Name Loratadine + Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
Classes Respiratory Agent
Antiallergic Agent
Antihistamine Combination
Diseases Allergic Reaction
Cold
Hive
Itching
Skin Rash
Sneezing
Watery Eye

Loratadine + Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride

Loratadine is an anti-allergic histamine H1-receptor antagonist that is non-sedative. Loratadine is a long-acting tricyclic antihistamine with selective peripheral H1-receptor antagonistic activity but no sedative or anticholinergic effects.

Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine that acts as a decongestant on the nasal mucosa when taken orally. This is known to be an excellent treatment for nasal congestion caused by allergic rhinitis. It works as a nasal and bronchial decongestant.

  • Loratadine + pseudoephedrine sulfate extended release tablets should be administered when both the antihistaminic properties of loratadine and the nasal decongestant activity of pseudoephedrine are desired.
  • Loratadine + pseudoephedrine sulfate extended release tablets are indicated for the relief of symptoms of-

Adults and Children 12 Years of Age and Over: 

  • 12 Hour Tablet: One tablet twice a day (every 12 hours)
  • 24 Hour Tablet: One tablet daily taken with a full glass of water.
  • Because the doses of this fixed combination product cannot be individually titrated and hepatic insufficiency results in a reduced clearance of loratadine to a much greater extent than pseudoephedrine, loratadine; pseudoephedrine sulfate extended release tablets should generally be avoided in patients with hepatic insufficiency. Patients with renal insufficiency (GFR <30 ml/min) should be given a lower initial dose (one 12 hour tablet per day, or one 24 hour tablet every other day) because they have reduced clearance of loratadine and pseudoephedrine. Patients who have a history of difficulty in swallowing tablets or who have known upper gastrointestinal narrowing or abnormal esophageal peristalsis should not use the 24 hour tablet.

Commonly reported side effects of Loratadine + pseudoephedrine sulfate include-

  • Headache
  • Somnolence
  • Fatigue/ Asthenia
  • Dry mouth
  • Nervousness
  • Dyspepsia
  • Nausea
  • In individuals with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, elevated intraocular pressure, hyperthyroidism, renal impairment, or prostatic hypertrophy, loratadine + pseudoephedrine sulfate extended release tablets should be taken with caution. Sympathomimetic amines can cause central nervous system excitement and convulsions, as well as cardiovascular collapse and hypotension.
  • Patients aged 60 and up: In placebo-controlled clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of loratadine + pseudoephedrine sulfate extended release tablets in patients over 60 years old have not been examined. Sympathomimetic amines are more prone to cause unpleasant responses in the elderly.

Contraindication

  • Patients who are hypersensitive to this drug or any of its constituents should not take loratadine + pseudoephedrine sulfate extended release tablets.
  • Contraindicated in patients receiving monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor therapy or within fourteen (14) days of stopping such treatment.
 

There is no known contraindications of Loratadine + pseudoephedrine sulfate in terms of food and drinks.

Patients with narrow-angle glaucoma or urinary retention should avoid this medicine because it contains pseudoephedrine.