Loratadine, sold under the brand name Claritin among others, is a medication used to treat allergies. This includes allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and hives. It is also available in drug combinations such as loratadine/pseudoephedrine, in which it is combined with pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant. It is taken orally.[3]
Common side effects include sleepiness, dry mouth, and headache.[3] Serious side effects are rare and include allergic reactions, seizures, and liver problems. Use during pregnancy appears to be safe but has not been well studied.[4] It is not recommended in children less than two years old.[5] It is in the second-generation antihistamine family of medications.[3]