What is the recommended dose of Claritin (Loratadine) for adults?

Claritin (Loratadine) Dosing for Adults

The recommended dose of Claritin (loratadine) for adults is 10 mg once daily, which can be taken as either a single 10 mg tablet or 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) of the oral solution. 1

Standard Adult Dosing

• Adults and children 6 years and older should take 10 mg (2 teaspoonfuls) daily 1
• Do not exceed 10 mg in a 24-hour period 1
• The medication provides 24-hour symptom relief with once-daily dosing 2

Key Pharmacologic Properties

• Onset of action occurs within 1 hour, with duration of at least 24 hours, making once-daily dosing appropriate 2
• Peak plasma concentration is reached in 1-2 hours for loratadine, with its active metabolite (descarboethoxyloratadine) peaking at 3-4 hours 2
• The elimination half-life is approximately 10 hours for loratadine and 20 hours for its metabolite 2

Special Population Considerations

Hepatic or Renal Impairment

• Patients with liver or kidney disease should consult a physician before use, as dosage adjustments may be necessary 1

Safety Profile

• Loratadine is well-tolerated at the standard 10 mg daily dose, with commonly reported adverse events including somnolence, fatigue, and headache occurring at rates similar to placebo 3
• Sedation occurs significantly less frequently with loratadine compared to first-generation antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and clemastine 3
• No serious ventricular arrhythmias have been observed with loratadine, unlike some other second-generation antihistamines 3

Clinical Efficacy

• Loratadine 10 mg once daily is as effective as other antihistamines including cetirizine, terfenadine, and hydroxyzine for treating allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria 3
• The medication demonstrates faster onset of action compared to astemizole and longer duration compared to terfenadine 2