What is loratadine?
Loratadine, oh dear reader, is a mesmerizing antihistamine that performs the unenviable task of assuaging the unpleasant effects of natural chemical histamine, which can cause you to sneeze, itch, and produce copious amounts of tears or mucus from your nose.
This wondrous medication, my curious friend, is used for the treatment of the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, hay fever, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms that assail the human body. But wait, there’s more! Loratadine is also deployed to mollify the incessant itching and skin hives that plague people with chronic skin reactions.
Now, dear reader, before you proceed, it is incumbent upon me to apprise you of the warnings and admonitions that accompany the use of loratadine. You are strongly advised not to take this medication if you are allergic to loratadine or to desloratadine (Clarinex).
Moreover, in the interest of prudence, it is recommended that you strictly adhere to all directions and instructions on the medicine label and packaging, and duly inform each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and any and all medicines you are using.
Please be advised that certain chewable dosage forms of loratadine may contain phenylalanine, which can be harmful to those with phenylketonuria (PKU). As such, it is strongly recommended that you speak to your doctor before using these forms of loratadine if you have this condition.
Another word of caution, my dear reader, you are enjoined to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have liver or kidney disease.
Should you require related or similar drugs, kindly consider the likes of prednisone, hydroxyzine, montelukast, fluticasone nasal, cetirizine, promethazine, and triamcinolone.
Before you take this medicine, I beseech you to ask a doctor or pharmacist if loratadine is safe to use if you have ever had kidney disease or liver disease. It is also noteworthy that the disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Finally, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you must consult a doctor before using this medicine.
I implore you, dear reader, do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without medical advice. As you may already know, death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Should you decide to use loratadine, please follow the instructions on the label or those provided by your doctor to the letter. Do not use more than the prescribed dosage or use it for a longer period than recommended. Remember that cold or allergy medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
