What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- abdominal pain
- abdominal pain (in children)
- diarrhea
- discoloration of urine
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- fatigue
- headache
- indigestion (in children)
- nausea
- nervousness (in children)
- vomiting (in children)
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Loratadine usually causes minimal drowsiness when used as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Studies have shown that loratadine does not cause drowsiness under normal circumstances. People taking higher-than-recommended doses of loratadine may experience drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you become drowsy while taking this medication.
Liver function: People with reduced liver function may need lower doses of this medication. If you have liver problems, let your doctor know.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into the breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking loratadine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children less than 2 years of age. The long-term safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children aged 2 to 12 years, so this medication should not be used for more than 14 days in this age group unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications, as well as any supplements that you are taking. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your doctor know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want to change your therapy or may suggest ways of managing any interactions.