How And When To Take Loratadine

If you or your child have been prescribed loratadine, follow your doctor's instructions about how and when to take it.

If you've bought it from a pharmacy or shop, follow the instructions that come with the packet.

Dosage and strength

Loratadine comes in 10mg tablets and as a liquid medicine (labelled either 5mg/5ml or 1mg/1ml).

The usual dose in adults is 10mg, taken once a day.

Doses are usually lower for people with liver problems and may be taken every other day.

For children, your doctor will use your child's weight or age to work out the right dose. Children aged between 6 and 12 years can only take loratadine tablets if they weigh more than 30kg. Give children loratadine liquid instead of tablets if they are under 6 years or weigh 30kg or less.

How to take it

Swallow tablets with a drink of water, milk or juice. If the tablet has a line across the middle, you can break it in half if you find it hard to swallow it whole. Do not chew it.

Loratadine liquid may be easier for children to take than tablets. The liquid medicine will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

You can take all types of loratadine with or without food.

How long to take it for

How long you'll take loratadine depends on why you're taking it.

You may only need to take loratadine for a short time or as a one-off dose. If you have a reaction to an insect bite, you may only need to take loratadine for a day or two.

You may need to take it for longer if you're taking it to prevent hay fever symptoms when the pollen count is high.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're not sure how long you need to take loratadine for.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose of loratadine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

Loratadine is generally very safe. If you or your child take too much, it is unlikely to harm you.

Contact 111 for advice now if:

You or your child takes more than the recommended dose of loratadine and:

gets a headache, has a fast heartbeat or feels sleepy
you're concerned
your child is under 5 years old, even if they have no symptoms

Call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Call 111 if you're asking about a child under the age of 5 years.

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you, or call for an ambulance.

Take the loratadine packet with you, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine and any other medicines you take.

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