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loratadine - oral, Claritin (cont.)

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking loratadine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history. Do not self-treat with this medication without consulting your doctor first if you have certain medical conditions such as: kidney disease, liver disease.Loratadine does not usually cause drowsiness when used at recommended doses. However, do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.If you have hives and your doctor has prescribed loratadine, or if you are considering using this drug to treat your own hives, tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these other symptoms because they may be signs of a more serious condition: hives that are an unusual color, hives that look bruised or blistered, hives that do not itch.The chewable tablets may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition that requires you to restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), consult your doctor or pharmacist about using this drug safely.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially drowsiness.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed and as directed by your doctor. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this drug.This medication passes into breast milk. However, it is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: If you are taking this medication under your doctor's direction, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain additional antihistamines that could increase your risk for side effects. Ask your pharmacist about using these products safely.If you are scheduled for allergy testing, ask your doctor if you should stop taking this medication for several days before testing. This drug may affect your allergy test results.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.



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