Sometimes you wake up in the morning with a runny nose, right? Or your nose is blocked, your eyes are red and itchy. Sometimes you can't stop scratching your skin. How annoying are these allergic symptoms in our daily lives? So, one of the most common medications we use at times like this is Loratadine. Today we're going to talk about this medication, especially the disintegrating tablet.
What kind of medicine is Loratadine?
Simply put, Loratadine is a medicine that is used to prevent and treat the symptoms of allergies. It can help relieve things like itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, or hives.
Imagine, when we have an allergy, our body cells produce a chemical called 'histamine' . This histamine is the main cause of sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and hives. Loratadine tablets block the action of histamine. To be precise, they belong to a group of drugs called 'antihistamines' .
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before you start using this medication, you should definitely tell your doctor this information, as this information may determine whether the dosage or medication is appropriate for you.
| Do you have these conditions? | Why is it important to inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Asthma | Since some antihistamines can interact with asthma, this will help you choose the treatment that best suits your condition. |
| Kidney disease | The medicine is filtered from the body by the kidneys. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, the dose of the medicine may need to be reduced. |
| Liver disease | The liver breaks down medications in the body. If you have liver disease, your doctor may decide to change the dosage of the medication. |
| Allergies to Loratadine or other substances | It is very important to tell us if you are allergic to this medicine, other medicines, foods, or preservatives. |
| Being pregnant or expecting a baby | It is essential to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | Because this medication can pass into breast milk, it is important to talk to your doctor about the possible effects on the baby. |
How to use the medicine correctly?
This is an oral medication. Follow the instructions on the label exactly. It doesn't matter if you take it before or after meals.
The most important thing is that since this is a disintegrating tablet, do not take the tablet out of the blister package until you are ready to take it.
Here's exactly how to do it:
1. Carefully remove the seal from the packet with dry hands .
2. Take out the tablet and hold it directly on your tongue.
3. Wait until it dissolves completely and then swallow. You don't need to drink any water with this.
Get into the habit of taking your medicine at about the same time every day. Don't take more than the doctor tells you to.
What if you give it to children?
Doctors also recommend this medicine for children over 6 years of age in some selected cases. However, it is imperative to ask your doctor for specific advice about it.
What do you do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine is for you only. Do not give it to anyone else without your doctor's advice.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Pay attention to symptoms: If your allergy symptoms don't go away, or seem to be getting worse, definitely talk to your doctor.
- Dry mouth: It is normal to experience dry mouth while taking this medication. This can be managed by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, and drinking plenty of water. However, if it persists or becomes severe, talk to your doctor.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: Some people may feel a little drowsy or dizzy after taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires mental effort until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are an elderly person, do it slowly when getting up from a standing position or from a sitting position. This will reduce the chance of dizziness and falling.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Loratadine can cause side effects in some people, although not everyone gets them.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Severe allergic reactions | Severe skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Drowsiness | Although Loratadine is generally a non-drowsy medication, some people may experience drowsiness. |
| Dry mouth | Feeling of decreased salivation in the mouth. |
| Headache | Mild or moderate headache. |
| Fatigue | An unusual feeling of fatigue in the body. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned on this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Loratadine is a commonly used antihistamine that controls allergic symptoms.
- Do not remove the disintegrating tablet from the package until you are ready to take it. Take it with dry hands and place it on your tongue.
- Before taking this medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially asthma, kidney or liver disease) and any other medications you are taking.
- Some people may feel drowsy, so avoid driving or doing tasks that require alertness until you know how the medication affects you.
- If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately or call the National Poisons Information Center.
- Do not share this medicine with anyone else without your doctor's advice. It may be harmful to their health.
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