The signs of a loratadine overdose include rapid, unusually strong heartbeat; headaches; and drowsiness. A patient may also notice muscle contractions or uncharacteristic body motion. All of these symptoms should receive emergency medical attention.
Other potential serious side effects of taking the drug that may accompany a loratadine overdose include seizures, a yellowing of the skin and eyes that signal jaundice, and feeling faint. These effects are serious and should receive immediate medical attention. Other less serious side effects include a headache, rash, or nosebleed. Some patients have also reported feeling unusually tired, sleepy, or nervous. There have also been reports of diarrhea, stomachache, and blurred vision.
In order to avoid a loratadine overdose, it is important to take the drug exactly as prescribed. It is typically taken once daily in liquid, pill, or disintegrating pill form. If a patient misses a dose, it should not be taken if it is almost time to take the next dose.
It is important to ingest the pills properly as improper handling can change the effect of the drug. The regular pills should be taken whole and not crushed, chewed, or otherwise broken down. Special care should also be taken with the disintegrating pill in order to avoid a loratadine overdose by ingesting the medication too quickly. The foil must be peeled back from the blister pack to release the pill, as pushing it through can break down the tablet. The disintegrating pill version of the drug should not be swallowed, but allowed to dissolve on the patient’s tongue.
As an unintended loratadine overdose may be more difficult to avoid with the liquid form of the drug, it is important to measure each dose carefully. The medication will usually come with a specific spoon or cup that holds the exact dosage. It is important not to use other implements to measure the medication.
There are some conditions which can increase the risk of taking loratadine. The medication may be problematic for patients with kidney or liver disease. People who are allergic to desloratadine, the active ingredient in Clarinex®, are also typically advised not to take the drug. Though there is a child formula, doctors also usually recommend that children under six do not take this medication.
Loratadine is an antihistamine medication that is prescribed to ward off environmental allergies. The drug works by reducing the natural production of histamine, which causes most allergy symptoms. Loratadine specifically targets problems such as skin rash and hives; watery, itchy eyes; and sneezing. It is marketed under the brand name Claritin®.
