
Rinse your nasal passages. Use a specially designed squeeze bottle — such as the one included in saline kits — a bulb syringe or a neti pot to irrigate your nasal passages. This home remedy, called nasal lavage, can help keep your nose free of irritants. When used daily, this is one of the most effective treatments for nonallergic rhinitis.
Full Answer
Is loratadine safe for allergic rhinitis?
Though loratadine is a relatively safe and effective medication for treating allergic rhinitis, its primary adverse effects include headaches, dizziness, and GI distress (diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting). Loratadine may also cause sedation (rare side effect), mydriasis, and xerostomia due to the anticholinergic effects. [7][8]
How should I use loratadine?
Use loratadine exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cold or allergy medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old.
Is loratadine a histamine?
Medically reviewed by Sophia Entringer, PharmD Last updated on Jan 3, 2019. Loratadine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
What are the side effects of loratadine?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to loratadine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. feeling nervous or hyperactive. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Does loratadine help with rhinitis?
Over-the-counter oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy), fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy) and loratadine (Alavert, Claritin), typically don't work nearly as well for nonallergic rhinitis as they do for allergic rhinitis.
Which antihistamine is best for rhinitis?
At the present time, I feel that Zyrtec is the best antihistamine available in the U.S. for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Can I take loratadine for stuffy nose?
Loratadine and pseudoephedrine combination is used to relieve symptoms of allergies and cold, including runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and itching of the eyes, nose or throat. It also helps reduce swelling of the nasal passages and restores easier breathing through the nose.
How quickly does loratadine work?
Onset of action is within 1 hour and duration is at least 24 hours. Once-daily dosing is recommended. Generally, loratadine is as efficacious as existing antihistamines in relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and in suppressing wheal formation.
Is loratadine good for post nasal drip?
Home treatments for postnasal drip Newer, nondrowsy antihistamines like loratadine-pseudoephedrine (Claritin) can work to get rid of postnasal drip.
What are the signs of allergic rhinitis?
Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis are similar to a cold and include:sneezing.an itchy nose.a runny or blocked nose.itchy, red and watery eyes.a cough.the roof of your mouth being itchy.
How long can you take loratadine?
Call your doctor if you have this type of hives. Stop taking loratadine and call your doctor if your hives do not improve during the first 3 days of your treatment or if your hives last longer than 6 weeks.
Who should not take loratadine?
If you are using the tablets or capsules, do not use in children younger than 6 years unless directed by the doctor. If you are using the liquid or chewable tablets, do not use in children younger than 2 years unless directed by the doctor.
What is best loratadine or cetirizine?
Cetirizine hydrochloride is effective in treating hay fever. Our allergists often recommend medications with this active ingredient when symptoms include itching. Some individuals reported that medications with cetirizine hydrochloride work faster than those containing loratadine.
Can I take 2 loratadine a day?
Adults and children 6 years of age and older—One tablet or 10 milligrams (mg) once a day. Do not take more than one tablet per day.
What is the best time of day to take loratadine?
How to take loratadineTiming: Take loratadine once a day at the same time each day, either in the morning OR in the evening. ... Limit drinking alcohol while you are taking loratadine: It may increase your chance of side effects such as sleepiness.Missed dose: It is not harmful if you miss your loratadine dose.
What is the side effect of loratadine?
headache; feeling tired or drowsy; stomach pain, vomiting; dry mouth; or.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to loratadine or to desloratadine (Clarinex).Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you...
How Should I Take Loratadine?
Use loratadine exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recomm...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.Overdose symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, and fast or pou...
Loratadine Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose of Loratadine for Allergic Rhinitis:10 mg orally once a dayUsual Adult Dose for Urticaria:10 mg orally once a dayUsual Pediatric D...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Loratadine?
Other drugs may interact with loratadine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your h...
How to treat loratadine toxicity?
