Claritin (active ingredient - loratadine) refers to the second generation antihistamines, a class of drugs that block the release of histamine and suppress the symptoms of an allergic reaction Allergic reactions: how to understand why you tickle in the throat .

Claritin is recommended for the treatment and suppression of symptoms of seasonal allergic diseases - including the common cold, cough, watery eyes. Furthermore, Claritin helps alleviate the symptoms of allergic skin reactions, including pruritus, redness of the skin rash. Typically, Claritin starts to operate within two hours after administration. Effect of the drug lasts for twenty-four hours.

Dosages and indications for use

Claritin tablets: For adults and children aged twelve years and older the recommended dose of Claritin is ten milligrams once a day, with meals or alone. Rapidly soluble tablets Claritin should be taken on an empty stomach. Record tablets with water or other liquids are not necessarily - lozenges quickly melt on the tongue.

Claritin in syrup form: liquid form klaritin Claritin - histamine receptor blocker   It designed for children aged two years and older. The recommended dose of syrup for children over the age of ten years (body weight of more than thirty kilograms) and adults is ten milliliters (ten milligrams) per day. The recommended dose for children aged from two to nine years (body weight which is thirty kilograms or less) - Five milliliters (five milligrams) per day. Children from two to twelve years of age should not take Claritin for more than fourteen days.

It is important to take Claritin in strict accordance with the instructions of the doctor or the manufacturer of the drug. Do not take more than one dose a day - even if the daily dose of Claritin for some reason skipped. Claritin must store at room temperature away from light and moisture.

Possible side effects

As a second-generation antihistamine, Claritin very rarely causes serious side effects. In most cases, side effects are minor and short-lived Claritin. Among them:

• diarrhea
• lethargy, drowsiness
• dry mouth
• feeling tired
• headache
• heartburn
• nausea, vomiting
• nervousness, hyperactivity (especially in children)

Immediately stop taking Claritin and seek medical care when you need the following symptoms:

• palpitations, irregular heartbeat
• seizures
• stomach upset
• symptoms of a severe allergic reaction - difficulty breathing, skin rash, facial swelling
• signs of liver dysfunction - change the color of urine is dark yellow or reddish, diarrhea Diarrhea (diarrhea) - a familiar nuisance Loss of appetite, vomiting, intense itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes

Histamine was first discovered in 1910, and by the early twenties, was recognized as an important pathogenic mediator of allergic diseases. In 1937 he was released the first drug-histamine receptor antagonist, and in the period from 1942 to 1981, the market appeared more than forty different drugs that block histamine receptors. Today, all antihistamines are divided into three main groups.

First generation antihistamines - including diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, hydroxyzine and triprolidine - being quite effective, differ, however, a number of side effects. In particular, the first-generation antihistamines have a sedating effect, causing a deterioration of cognitive functions. Antihistamines of the second generation, also known as non-sedating antihistamines - e.g., astemizole, terfenadine, loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine - have been developed in the eighties in order to minimize these side effects. The release of some drugs was subsequently terminated - for example, disappeared from the sale of terfenadine and astemizole, causes a disturbance of the cardiovascular system. The latest drug, a third-generation antihistamine, is by far the desloratadine, the active metabolite of loratadine.

Antihistamines are used to treat a variety of allergic diseases - including seasonal or chronic allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria (hives). The most popular today are considered the second generation antihistamines - loratadine, and fexofenadine.

Pharmacology

Antihistamines - antimetabolites (competitive antagonists) H1-histamine receptors, which, however, do not prevent the release of histamine completely. H1-receptors shielding leads to a reduction in vascular permeability, reduction of pruritus, relaxation of airway smooth muscle and gastrointestinal tract. Due to such effects of antihistamines are effective in alleviating the symptoms of the major allergic diseases, particularly at an early stage - runny nose, itching, sneezing. However, in the later stages of an allergic disease antihistamines less effective.

Antihistamines are the second and third generations of different minimum possible side effects and increased efficiency. Such drugs effectively inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells. Studies show that a third-generation drug, desloratadine, is different particularly effective antiallergic, antipruritic and protivoekssudativnoe action.

Antihistamines are the first generation

In the first generation antihistamines, which went on sale the first few decades ago, there are some significant drawbacks - short-term effects of these drugs, they have a pronounced sedative effect, making it difficult to focus and causing drowsiness. Sedation these drugs is due to the principle of action - antihistamines block histamine neurotransmitter required for normal brain function.

Manufacturers of the first generation antihistamines are not recommended to take such drugs in those situations when you need increased attention and concentration - for example, when driving and performing other similar tasks. In the list of the most common first-generation antihistamines include:

• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
• Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine)
• Atarax
• Dimetapp
• Tavist

The main side effects of antihistamines first generation, in addition to drowsiness and loss of concentration, irritability included Irritability - you try to control my temper , Nausea, depression, loss of appetite, difficulty with urination, tremor, dizziness.

Despite the large number of side effects, some members of the group of first-generation antihistamines, and to this day are considered to be the best option medications to combat the symptoms of allergies. One of these antihistamines - diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl), which is highly effective, fast acting and easily cleaved in the body. That is why diphenhydramine, an antihistamine first generation allowed to take even children.