Loratadine + Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride

Indications

Loratadine + Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride is used for: Allergic rhinitis, Nasal congestion

Adult Dose

Oral Allergic Rhinitis/Nasal Congestion Adult: (loratadine 5 mg and pseudoephedrine sulfate 120 mg): 1 tab twice daily. (Loratadine 10 mg and pseudoephedrine sulfate 240 mg): 1 tab once daily. Hepatic impairment: Severe: Initial dose of 1 tab (containing loratadine 5 mg and pseudoephedrine sulfate 120 mg) daily.

Child Dose

<12 years old Safety & efficacy not established

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Lactation. Narrow angle glaucoma, urinary retention, severe hypertension, severe coronary artery disease and hyperthyroidism. Patients on MAOI therapy or within 14 days of discontinuing MAOI.

Precautions

Glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, stenosing peptic ulcer and pyloroduodenal obstruction, prostatic hypertrophy, bladder neck obstruction, CV disease, DM, severe liver impairment. Not recommended for use in pregnancy. Elderly. Lactation: both drugs pass into breast milk, pseuoephedrine is concentrated in breast milk; use caution

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy Category: B Lactation: both drugs pass into breast milk, pseuoephedrine is concentrated in breast milk; use caution

Interactions

Loratadine: Increased loratadine levels with ritonavir, amprenavir; increased loratadine levels with erythromycin, cimetidine and ketoconazole without evidence of clinical significance or toxicity; may block effects of betahistine. Pseudoephedrine: Increased adverse effects (e.g. somnolence, agitation) with atomoxetine; increased BP or heart rate with sibutramine. Potentially Fatal: Pseudoephedrine: Increased risk of psychosis with bromocriptine; increased risk of fatal hypertensive crisis with MAOI, avoid concurrent use during and for 2 wk after stopping the MAOI; increased BP with linezolid and selegiline.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Loratadine + Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride : Insomnia, dry mouth, headache, nervousness, epistaxis, pharyngitis, dizziness, fatigue, tachycardia, postural hypotension, transient abnormal hepatic function, urinary retention, CNS stimulation, excitability.

Mechanism of Action

Loratadine is a long-acting, non-sedating antihistamine with little antimuscarinic activity. Pseudoephedrine, a vasoconstrictor, acts on the alpha-receptors and produces a decongestant effect by shrinking congested mucosa in the upper respiratory areas.