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Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on June 26, 2023

This article describes loratadine’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of loratadine.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of loratadine. To find coupons for loratadine oral liquid solution, see this article. For more information about the orally disintegrating form of loratadine, view this article.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about loratadine.

Is loratadine similar to desloratadine or cetirizine?

Yes, loratadine is similar to desloratadine and cetirizine. They’re all second-generation antihistamines. This group of antihistamines is less likely to cause drowsiness than older antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Similar to loratadine, cetirizine is also available over the counter without a prescription. However, desloratadine requires a doctor’s prescription.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What brand names are available for loratadine?

Loratadine is available as the brand-name drugs Claritin, Alavert, Triaminic Allerchews, and others. There are also store brands, such as Wal-itin.

If you’d like to know more about brand names of loratadine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can loratadine be taken for the flu?

No, it isn’t likely that your doctor or pharmacist would recommend loratadine for the flu. Loratadine isn’t approved for this use. Its main use is to relieve the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies. Stronger antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine, are usually taken for the flu and colds.

To find out more about choosing flu medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is it safe to take loratadine along with pseudoephedrine?

Yes, if pseudoephedrine is safe for you, it’s likely safe to take it along with loratadine. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant. It works to relieve nasal stuffiness. But it should not be taken by some people with chronic (long-term) medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or glaucoma.

There’s a combination drug called loratadine/pseudoephedrine (Claritin D, others) that contains loratadine and pseudoephedrine in one tablet. If recommended by your doctor or pharmacist, you can buy it at the pharmacy counter.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about loratadine and pseudoephedrine. They can let you know whether it’s safe for you to take these drugs together.

How does loratadine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Loratadine works by blocking a chemical called histamine. The immune system releases histamine in response to allergens, such as pollen. Histamine causes allergic symptoms, such as itching and sneezing. Blocking histamine helps relieve these symptoms.

Loratadine should start working about an hour after you take it. It usually lasts about 24 hours.

If you’d like to know more about what to expect with loratadine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as loratadine for certain conditions. Approved uses for loratadine are described below.

Use for allergies

Loratadine helps treat symptoms of hay fever and other allergies. The oral tablet, oral capsule, and orally disintegrating tablet* are used for this purpose in adults and children ages 6 years and older. The oral liquid solution and chewable tablet are used in adults and children ages 2 years and older.

Loratadine is usually recommended as a short-term treatment.

With allergies, your immune system reacts to allergens by releasing a chemical called histamine. This causes symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes, nose, or throat. Taking loratadine can help relieve these symptoms.

Common allergens include animal dander, dust mites, insect venom, drugs, and food. It may also include latex, mold spores, or plant pollen.

* Orally disintegrating tablets are dissolved on your tongue.

Below, you’ll find information about loratadine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of loratadine

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take loratadine, ask your doctor or pharmacist to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for loratadine” section below.

Warnings for loratadine

Some people should not take loratadine, and others should take it cautiously.

Loratadine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether loratadine is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about specific warnings for loratadine, and be sure to tell them about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Loratadine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to loratadine or any of its ingredients, your doctor or pharmacist will likely recommend that you do not take loratadine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to loratadine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of loratadine

If you take loratadine by mouth, you should not take more than is recommended. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much loratadine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and loratadine

Information about loratadine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Loratadine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether loratadine should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication.

Loratadine and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether loratadine should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication.

Loratadine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of loratadine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about loratadine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the Drugs Facts label for loratadine in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of loratadine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about loratadine’s side effects, see the labels for loratadine in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of loratadine oral tablet and oral liquid solution include:

• drowsiness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for loratadine” section.

Serious side effects

A serious side effect of loratadine is listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about loratadine’s side effects, see the labels for loratadine in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, loratadine’s serious side effects include severe allergic reaction. For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for loratadine” section.

This article describes loratadine’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about loratadine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does loratadine compare with other over-the-counter antihistamines?
• Are there prescription drugs that I can take for my condition?
• Do I need a different dose than the one the loratadine manufacturer recommends?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Loratadine – loratadine capsule, liquid filled. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a057241d-a655-4847-9d2d-d45293f45d87/spl-doc
• Loratadine- loratadine solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/3881afaf-8d0d-4154-85a8-79a3c7806b49/spl-doc
• Loratadine- loratadine tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f98ebe1f-c3cc-ce98-e053-6394a90aeb0b/spl-doc
• Loratadine- loratadine tablet, chewable. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/71adc5b3-3a91-4a1f-acb3-78922a7d9d5a/spl-doc
• Loratadine- loratadine tablet, orally disintegrating. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7ed2aec0-4da7-4edc-9998-b96c67c82738/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.