loratadine/pseudoephedrine sustained-release – oral, Claritin-D

Medication Uses How To Use Side Effects Precautions Drug Interactions Overdose Notes Missed Dose Storage USES: Loratadine is an antihistamine that relieves seasonal allergy symptoms such as watery and itching eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that helps relieve a stuffy nose, promotes sinus draining, and improves breathing. This medication is not recommended for children under 12 years old due to the high amount of pseudoephedrine. HOW TO USE: Take this medication orally as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily (every 12 hours) with a full glass of water. Do not crush or chew this medication, as it can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist instructs you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than directed. Avoid taking this medication for several days before allergy testing, as it can affect the test results. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. SIDE EFFECTS: Dry mouth, mild stomach upset, trouble sleeping, dizziness, headache, nervousness, loss of appetite, or thirst may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that the benefit outweighs the risk of side effects for most people. Serious side effects are rare, but seek immediate medical attention if you experience fast/irregular heartbeat, uncontrolled shaking or tremor, seizures, mental/mood changes, or difficulty urinating. This medication may cause drowsiness or dizziness, so use caution when engaging in activities that require alertness. If you experience a serious allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more information. PRECAUTIONS: Before taking loratadine with pseudoephedrine, inform your doctor or pharmacist about any allergies you have or if you are allergic to desloratadine. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Discuss with your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have glaucoma, severe difficulty urinating, severe high blood pressure, severe heart/blood vessel disease, liver disease, or experienced serious side effects with decongestants. Inform your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially if you have kidney disease, problems urinating, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, thyroid problems, or glaucoma. Limit alcoholic beverages, as they may intensify drug side effects. Older adults may experience increased sensitivity to the side effects of this drug. This medication should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed. It passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors with this medication, as it may cause a serious drug interaction. MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Inform your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially adrenalin-like drugs, certain high blood pressure drugs, or herbal products containing ephedra. Check the labels on all your medicines, as they may contain additional decongestants that could increase your risk for side effects. Do not use medications containing desloratadine while using loratadine. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, so inform laboratory personnel and your doctors about your use of this drug.

QUESTION

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include irregular or unusually slow/fast heartbeat, unusual nervousness or excitement, and seizures. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product. Information last revised March 2014. Copyright(c) 2014 First Databank, Inc.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. It is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, or to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.