Treatment protocol for loratadine toxicity may involve providing supplemental oxygen and cardiac monitoring. Clinicians may give sodium bicarbonate to treat arrhythmias and prolonged QT intervals in patients with suspected toxicity. Alleviation of agitation can be with benzodiazepines due to their high therapeutic index. Adults with symptoms of anticholinergic poisoning due to loratadine toxicity may receive physostigmine antidote therapy (recommended dose is between 0.5 to 2 mg IV). The recommendation is that only a medical toxicologist should supervise antidote therapy.
How to administer loratadine?
Loratadine dosing is by tablet (chewable or disintegrating), capsule, or syrup (5 mg/mL solution). The medication can be administered orally with or without meals. The dispersible tablet is to be placed in the mouth and allowed to dissolve. The patient may swallow it with or without water.
Does loratadine cause dilated pupils?
Patients taking loratadine require monitoring regarding symptomatic relief, sedation, and any anticholinergic effects (such as dilated pupils and drying of oral mucosa).
Is loratadine a second generation antihistamine?
Loratadine is a medication used in the management and treatment of allergic rhinitis and urticaria. It is in the second generation antihistamine class. This activity reviews the indications, action, and contraindications for loratadine as a valuable agent in treating and managing allergic rhinitis and urticaria. This activity will highlight the mechanism of action, adverse effects, and other key factors such as dosing, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, monitoring, relevant interactions pertinent for members of the interprofessional team in the treatment and care of patients with allergic rhinitis and related conditions.
Is loratadine safe for urticaria?
Loratadine is proven to be an effective and safe medication for alleviating symptoms of allergic rhinitis and treating urticaria. The drug is available as an over-the-counter medication; thus, it is essential to have a pharmacist educate the patient on the therapeutic dose of the medicine. The primary care clinician (MD, DO, PA, NP) must counsel the patient on the importance of reading labels to avoid taking more than the recommended dose to prevent any drug-related toxicities. While loratadine is a relatively safe drug, healthcare providers should inform patients of all the side effects associated with the medication. Healthcare providers should also check liver and kidney function before prescribing the medication to individuals with hepatic and renal impairments. Nurses should take a complete mediation history from the patient at each visit, including OTC agents and supplements, and chart these so the clinician has all available information. Nursing can also reinforce counseling to the patient on proper dosing and administration of loratadine and watching for adverse effects and patient compliance. Pharmacists can reinforce dosing and administration parameters and check for drug-drug interactions. All members of the interprofessional team, as cited above, need to practice collaborative communication to ensure the best possible patient outcomes for loratadine therapy. [Level 5]
Can you take loratadine while pregnant?
Additionally, per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, self-medicating with loratadine in pregnant women is not advisable, specifically during the first trimester.
Does loratadine cause phenylalanine?
Patients diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU) should speak with their primary care physician before taking loratadine as some of its formulations ( e.g., orally disintegrating tablets) may contain phenylalanine which may exacerbate the symptoms of PKU.
How do you diagnose nonallergic rhinitis?
Your doctor will diagnose nonallergic rhinitis based on your symptoms and by ruling out other causes, especially allergies. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms.
How to get rid of a swollen nose?
Rinse your nasal passages. Use a specially designed squeeze bottle — such as the one included in saline kits — a bulb syringe or a neti pot to irrigate your nasal passages. This home remedy, called nasal lavage, can help keep your nose free of irritants. When used daily, this is one of the most effective treatments for nonallergic rhinitis.
What is the best nasal spray for allergies?
Corticosteroid nasal sprays. If your symptoms aren't easily controlled by decongestants or antihistamines, your doctor might suggest a nonprescription corticosteroid nasal spray, such as fluticasone (Flonase Allergy Relief) or triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24 Hour). Prescription nasal sprays also are available.
What are the side effects of corticosteroid?
Possible side effects include nasal dryness, nosebleeds, headaches and throat dryness.
What is the best way to clean your nose?
Saline nasal sprays. Use an over-the-counter nasal saline spray or homemade saltwater solution to flush the nose of irritants and help thin the mucus and soothe the membranes in your nose. Corticosteroid nasal sprays.
What are some examples of decongestants?
