Loratadine

What is Loratadine?

Loratadine is a widely used antihistamine tablet that can treat a range of common allergies. It can also be used off-label to relieve the itchiness brought on by eczema. Off-label prescribing is when a clinician uses a medication outside of its normal licence, if they think it will be effective.^[1]
Eczema can have many causes, but the symptoms usually involve redness, irritation and inflammation. It can affect any part of the body, and often occurs on the backs or fronts of the knees, around the hands, cheek and scalp, and on the inside of your elbows.^[2]
While antihistamines can’t heal your skin, they can help ease itching if it is caused by an allergic reaction. Histamine, which is produced as an immune response to a perceived allergen, is a known cause of pruritus, another term for itchy skin.^[3]

How does Loratadine work?

Loratadine works by managing symptoms like itching, sneezing, and a runny nose that are brought on by allergies. It belongs to a class of medications called antihistamines.

If you have seasonal allergies, or you’re allergic to pet hair or dust, you’ll be familiar with how antihistamines work. When your body perceives something to be a threat, it releases a chemical called histamine to protect you. This is usually a helpful way of keeping foreign invaders from harming you, but in the case of allergies, it’s more like an overreaction. Your body instead releases histamine if it thinks pet hair, dust mites, sulphites, or other allergens will cause you harm.^[3] This overproduction of histamine causes the allergy symptoms you’ll recognise — sneezing, wheezing, a runny nose, and itching to name a few.

Eczema can have many different causes. Atopic eczema, one of the most common types, is caused by allergies, and so antihistamines like Loratadine can help relieve the itchiness it causes.

What doses of Loratadine are there?

Loratadine is available as 10mg tablets and 5mg/ 5ml syrup. You shouldn’t take more than one tablet each day or two spoonfuls of syrup (10ml) on alternate days.

Antihistamines are usually used as an add-on treatment for eczema. Loratadine is considered a non-drowsy antihistamine, so taking it any time of day shouldn’t affect anything you’re doing during the day.

If the itching caused by your eczema is keeping you up during the night, you might be prescribed a sedating antihistamine, such as chlorphenamine, which can help you sleep better.^[4]

How to take Loratadine

Loratadine can be taken at any time of the day. Swallow your tablet with a glass of water, with or without a meal.

Taking your medication at the same time each day can help you get in a routine, and means you’re less likely to miss a dose. Try setting an alarm each day, or leave your tablets somewhere you’re guaranteed to see them, like your bathroom.

How long does it take Loratadine to work?

Loratadine will start to work within an hour, which means it can relieve your itchy skin soon after you’ve taken it. However, the effects of each tablet last for 24 hours. Taking them in a regular routine, such as first thing in the morning, means you can get ahead of itchiness that might occur throughout the day.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Loratadine?

You only need to take one Loratadine tablet a day, so you shouldn’t make any mistakes while using it. Taking more than one tablet each day can cause unpleasant side effects, and doubling your dose won’t make the medication work better, so should be avoided.

If you forget to take your tablet at the usual time, you can take it as soon as you remember provided it isn’t too close to your next dose. In that case, just skip the missed tablet and carry on with your usual dosage routine.