People suffering from allergies know that with exacerbation of this pathology one cannot do without antihistamines. There are a huge number of such medicines, the main thing is to make the right choice of a drug that will help relieve the symptoms of the disease. Allergists often prescribe time-tested long-acting drugs. Often, patients have questions: from what loratadine and similar drugs help, how do they act, and do side effects often occur when using them?
Material Content:
Composition and release forms
The active substance of the drug is a histamine H1 receptor blocker. It is part of the world's most famous antihistamines. A unique remedy is included in the list of vital medicines compiled by the Ministry of Health of our country.
All medicines containing the substance loratadine actively influence the release, movement, development and metabolism of mediators of allergic reactions, or histamines. These organic compounds, having an effect on the endings of the nerve fibers of the respiratory tract and lungs, skin, organs of vision, provoke the occurrence of unpleasant manifestations of the immunopathological process. Antihistamines can prevent or suppress symptoms of the disease.
The composition of loratadine tablets also includes auxiliary elements necessary for imparting mass and in order to preserve the active substances throughout the shelf life unchanged.
These include:
- milk sugar lactose is a carbohydrate found in milk. In the composition of medicines in tablet form, it acts as a filler, is useful for a person if he does not have lactase deficiency;
- octadecanoic acid - a substance of natural nature, in the human body is part of fats. In the manufacture of medicines used as a lubricating component, safe, not an allergen;
- microcrystalline cellulose - a compound belonging to the group of polysaccharides, is not absorbed in the digestive tract, removes toxins and toxins. In the composition of drugs, it is present as a filler and detoxifier, it is harmless;
- starch - the neutral element necessary for fastening the components of the tablet, is safe.
In the components of the syrup, in addition to the active substance, there are:
- sucrose - an element necessary to give a sweet taste to a drug for children, can trigger an allergic reaction;
- trihydric alcohol glycerin is a sweetish viscous liquid. Serves as a solvent for substances in suspension, has a laxative effect, in small doses it is harmless, however, with regular use it can cause impaired renal function;
- Apricot flavoring - a substance used to give a pleasant aroma to a medication that can provoke the occurrence of an additional allergic reaction;
- E 330 - a preservative that allows you to maintain the properties of the syrup for a long time, is non-toxic, but is able to negatively affect the condition of tooth enamel and the walls of the stomach;
- propylene glycol is a colorless organic substance, solvent and filler. A controversial component that can cause metabolic disorders.
Before taking Loratadin in one or another dosage form, you should consult an allergist. Since the syrup contains elements that can have a negative effect on the children's body, it is advisable to discuss with the doctor the possibility of replacing the drug with a similar one that does not contain flavorings and sweeteners.
Why loratadine is prescribed for adults and children
There are several indications for the use of this drug in adults and children.
It is used in the treatment of allergic conditions of various types and etiology:
- hay fever;
- itchy dermatitis;
- allergic eye inflammation;
- angioedema;
- intolerance to certain foods;
- scaly lichen and eczema (as part of therapy).
In the process of using an anti-allergic medicine, puffiness decreases, capillaropathy decreases, and moist skin areas are dried.
Instructions for use of tablets and syrup
Tablets are used in the treatment of immunoreactive nature in adults and children from twelve years of age once a day. The duration of the therapeutic course is determined by the allergist.
Children from two years old take 5 mg / ml of syrup once a day. The duration of the course is determined by the doctor, and he also makes a dosage adjustment, if necessary.
During pregnancy and lactation
Do not use loratadine in the treatment of pregnant and lactating women. However, if the predicted effect exceeds the risks, in the second half of the gestation period, it is permissible to use the medicine prescribed by the doctor to relieve the acute symptoms of rhinitis of pregnant women, skin reactions accompanied by intolerable itching. According to clinical studies, the drug does not have a teratogenic effect, but it can be observed if the recommended dosages are exceeded.
Drug interaction
Before using loratadine 10 mg tablets as part of a comprehensive treatment, it is important to consult an allergist, raising the question of the compatibility of the medicines used. So, antiepileptic drugs Diphenin and Phenytoin - psychotropic substances, derivatives of barbituric acid, can reduce the effectiveness of an antihistamine.
Contraindications, side effects and overdose
Loratadine is contraindicated if the patient has previously had a hypersensitivity reaction to the active substance or auxiliary elements of the composition of the drug. You can not use this medication in the treatment of lactating women, as it passes into breast milk. Lactase deficiency will also become an obstacle to the use of drugs.
During treatment with loratadine, the following side effects may occur:
- dry oral mucosa;
- failures in the work of the digestive tract;
- hearing loss;
- nausea;
- general weakness;
- headache;
- increased heart rate;
- decrease in blood pressure;
- paroxysmal involuntary muscle contraction;
- cough.
If the recommended dosages are exceeded, the appearance of migraine, palpitations, lethargy and drowsiness may occur.
Allergy drug analogues
Replace loratadine with analogues, histamine H1 receptor blocking drugs, after consulting with your doctor first.
In pharmacies, a wide selection of full substitutes is presented:
- Clarifer;
- Lomilan;
- Claritin;
- Clallergin;
- Alerpriv;
- Clarisens;
- Claridol
Russian-made drugs are usually more affordable and not inferior in effectiveness to foreign drugs, however, when they are taken, the appearance of undesirable side effects is more often recorded.