Available over-the-counter or by prescription, examples include pseudoephedrine-containing drugs (Sudafed 12 Hour) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, others). These medications help narrow the blood vessels, reducing congestion in the nose. Possible side effects include high blood pressure, heart pounding (palpitations) and restlessness.
Can you have a non-allergic test for rhinitis?
He or she might recommend certain tests, although there are no definite tests for nonallergic rhinitis. Your doctor is likely to decide that you have nonallergic rhinitis if you have nasal congestion, a runny nose or postnasal drip and tests for other conditions don't reveal an underlying cause such as allergies or a sinus problem.
How many ratings does Loratadine have?
Loratadine has an average rating of 5.4 out of 10 from a total of 68 ratings for the treatment of Allergic Rhinitis. 44% of those users who reviewed Loratadine reported a positive effect, while 46% reported a negative effect.
What are the side effects of Loradatine?
They only change was Loradatine after looking at reveiws I saw many people complaining about this drugs side effects. The side effects= 1) Insomnia 2)Depression 3) Panic attacks 4) Rapid Severe Heart Beat 5) Sweats 6) Virtigo 7) Bad Attitude and Thinking patterns Just the worst side effects I have ever had from any drug!!! I am now on the 18 June (3 days later) and I am still feeling weird and sleepy also finding it very hard to stay asleep for more than a few hours dry mouth ect. Stopped after 1 dose thank goodness for the internet or I wouldn't have known what was wrong with me and maybe carried on taking this DRUG”
How long does it take for claritin to kick in?
Claritin (loratadine): “It takes hours and hours to kick in. I even took 2 to speed up my relief and 3 hours later I'm still suffering. Zyrtec works within 30 min and lasts 24 hours. I will never take claritin again when I need immediate relief.”
Does loratadine cause eye blinking?
Children's Claritin Allergy (loratadine): “My five year old son took Claritin chewables for approximately two weeks and had a sudden onset of facial tics ( eye blinking). His doctor attributed it to the Claritin and said it was a known side effect, especially with family history of tics. ”
Does Claritin make you dizzy?
Claritin (loratadine): “This is the 2nd time in a month that I have suffered from dizziness and fatigue after taking Claritin. My blood pressure has dropped to 96/58 which is low even for me. I have always had lower than normal blood pressure. I last took Claritin on Thursday morning and this is Monday and can finally stand up without feeling dizzy.”
Does Claritin work for allergies?
Claritin 24 Hour Allergy (loratadine): “Clairitin is the only medicine that works for me. I have very high pollen counts in my area and have always suffered sinus infections. I started taking Claritin 24 about 10 days ago and I feel clear! Just bought a 30 day supply.”
What is occupational rhinitis?
Occupational rhinitis: Occurs in people who have exposures at work to things like wood dust, chemicals, or other airborne particles. Drug induced rhinitis: A side effect of certain medications, or as a rebound effect from using nasal decongestant sprays.
What is rhinitis?
Rhinitis is a swelling and inflammation inside of the nose, causing a runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. Rhinitis can be allergic or nonallergic.
What is the reaction of an allergen to an invader?
Allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune system treats a normally harmless substance as an invader. When an allergen is inhaled, allergy cells in the lining of the airway set off a series of signals that eventually lead to the release of a chemical called histamine.
What are the symptoms of rhinitis?
Amrita Khokhar. The classic symptoms of both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis include a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Sometimes, mucus runs down the back of the throat and causes coughing, known as “post-nasal drip.”. People who have allergies might also suffer from itchy, watery, and red eyes.
What is it called when you sneeze and you get hay fever?
Allergic rhinitis, also called “allergies” or “hay fever,” is an exaggerated response by the immune system to an otherwise harmless trigger, called an allergen. Sneezing while cleaning a dusty room or when outdoors in the spring are common examples of an allergic reaction.
How old do you have to be to get allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis can begin in children as young as just a few years old. Some signs and symptoms experienced by children include:
What can an allergist do for rhinitis?
If you suspect you have allergic rhinitis, an allergist can perform allergy testing to pinpoint your triggers. They can then suggest medications or other treatments that might be the most effective for your specific allergies.
