loratadine Nursing Considerations & Management

Drug Name

Generic Name :  loratadine

Brand Name: Alavert, Alavert Childrens, Claritin, Claritin Hives Relief, Claritin Reditabs, Claritin 24-Hour Allergy, Dimetapp Children’s ND Non-Drowsy Allergy, Tavist ND, Triaminic Allerchews

Classification: Antihistamine (nonsedating type)

Pregnancy Category B 

Dosage & Route

Available forms : Tablets—10 mg; syrup—5 mg/5 mL; rapidly disintegrating tablets (Reditabs)—10 mg; orally disintegrating tablets—10 mg

Dosages : Place rapid dissolving tablets on tongue. Swallow with or without water.

ADULTS AND PATIENTS > 6 YR
  • 10 mg daily PO on an empty stomach.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS 2–5 YR
  • 5 mg PO daily (syrup).
GERIATRIC PATIENTS OR PATIENTS WITH RENAL OR HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT
  • 10 mg PO every other day.
Therapeutic actions
  • Loratadine is a non-sedating antihistamine. It works by selectively binding to peripheral histamine H1 -receptors on effector cells.
Indications
  • Symptomatic relief of perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and mild, uncomplicated urticaria and angioedema
  • Treatment of rhinitis and chronic urticaria in children > 2 yr
Adverse effects
  • Fatigue, giddiness, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, somnolence.
Contraindications
  • Pregnancy, lactation, children <2 yr.
Nursing considerations
Assessment
  • History: Allergy to any antihistamines; narrow-angle glaucoma, stenosing peptic ulcer, symptomatic prostatic hypertrophy, asthma, bladder neck obstruction, pyloroduodenal obstruction; lactation, pregnancy
  • Physical: Skin color, lesions, texture; orientation, reflexes, affect; vision examinations; R, adventitious sounds; prostate palpation; serum transaminase levels
Interventions
  • Administer without regard to meals.
Teaching points
  • If using rapid or orally dissolving tablets, place on tongue, tablet will dissolve within seconds, swallow with or without water.
  • Avoid the use of alcohol; serious sedation could occur.
  • You may experienc these side effects: Dizziness, sedation, drowsiness (use caution if driving or performing tasks that require alertness); headache; thickening of bronchial secretions, dryness of nasal mucosa (use a humidifier).
  • Report difficulty breathing, hallucinations, tremors, loss of coordination, irregular heartbeat.