- Haylorreference source