How long does it take for corticosteroids to work on rhinitis?
They are the most effective medications for controlling all rhinitis symptoms. Their onset of action is from 3-12 hours. Their use on an as needed basis is not as effective as continual use1but may not be required continually in all patients. They are generally safe, and there is little evidence to support suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis with prolonged use. Side effects are generally mild (crusting, dryness, and minor epistaxis). They can be minimized by proper nasal spray technique. Septal perforation has only been described anecdotally.2For patients whose symptoms are not optimally controlled with intranasal steroids, adding an intranasal (but not oral) antihistamine may give some additional benefit.3
What are the symptoms of rhinitis?
Rhinitis is defined as the presence of at least one of the following: congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal itching, and nasal obstruction.1,2Other reported symptoms include throat clearing, headaches, facial pain, ear pain, itchy throat and palate, snoring, and sleep disturbances .3,4A system of rating symptom severity has been developed using a 7-point visual analog scale that includes elements of nasal symptoms, non-nasal symptoms, and the effects of medications. (See reference for copies of assessment forms).5Allergic rhinitis is present when these symptoms are triggered by an allergen. Perennial allergic rhinitis is most often attributed to dust mites, mold spores, and animal dander, whereas seasonal allergic rhinitis is attributed to a large variety of pollens that varies based on geographical region.2
How effective is slit?
A meta-analysis25done in January of 2010 reviewed the past 20 years of studies on SLIT. Nineteen studies were included with a total of 2,971 study subjects. SLIT was found to improve both symptom scores and medication use for allergic rhinitis. It appears that a minimal dose of 450 µg of antigen per treatment was necessary and that using higher doses produced to benefit. Upon subgroup analysis, SLIT was far less effective in children than adults. This conclusion may have been confounded by the fact that most of the pediatric studies used doses of less than 276 µg and the only pediatric study that showed statistically significant benefit used a dose of 600 µg. Along these lines, the meta-analysis showed that SLIT tablets were more effective than drops in reducing symptom scores with the caveat that this difference is mostly noticed in pediatric studies where drops administered a lower dose than tablets. Additionally, some of the pediatric studies included allergens other than grass. Other pertinent conclusions were: that SLIT was more effective when given for 12 months or less compared to over 1 year of use; SLIT was not more effective for rhinitis control in allergic asthmatics than in subjects without allergic asthma; and the more important that the length of treatment was the timing of beginning SLIT with initiation at least three months before grass season being optimal.
How common is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is very common condition throughout the world.6In the United States it affects between 10-30% of the adult general population and up to 40% of children. This accounts for 30-60 million people in the United States1and the prevalence has been increasing in recent decades,2making it the fifth most common chronic disease in the US.7Risk factors include an atopic family history, IgE levels above 100 IU/mL before the age of 6 years, higher socioeconomic status, and positive epicutaneous allergen testing.1However, 44-87% of people with rhinitis have mixed allergic and non-allergic rhinitis,1 and therefore all that sneezes is not necessarily purely allergic in etiology.
What are the effects of H1 antihistamines?
Unfortunately these agents cross the blood-brain barrier thus producing undesirable side effects such as central nervous system depression, sedation leading to impaired performance at home, work and school and cardiotoxicity. There are no long-term safety studies on the first generation antihistamines. These agents have poor H1receptor selectivity and act on muscarinic receptors causing anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation and tachycardia. The second-generation antihistamines developed in the early 1980's, have improved H1receptor selectivity, absent or decreased sedation, faster onset and longer duration of action and fewer adverse effects. Their half-lives are longer (12-24 hours) compared to the first generation (4-12 hours).14Of the second generation H1-antagonists, fexofenadine has no sedating effects even at higher than recommended doses. Loratadine and desloratadine are non-sedating at recommended doses but may cause sedation at higher doses. Cetirizine, and its purified enantiomer levocetirizine, have more sedation potential that other second generation H1-antagonists.15All rhinitis symptoms, except for obstruction, can be alleviated by H1-antihistamines, and there does not seem to be a superiority of any one of the second generation H1-antihistmines over another.
