Loratidine is a piperidine derivative related to azatadine..
It is a long-acting,non sedating tricyclic antihistamine with selective peripheral H1-receptor antagonist activity,with no significant sedative or anti-muscarinic activity.
Loratidine is rapidly absorbed from the G.I.T after administration.
Peak plasma concentrations are beign attained at about one hour.
Loratidine is 98% bound to plasma protein and undergoes extensive metabolism,maily to decarboethyloratidine,which has less ootent anti-histamine activity.
Loratidine has an half-life of 8.4 hours.
INDICATIONS
Loratidine is indicated for relief of symptoms with allergic rhinitis such as sneezing,nasal discharge (rhinorrhea) and itching, ocular itching and burning.
It is also indicated for relief of symptoms of chronic urticaria and other dermatological disorders.
CONTA-INDICATIONS
Loratidine is contra-indicated in :
-Bladder obstruction
-Protastic hypertrophy
-Urinary retention,
-glaucoma or sensitivity to loratidine.
USE IN PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
The safe use of loratidine in pregnancy has not been established because small amounts of it are excreted in breast milk and therefore,risk benefits should be considered due to increased risk of antihistamines in infants.
DOSAGE
Usual dose for adults and children weighing 30 and above is 10mg dly.
For children less than 30kg,a dose of 5mg dly is recommended.
DRUG INTERACTION
Increased plasma concentration has been reported when loratidine is used concomitantly with buscopan,erythromycin,ketokonazole and cimetidine.
