Loratadine is a drug used to treat allergies. It is marketed by Schering-Plough under several trade names such as Claritin®, Clarityn® or Claratyne® depending on the market, by Lek as Lomilan and by Wyeth as Alavert. It is also available as a generic. Its active metabolite, desloratadine, is also on the market, though loratadine itself is the only drug of its class available over the counter (at least in the U.S. and UK as of 2005; desloratadine is available off the shelf in Canada). Claritin-D is combined with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant; this makes it somewhat useful for colds as well as allergies, but adds a potential side-effect of insomnia.

Available forms

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Loratadine is available as tablets and oral suspension, and also in combination with pseudoephedrine. Also available are quick-dissolving tablets, which are advertised as being faster to get into one's system but which require special handling to avoid degrading in the package.

Mechanism of action

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Loratadine is a tricyclic antihistamine, which has a selective and peripheral H₁-antagonist action. It has a long-lasting effect and does not normally cause drowsiness because it does not readily enter the central nervous system.

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