From the Guidelines
The recommended adult dose of loratadine is 10 mg once daily. This standard dosage is appropriate for adults and children 6 years and older. Loratadine can be taken with or without food, and it's best taken at the same time each day for consistent symptom relief. The medication typically starts working within 1-3 hours, with effects lasting for 24 hours, which is why once-daily dosing is sufficient. For adults with severe liver or kidney impairment, a reduced dosage of 10 mg every other day may be recommended. Loratadine works by blocking histamine receptors, preventing the allergic response without significantly crossing the blood-brain barrier, which results in less drowsiness compared to older antihistamines. Common side effects may include headache, dry mouth, and fatigue, though these are generally mild. If symptoms don't improve after 3 days of treatment, consulting a healthcare provider is advisable. According to the study 1, loratadine is one of the nonsedating H1 antihistamines that can be taken once daily, and it has been shown to be effective in treating allergic rhinitis. The study 1 also mentions that second-generation antihistamines, including loratadine, are preferred over first-generation antihistamines due to their reduced sedation and anticholinergic effects.
Some key points to consider when prescribing loratadine include:
- It is effective for treating allergic rhinitis and urticaria
- It has a rapid onset of action, typically within 1-3 hours
- It has a long duration of action, typically lasting 24 hours
- It is generally well-tolerated, with common side effects including headache, dry mouth, and fatigue
- It is available in a once-daily dosage form, making it convenient for patients to take.
Overall, loratadine is a safe and effective treatment option for adults with allergic rhinitis and urticaria, and the recommended adult dose is 10 mg once daily 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
DIRECTIONS •use only with enclosed dosing cup adults and children 6 years and over 2 teaspoonfuls (tsp) daily; do not take more than 2 teaspoonfuls (tsp) in 24 hours The recommended adult dose of Loratadine is 2 teaspoonfuls (tsp) daily, not to exceed 2 teaspoonfuls (tsp) in 24 hours 2.
From the Research
Loratadine Adult Dose
- The recommended adult dose of Loratadine is 10 mg once daily 3, 4, 5.
- This dose has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and in suppressing wheal formation 3, 4, 5.
- Loratadine has a long duration of action, with an onset of action within 1 hour and a duration of at least 24 hours 3.
- The pharmacokinetics of loratadine have been studied in healthy adult subjects, with a mean elimination half-life of 8.4 hours (range, 3-20 hours) for loratadine and 28 hours for its metabolite 6.
- Loratadine has been compared to other antihistamines, including cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, and levocetirizine, and has been shown to be effective in reducing histamine-induced skin reactions 7.
- The safety and efficacy of loratadine have been evaluated in several studies, with a low incidence of side effects, including sedation and dry mouth 3, 4, 5.