Imagine waking up in the morning and feeling constantly itchy, your eyes red and itchy, a runny nose... Or suddenly you have small red bumps all over your body and you start itching unbearably... There is hardly anyone who has not experienced such allergies, that is, allergic reactions, at least once in their lives. So, at this time, a medicine that doctors often give us, and which many people know, is called Loratadine. Today, we will talk about this medicine, how it works, its possible side effects, and the things to be careful about when using it.
What kind of medicine is Loratadine?
Simply put, Loratadine is a medication that is used to prevent and treat the symptoms of allergies. When our body is allergic to something, such as dust, pollen, or food, our body's immune system releases a chemical called histamine .
It is this histamine that is responsible for those annoying symptoms we talked about earlier. That is:
- Red, itchy eyes
- Continuously going crazy
- Nasal discharge or nasal congestion
- Itching of red bumps (hives) on the skin
So what this loratadine pill does is stop the chemical called histamine from working in the body. That's why we call this class of drugs antihistamines . Doctors may also prescribe this medicine for other things besides the allergies mentioned above. So if you have any questions, ask your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will ask you a few questions. You should also make sure to tell him about the following things, as they are very important for your safety.
- Asthma: If you have asthma.
- Kidney disease: If you have any kidney-related condition.
- Liver disease: If you suffer from liver-related conditions.
- Previous allergies: Whether you have had an allergic reaction to loratadine, other allergy medications, any other medications, foods, or food dyes in the past.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant soon.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a breastfeeding mother.
By giving this information to your doctor, he can determine exactly whether this medication is right for you or not, or whether the dosage needs to be changed.
How should I use the medicine?
The way to use this is very simple. This is a medicine that should be taken with a glass of water. Usually, this medicine can be taken before or after meals. It does not have much effect.
The most important thing is to take it exactly as prescribed, at the time your doctor prescribes. If you are prescribed one pill a day, take only that one. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
If you give it to children...
If you are giving this medicine to children, especially children under the age of 6, you should definitely talk to your doctor. In some cases, doctors also prescribe this medicine to children, but it requires special care and the correct dosage.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
Imagine that you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine. If this happens , do not panic at all , but do not take it lightly either. Go immediately to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give it to someone else just because they have the same symptoms as you. Even if they have the same symptoms, the cause and treatment needed may be different.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
Things to keep in mind while taking the medicine
- Symptoms: If your symptoms do not improve, or even worsen, be sure to see your doctor again and tell him/her about it.
- Dry mouth: Some people experience dry mouth when taking this medication. This is normal. Chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on unsweetened candy, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help. However, if this problem persists or is severe, talk to your doctor.
- Drowsiness/Dizziness: Loratadine is not a very sleepy drug like other older allergy medications (e.g., Piritan). However, it can cause some people to feel a little sleepy or dizzy. Therefore , avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires a lot of attention until you know exactly how this medication affects you. Be careful when getting up from a sitting or standing position, especially if you are elderly. You may feel dizzy and fall.
Side effects that may occur with this medicine
Like any medicine, loratadine can cause side effects in some people, although not everyone gets them.
| Type of side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Severe allergic reactions | Symptoms such as skin rash, severe itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, and difficulty breathing. These are rare but very serious. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Drowsiness | Some people may experience slight drowsiness. |
| Dry mouth | A feeling of saliva stuck in the mouth. |
| Headache | A mild or moderate headache. |
| Fatigue | Feeling tired or fatigued. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
How should I store the medicine?
- Keep it in a safe place out of the reach and sight of children .
- Store at room temperature. That is, between 2 and 30 degrees Celsius. Protect from excessive heat and moisture. Therefore, it is not a good idea to keep medication in places like the bathroom.
- Be sure to throw away expired medication.
Take-Home Message
- Loratadine is an antihistamine that blocks the action of histamine in the body and controls allergy symptoms.
- Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially asthma, liver and kidney disease) and any other medicines you are taking.
- Always take your medicine at the exact dose and time prescribed by your doctor. Never take more than the recommended amount.
- If you accidentally take too much medicine, go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately or call the National Poisons Information Center.
- Some people may experience drowsiness or dizziness, so avoid driving and activities that require alertness until you know how the medicine affects you.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms such as facial swelling and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න