Does montelukast help with allergic rhinitis?
Leukotriene receptor antagonists have been shown to be effective controlling allergic rhinitis, and they are comparably effective with oral antihistamines.1After 2 weeks of therapy, montelukast progressively decreased symptoms scores, but still to a lesser degree than intranasal fluticasone.18For patients whose symptoms are not controlled with intranasal corticosteroids, adding montelukast did not offer any further benefit.19
Is olopatadine an H1 antagonist?
Topical H1-antihistamines (azelastine, olopatadine) provided faster onset of action (less than 15 minutes) and similar to greater efficacy compared to oral preparations in regard to rhinitis and conjunctivitis. There has even been an association with improvement of congestion. However, their results are limited to the local organ effects, and require twice daily use to maintain a sustained response; whereas second generation oral H1-antagonists can be taken on a daily basis. Some patients may complain of a bitter taste, and intranasal H1-antagonists are less effective than intranasal steroids.1,2In a direct comparison trial between azelastine nasal spray versus oral cetirizine, azelastine was found to have a significant improvement in nasal symptom scores for the specific symptoms of sneezing and nasal congestion over cetirizine.16
What is the best medication for rhinitis?
Medications that aid in the treatment of chronic non-allergic rhinitis include intranasal steroids like fluticasone, an intranasal antihistamine called azelastine, and an intranasal bronchodilator called Atrovent (ipratropium).
How to treat non allergic rhinitis?
Other things that may help you to cope with chronic non-allergic rhinitis may include using a cool-mist humidifier and drinking plenty of water to help thin your secretions. You can also try using an over-the-counter saline nasal spray, or try nasal irrigation using a neti pot, bulb syringe, or other devices. These are sold at most pharmacies.
Why is allergic rhinitis so common?
This may be because you have multiple allergies and the triggers are difficult to avoid because you do not respond well to treatment or other factors.
What causes rhinitis year round?
The most common culprits for year-round (perennial) chronic rhinitis are dust, mold, and pet dander. 2. Once your allergy triggers have been identified you should take measures to avoid them if possible. For example, if you are allergic to dust mites regular cleaning and reducing the humidity in your home may be helpful.
What is chronic rhinitis?
Updated on July 05, 2021. Chronic rhinitis is best described as a set of symptoms that persists for months or even years. These symptoms usually consist of a runny nose, an itchy nose, sneezing, congestion, or postnasal drip. Depending on the root cause of your rhinitis, it may be further classified as allergic or non-allergic.
Which antihistamines are less sedating?
Second-generation antihistamines such as loratadine, fexofenadine, and cetirizine tend to be less sedating than first-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine. It's a good idea to consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking an antihistamine. Make sure you inform them of any allergies you have as well as other medications you might be taking.
Can non-allergic rhinitis cause allergic reactions?
It's worth noting that even though people with non-allergic rhinitis have negative skin testing for allergies some studies show that up to half of people with the condition have localized allergic reactions (mainly in the nasal passageways). There are many other theories as to what causes this condition, many including abnormalities in the nervous system.

Diagnosis
Treatment
- Treatment of nonallergic rhinitis depends on how much it bothers you. For mild cases, home treatment and avoiding triggers might be enough. For more-bothersome symptoms, certain medications may provide relief, including: 1. Saline nasal sprays.Use an over-the-counter nasal saline spray or homemade saltwater solution to flush the nose of irritants a...
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Try these tips to help reduce discomfort and relieve the symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis: 1. Rinse your nasal passages. Use a specially designed squeeze bottle — such as the one included in saline kits — a bulb syringe or a neti pot to irrigate your nasal passages. This home remedy, called nasal lavage, can help keep your nose free of irritants. When used daily, this is one of the most e…
Alternative Medicine
- Some small studies have shown that repeated applications of capsaicin — the ingredient responsible for the heat in hot peppers — to the inside of the nose can ease nasal congestion. Larger studies are needed.