When you get in contact with anything that your body recognizes as unknown, the immune system releases a substance called histamine. Histamine is responsible for making you sneeze, getting your eyes, throat and nose itchy and watery, and causing your skin to be itchy. Loratadine is an antihistamine drug used to help treat or minimize those symptoms, but how much is safe to take?

How Much Loratadine Is Safe to Take?

The safe amount of this drug will depend on the condition for which you want to use it, and your age. In general terms, you should not take more than 10 milligram per day; this is the quantity that comes in one tablet or one tablespoon of pediatric syrup.

What Happens If I Overdose?

How much loratadine is safe to take and what happens if you overdose? The reactions of an overdose may vary from person to person, but can include: feeling light-headed, difficult breathing, strong headache, stomach pain, nervousness and heart palpitations. If any of this happens, seek medical attention immediately.

Precautions of Taking Loratadine

Before taking loratadine, you should consider some factors that can affect the drug absorption as well as your reaction to it. If you have any condition that is listed below, you need to consult a doctor.

• You are pregnant, or you are breast-feeding.
• You have liver or kidney problems.
• You are using other drugs, whether prescribed or not. These include natural medicines or herbal teas as well.
• You have allergies to other drugs or to any other antihistamines.

What to Do If You Miss One Dose?

How much loratadine is safe to take? Now you know the answer, but what if you miss one dose? If you miss one dose, take it as soon as you remember if 12 hours have not yet passed, or wait till your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for the missed one.

Loratadine Side Effects

Loratadine side effects can vary depending on your age; however the most common ones are:

• For children ≥12 years of age and adults: somnolence, headache, dry mouth and fatigue
• For children 6 to 12 years of age: wheezing, conjunctivitis, fatigue, abdominal pain, and nervousness
• For children 2 to 5 years of age: nose bleeding, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, earache, fatigue, and skin rash

It is important to highlight that side effects are not the same as adverse effects. You can anticipate the existence of side effects with any drug. In the case of adverse effects, the body's reaction to the drug is not something very common or expected, and can lead to serious health risks. 

How Should You Take Loratadine?

How much loratadine is safe to take? You already know the answer, and then how should you take it?

• Loratadine must be taken as prescribed in the product label or by your doctor. Usually a single dose once a day is enough. Do not take more of the indicated dosage or for more times than prescribed.
• Under no circumstances should you give loratadine or any cold or cough syrup to a child under 2 years of age, unless strictly prescribed by a doctor. Failing to do so can lead to serious health issues and even death of the infant.
• The regular oral tablet must be consumed entirely, without breaking or chewing it. For the one with liquid presentation, you must carefully measure the dosage with a syringe or a special medicine cup. With a chewable tablet, you need to chew very well before swallowing it and do not take the tablet as a whole. In the case of the disintegrating tablet (Alavert, Claritin RediTab) you need to handle the tablet with precaution to avoid breaking it or getting it wet. Peel back the foil of the package instead of pushing the tablet through it, keep your hands dry, and allow the tablet to slowly disintegrate in your mouth.
• Always keep the drug package in a dry place and away from heat.
• Call your doctor if the symptoms persist or get worse after having correctly taken the drug.