Claratin Consumer Information

DOSAGE: Adults and Children over 12 years: One tablet daily.

Children 2-12 years over 30kg: One tablet daily.

Children 2-12 years under 30kg: Half a tablet daily.

CAUTION: Do not exceed recommended dose. The safe use of loratadine tablets in children under l year of age or during pregnancy or lactation has not been established. If you have liver disease check with your doctor or pharmacist before commencing treatment.

Do not use if foil is broken. Remove tablet only for immediate use.

Store below 30C.

Claratin relieves symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (hayfever), such as sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and burning or itchy eyes. Claratin may also be used to relieve symptoms associated with a skin condition called urticaria; these symptoms include itching, redness and lumps on the skin called hives.

Claratin belongs to a class of medicines known as antihistamines. Antihistamines help reduce allergic symptoms by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body.

Your doctor or pharmacist, however, may prescribe Claratin for another purpose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why Claratin has been prescribed for you.

There is no evidence that Claratin is addictive.

You have an allergy to Claratin or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, difficulty  in breathing or faintness.

Do not use Claratin if you are pregnant or breast feeding unless you and your doctor or pharmacist have discussed the risks and benefits involved.

Do not use Claratin in children less than 2 years old.

Do not use Claratin after the expiry date printed on the pack.

Do not use Claratin if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Before you start to use it

You must tell your doctor or pharmacist .....

If you are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, dyes or preservatives

If you have liver disease or any other medical conditions. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

How to take Claratin

How much to take

Adults and children over 12 years: One Claratin tablet once daily.

Children 2-12 years of age: Over 30kg - 10mL of Claratin syrup or one Claratin tablet once daily.

Less than 30kg - 5mL of Claratin syrup or 1/2 Claratin tablet once daily.

Be sure to take Claratin exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you to. If you do not follow their instructions, you may not get relief from your symptoms.

Do not use in children under 2 years of age.

lf you forget to take it

If you miss a dose and remember in less than 12 hours, take it straight away, then continue as normal. Otherwise, skip that day's dose but be sure to take the next dose when it is due.

Do not try to make up for missed doses by taking more than one dose at a time.

While you are using Claratin

Things you must do

Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Claratin.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you become pregnant while you are taking Claratin.

Things you must not do

Do not give Claratin to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.

Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist says to.

Things to be careful of

Make sure you know how you react to Claratin before you drive a car or operate machinery. Claratin is unlikely to make you drowsy. If you are drowsy, do not drive a car or work with machinery.

Stop taking Claratin 48 hours before you have any skin tests. Antihistamines may interfere with the results of skin tests.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Claratin.

Claratin helps most people with allergies, but it may have unwanted effects in a few people.

Like other medicines, Claratin can cause some side effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.

In very rare instances, tiredness, headache, upset stomach or rash have been reported.

Other unwanted effects may also occur in some people taking Claratin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any tiredness, headache, upset stomach or rash while you are taking Claratin.

After using Claratin

Storage Keep it where children cannot reach it.

Store below 30C

Do not leave in the car on hot days

Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take your tablets out of the blister pack they will not keep well.

Disposal

If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking Claratin, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine left over.

Product description

Claratin tablets and syrup can be 'bought without a doctor's prescription.

What it looks like

Claratin tablets are small white tablets.

Ingredients

Claratin tablets contain loratadine 10mg, maize starch, magnesium stearate and lactose.