Many parents face an allergic reaction in a child. It can develop in response to inhalation of plant pollen, taking any medication, eating food, using a detergent, or for another reason. Antihistamines are most commonly used to combat swelling, rashes, coughs, sore throats, and other allergy symptoms. One of them is Loratadin. If it was assigned to a child, then parents should know how it affects the child's body and how it is taken correctly.
Release form
Loratadine is produced by many pharmaceutical companies and may have a prefix in its name indicating the manufacturer. For example, Loratadin Teva is produced by the Israeli company Teva, Loradatin-Akrihin is a product of the Russian chemical-pharmaceutical plant Akrihin, and Loratadin-Hemofarm is produced in Serbia by the Hemofarm concern. Moreover, all such drugs have the same active substance, the same indications, possible side effects and contraindications.
In pharmacies Loratadin is presented:
- Syrup. It is light yellow, sweet in taste, transparent thickish solution with a fruity odor. The volume of syrup in one bottle can be 50, 100 or 120 ml. A glass or measuring spoon is attached to the bottle to accurately measure such a sweet medicine in the dose prescribed by the doctor.
- Pills. These are usually small, round, white pills that are at risk. Most often they are available in packs of 10, but one box can contain from 7 to 90 tablets.
- Effervescent tablets. Loratadin-Hemofarm is produced in this form. These tablets are sold in plastic tubes of 10 pieces, and one box contains 1-2 tubes.
Composition
All forms of the drug contain the same active ingredient, which is also called loratadine. In 5 ml of syrup, it is presented in a dosage of 5 mg, and one tablet contains 10 mg. The content of loratadine in one effervescent tablet is also 10 mg.
The composition of the syrup, in addition to the active ingredient, includes citric acid, propylene glycol, water, flavor, ethanol, sodium benzoate, glycerin and other substances. Loratadin tablets additionally contain microcrystalline cellulose, calcium stearate, corn starch, lactose monohydrate and other components that provide such a drug in a solid form.
The auxiliary ingredients of the tablets from which the effervescent drink is made are lactose, citric acid, sodium carbonate and bicarbonate, as well as macrogol 6000, povidone, silicon dioxide (colloidal) and polysorbate 80. Thanks to such compounds, the drug keeps its shape while it is in the tube, but dissolves quickly in water.
Operating principle
Loratadine blocks H1 receptors that are sensitive to histamine, which prevents this biologically active compound and other substances from being released from mast cells. This action prevents the development of an allergic reaction or relieves allergy symptoms if they have already appeared. Taking Loratadine reduces the severity of itching, and also has an anti-exudative effect and reduces the permeability of small vessels, thereby reducing allergic edema. In addition, the drug has the ability to relax spasmodic smooth muscles.
The onset of the therapeutic effect of Loratadine can be noticed within half an hour after application. The maximum effect develops by 8-12 hours after administration and lasts up to 24 hours. Such a long-term effect on the body is associated with the formation of a substance called desloratadine in the process of metabolic changes in Loratadine, which also has antihistamine activity. In this case, the drug does not pass through the blood-brain barrier, therefore it is unable to depress the central nervous system and cause addiction.
Indications
Loratadine can be prescribed to a child:
- with allergic rhinitis;
- with hay fever;
- with Quincke's edema;
- with urticaria;
- with an allergic reaction to an insect bite;
- with skin inflammation, which is manifested by itching, as well as chickenpox;
- with acute conjunctivitis;
- with atopic dermatitis;
- with false allergic reactions.
In addition, the drug is often prescribed for adenoiditis, pharyngitis, nasopharyngitis and similar diseases in order to reduce the swelling of the mucous membrane.
From what age is it allowed to take?
Loradatin is not prescribed for children under 2 years of age. A child who is 2 years old can be given any of the medication options. At the same time, a liquid form (syrup) is more convenient for treating young children under 6 years of age, but if a younger child (at 4 or 5 years old) has no problems with swallowing a solid medicine, then a tablet preparation can also be given to him.
Contraindications
Loratadine should not be given not only at the age of less than 2 years, but also if any of the components of the selected form of the drug are intolerant. The drug has no other contraindications for children, and the drug is not prescribed for adults during lactation and during pregnancy.
Side effects
Taking Loratadine can cause decreased appetite, changes in stool, nervous agitation, dry mouth, nausea, drowsiness, sweating, urticaria, headaches and other negative symptoms. If they appear, the medicine is immediately canceled.
Instructions for use and dosage
The drug is given to children once a day, determining the dosage by the age of the little patient, as well as by his weight:
- If the child is under 6 years old or older, but weighs less than 30 kg, then a single dose of the drug is 5 mg. It is contained in 5 ml of syrup or half of Loratadine tablets. Effervescent tablets are not prescribed for children under six years of age and weighing less than 30 kg;
- If the weight of a small patient is over 30 kg and his age is 6 years or more, then a single dosage for him will be 10 mg of loratadine. The patient can get this dose from 2 scoops of syrup (10 ml), one tablet or one effervescent tablet.
To make a drink from an effervescent tablet, you need to throw it in 200 ml of water, and then drink the drug. It is not recommended to swallow, dissolve, or chew Loratadine in this form.
Overdose
If you give a child a drug in a higher dose than the doctor prescribed, it will lead to drowsiness and headaches, as well as tachycardia and motor neurological disorders. Noticing an overdose, you should immediately induce vomiting in the little patient and give the baby a sorbent. If the child's condition worsens, it is necessary to show him to the doctor.
Interaction with other drugs
Loratadine is compatible with many medicines, therefore it is often used in a complex of treatment for infectious diseases, elevated acetone and other problems in which it is necessary to prevent or eliminate an allergic reaction. In this case, the medicine should not be given together with rifampicin, barbiturates, erythromycin and some other drugs indicated in the annotation to the tablets or syrup.
Terms of sale
All forms of Loratadine are over-the-counter and are therefore readily available in pharmacies. The price of the drug depends on the manufacturer, and on the dosage form, and on the size of the package. For example, 10 Loratadin tablets cost about 13-15 rubles, and a bottle of Loratadin-Akrikhin syrup costs about 150 rubles.
Storage conditions
Keep any form of Loratadin at home at room temperature in a place hidden from small children, dry and out of reach of sunlight. The shelf life of the medication differs from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it should be clarified (the data is available on the box of the purchased product). Syrup is often stored for 3-4 years from the date of manufacture, and tablets - 3-5 years.
Reviews
In most cases, the parents are satisfied with the treatment of children with Loratadine and note its high efficiency in allergic reactions. Mothers most often choose syrup and praise this form for its pleasant taste and ease of use. The advantages of the medication in tablets include the small size, the need to take only once a day and the low cost.
Analogs
A complete replacement for Loratadine can be drugs that contain the same active ingredient, for example:
- Lomilan.
- LoraGEXAL.
- Claritin.
- Clarisens.
- Claridol.
- Erolyn.
- Klarotadin.
Many of these have a syrup or suspension form that is convenient for treatment in childhood. In addition, the doctor may prescribe other antihistamines. It can be Suprastin, Diazolin, Tavegil, Zyrtec, Erius, Fenistil drops or another drug with a similar effect, however, you should choose one of these drugs as an analogue of Loratadine with your doctor. Since all of these medicines include different active compounds, and some of them are not used at an early age, it is impossible to give any antihistamine medicine to a child without consulting a pediatrician.
Watch the program of children's doctor Komarovsky, from which you will find out what drugs against allergies in a child can be used.
