How many times a day can you take Claritin (Loratadine)?

How many times a day can you take Claritin (Loratadine)?

You can take a 10 mg dose of Claritin (Loratadine) once a day. This is considered the maximum daily dose of Claritin in most cases. However, a higher dose can be prescribed in certain conditions. 

If you’re taking 5 mg of Claritin, you can take it twice a day to make a total of 10 mg. Going higher than that is not recommended and if your condition demands it, your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate dose according to your condition. 

What are the side effects associated with Claritin overdose? 

Taking a higher amount of Claritin (Loratadine) can cause a number of disturbing side effects. The severity of these side effects depends on the exact dose of Claritin you have taken. The common ones include (1):

  • Dry mouth 
  • Headache 
  • Dizziness 
  • Lightheadedness 
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 
  • Sore throat 
  • Nose bleeds 
  • Mouth sores 
  • Abdominal pain 
  • Nervousness 
  • Weakness 

Make sure you do not exceed the normal dose or overdose on Claritin. 10 mg is the maximum daily dose for adults. However, in the case of children younger than 6 years of age, the daily dose should not exceed 5 mg. 

What to do if you have accidentally taken a higher dose of Claritin?

If you have accidentally taken a higher amount of Claritin, immediately seek medical attention. It is important to inform the healthcare givers of the exact dose of Claritin you have taken and when. This information can help them determine the suitable treatment strategy to help your symptoms. 

Taking an extra standard therapeutic dose is not commonly associated with terrible side effects. However, people are different and they can respond differently to medications. This is why it’s best to stick to the recommended doses.

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References

1.-

MedlinePlus. Loratadine. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Nov 25]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697038.html