What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Chemists' Own Loratadine.
It does not contain all of the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor or pharmacist has weighed the risks of you taking Chemists' Own Loratadine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Chemists' Own Loratadine is used for
Chemists' Own Loratadine relieves symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (including hayfever), such as sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and burning or itchy eyes.
Chemists' Own Loratadine may also be used to relieve symptoms associated with a skin condition called chronic urticaria (also called hives); these symptoms include itching, redness and lumps on the skin.
Chemists' Own Loratadine can be used in adults and children 12 years and over.
Chemists' Own Loratadine belongs to a class of medicines known as antihistamines.
Antihistamines help reduce allergic symptoms by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine.
Histamine is produced by the body in response to foreign substances which the body is allergic to.
Your doctor or pharmacist, however, may prescribe Chemists' Own Loratadine for another purpose.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why Chemists' Own Loratadine has been prescribed for you.
There is no evidence that Chemists' Own Loratadine is addictive.
Before you take Chemists' Own Loratadine
When you must not take it
Do not take Chemists' Own Loratadine if:
- you have an allergy to loratadine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- you have allergy to desloratadine.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, difficulty in breathing or faintness.
Do not take Chemists' Own Loratadine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless you and your doctor or pharmacist have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
Do not give Chemists' Own Loratadine to children less than 12 years old.
Do not take Chemists' Own Loratadine after the expiry date printed on the pack.
Do not take Chemists' Own Loratadine if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Before you start to take it
You must tell your doctor or pharmacist:
- if you are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, dyes or preservatives
- if you have liver disease or any other medical conditions.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
How to take Chemists' Own Loratadine
How much to take
Adults and children 12 years and over: One Chemists' Own Loratadine tablet once daily.
It does not matter if you take Chemists' Own Loratadine before or after food.
If you do not follow the directions for use, you may not get relief from your symptoms.
How to take Chemists' Own Loratadine
Take it with a glass of water.
Chemists' Own Loratadine can be stopped when you obtain relief from your symptoms, and restarted if symptoms recur.
If you take too much Chemists' Own Loratadine (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor, pharmacist or Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) for advice, or go to the Accident and Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Chemists' Own Loratadine. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
While you are taking Chemists' Own Loratadine
Things you must do
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Chemists' Own Loratadine.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you become pregnant while you are taking Chemists' Own Loratadine.
Things you must not do
Do not give Chemists' Own Loratadine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist says to.
Things to be careful of
Make sure you know how you react to Chemists' Own Loratadine before you drive a car or operate machinery.
Chemists' Own Loratadine is unlikely to make you drowsy. If you are drowsy, do not drive a car or work with machinery.
Stop taking Chemists' Own Loratadine 48 hours before you have any skin tests. Antihistamines may interfere with the results of skin tests.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Chemists' Own Loratadine. Chemists' Own Loratadine helps most people with allergies, but it may have unwanted effects in a few people.
Like other medicines, Chemists' Own Loratadine can cause some side effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary.
However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.
The most commonly reported unwanted events were:
- headache
- sleepiness
- fatigue
- dry mouth
Rare instances of hair loss were also reported.
Other unwanted effects may occur in some people taking Chemists' Own Loratadine.
After using Chemists' Own Loratadine
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack in a dry place until it is time to take them. If you take your tablets out, they will not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days or on window sills.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
Disposal
If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking Chemists' Own Loratadine or the medicine has passed the expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product description
Chemists' Own Loratadine can be bought without a doctor's prescription.
What it looks like
Chemists' Own Loratadine are white to off white normal convex tablets, with a score on one side.
Each blister pack contains 10, 30 or 50 tablets.
Ingredients
Chemists' Own Loratadine tablets contain:
- loratadine 10 mg
- starch - pregelatinised maize
- sodium starch glycolate
- magnesium stearate
- lactose
They do not contain sucrose or gluten.
Sponsor
Chemists' Own Pty Ltd
(A member of Sigma Group of Companies)
(ACN 000 585 197)
96 Merrindale Drive,
Croydon, Victoria 3136
Australia
Australian registration number
AUST R 127572
Date of preparation
February 2006.
Last updated in May 2006.
Published by MIMS October 2006