Loratel 10mg Tablets

Loratadine is an antihistamine. It blocks histamine, the natural substance that causes allergy symptoms. It is used to relieve:

• sneezing, runny or itchy nose and itchy throat
• red, itchy or watery eyes
• itching and redness from hives
• reactions to insect bites and stings

Take it exactly as the label or your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually once a day.

• You can take it with or without food.
• For melt-in-the-mouth tablets, peel back the foil (do not push the tablet through), place it on your tongue and let it dissolve. You can swallow it with or without water.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due; then skip it. Never take two doses at once.

Common side effects include:

• headache
• drowsiness
• tiredness

Stop taking it and get medical help straight away if you have:

• swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat
• trouble breathing or swallowing
• a rash, hives or itching

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• are allergic to loratadine or any other medicine
• have kidney or liver disease
• are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
• have phenylketonuria (some chewable tablets contain aspartame)
• take any other medicines, vitamins or herbal products

Keep it in the original, tightly closed container at room temperature, away from light, heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of the reach of children.

Drowsiness: loratadine is less likely than older antihistamines to make you sleepy, but it can happen. If it does, do not drive or use machinery.

Combination products: some loratadine products also contain a decongestant (pseudoephedrine). Check the label and ask your pharmacist which product suits you.