Claritin (Loratadine) Dosage for an 11-Year-Old Male
For an 11-year-old male, the recommended dose of Claritin (loratadine) is 10 mg (2 teaspoonfuls or one 10 mg tablet) once daily, not to exceed this dose in 24 hours. 1
Standard Pediatric Dosing
- Children 6 years and older (which includes your 11-year-old patient) should receive 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mg) daily according to FDA labeling 1
- Do not exceed 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mg) in 24 hours 1
- This once-daily dosing provides 24-hour symptom relief with onset of action within 1 hour 2
Clinical Efficacy in This Age Group
- Loratadine 10 mg once daily has been specifically studied and proven effective in children aged 3-12 years with allergic rhinitis, demonstrating significant improvement in total symptom scores compared to placebo 3
- The medication effectively reduces sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and ocular symptoms in pediatric patients 3
Key Advantages for Pediatric Use
- Non-sedating profile: Loratadine causes significantly less sedation than older antihistamines like chlorpheniramine, clemastine, and azatadine, making it ideal for school-age children 4, 5
- Once-daily dosing: Improves compliance in children compared to multiple daily doses 5
- Fast onset: Symptom relief begins within 1 hour with duration lasting at least 24 hours 2
Safety Considerations
- No serious adverse events have been reported in pediatric studies at the 10 mg daily dose 3
- Common side effects (somnolence, fatigue, headache) occur at rates similar to placebo 4
- No cardiac arrhythmias have been observed with loratadine, unlike some other second-generation antihistamines 4
Special Populations
- Patients with liver or kidney disease: Consult a physician before dosing, as dose adjustment may be necessary 1