Allergy Relief,Nasal Decongest (loratadine/pseudoephedrine sulfate)

In patients with chronic renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 30 mL/minute or less), both oral bioavailability and peak plasma concentrations of loratadine and desloratadine may be increased compared with individuals with normal renal function. However, elimination half-lives of the drug and its active metabolite appear to be similar to those of individuals with normal renal function. Patients with renal impairment receiving loratadine for self-medication should be advised to consult a clinician before initiating therapy, since a different dosage may be recommended. Therapy with loratadine conventional or orally disintegrating tablets or oral solution should be initiated at a dosage of 10 mg every other day in adults and children 6 years of age and older with a glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/minute and at a dosage of 5 mg every other day in children 2-5 years of age with renal insufficiency. In addition, therapy with the commercially available tablets containing loratadine in fixed combination with pseudoephedrine sulfate should be initiated in adults and children 12 years of age and older with a glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/minute at a dosage of 5 mg once daily when the 12-hour formulation is used or at a dosage of 10 mg every other day when the 24-hour formulation is used, since clearance of both loratadine and pseudoephedrine are decreased in such patients. Hemodialysis does not appear to affect the pharmacokinetics of loratadine or desloratadine.

The pharmacokinetics of loratadine and its active metabolite also may be altered in patients with hepatic impairment and dosage adjustment may be necessary. Therefore, patients with hepatic impairment receiving loratadine for self-medication should be advised to consult a clinician before initiating therapy, since a different dosage may be recommended. Therapy with loratadine conventional or orally disintegrating tablets or oral solution should be initiated at a dosage of 10 mg every other day in adults and children 6 years of age and older with hepatic failure and at a dosage of 5 mg every other day in children 2-5 years of age with hepatic failure. Since fixed-ratio combination preparations do not permit individual titration of dosages, and clearance of loratadine is decreased more substantially than that of pseudoephedrine sulfate in patients with hepatic impairment, the manufacturer recommends that tablets containing loratadine in fixed combination with pseudoephedrine sulfate generally not be used in such patients.

Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and sulfate are administered orally.

Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 240-mg extended-release tablets should be administered orally once daily and swallowed whole with water; the extended-release tablets should not be divided, crushed, chewed, or dissolved. Patients should be advised that the tablet does not completely dissolve and may be passed in the stool.

Loratadine is administered orally. Loratadine conventional tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and the commercially available tablets containing the drug in fixed combination with pseudoephedrine sulfate can be administered without regard to meals.

Although the oral bioavailability of loratadine is increased when the drug is administered as the orally disintegrating tablet without water, the bioavailability of the active metabolite desloratadine (descarboethoxyloratadine) is unaffected, and the manufacturers state that the orally disintegrating tablets can be administered with or without water. The orally disintegrating tablets are administered by placing a tablet on the tongue, where it disintegrates within a few seconds, and then subsequently swallowing with or without water. Tablets containing loratadine in fixed combination with pseudoephedrine sulfate should be swallowed intact and patients should be instructed not to break, chew, or dissolve such tablets. Patients also should be instructed to take Claritin-D(R) 24 Hour extended-release tablets with a full glass of water.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

Mixed & Indirect Sympathomimetics; Oral Phenylephrine/Maois

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Catecholamine stores increased by MAOIs can be released by indirect acting sympathomimetics such as ephedrine and amphetamine. MAO inhibitors also interfere with gut and liver metabolism of direct acting sympathomimetics (e.g oral phenylephrine).

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of MAOIs may result in potentiation of sympathomimetic effects, which may result in headaches, hypertensive crisis, toxic neurological effects, and malignant hyperpyrexia. Fatalities have occurred.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Concurrent use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and sympathomimetics is contraindicated. The manufacturers of sympathomimetic agents recommend waiting 14 days after discontinuation of MAO inhibitors before initiating the sympathomimetic.

DISCUSSION: Indirect acting sympathomimetic amines may cause abrupt elevation of blood pressure when administered to patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, resulting in a potentially fatal hypertensive crisis. Mixed (direct and indirect) acting sympathomimetics have also been shown to interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors depending on their degree of indirect action. The direct-acting sympathomimetics have not been reported to interact. Dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase, and its pressor effect is enhanced by monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Linezolid is another antibacterial with monoamine oxidase inhibitor properties. Metaxalone is a weak inhibitor of MAO. Foods containing large amounts of tyramine have also been implicated in this interaction. Methylene blue, when administered intravenously, has been shown to reach sufficient concentrations to be a potent inhibitor of MAO-A. At recommended dosages, rasagiline, oral selegiline, and transdermal selegiline up to 6mg/day are selective for MAO-B; however, at higher dosages they have been shown to lose their selectivity. One or more of the drug pairs linked to this monograph have been included in a list of interactions that should be considered "high-priority" for inclusion and should not be inactivated in EHR systems. This DDI subset was vetted by an expert panel commissioned by the U.S. Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology.

Sympathomimetics/Dihydroergotamine

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of dihydroergotamine and sympathomimetics may result in additive or synergistic effect on peripheral blood vessels.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of dihydroergotamine and sympathomimetics may result in increased blood pressure due to peripheral vasoconstriction.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Dihydroergotamine is contraindicated with sympathomimetics because the combination may result in additive or synergistic elevation of blood pressure.(1)

DISCUSSION: Significant elevation in blood pressure has been reported in patients treated with dihydroergotamine.(1) Sympathomimetics can be expected to have additional effects on blood pressure.

Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

Agents That Affect Catecholamines/Iobenguane I 123

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Many compounds that reduce catecholamine uptake or that deplete catecholamine stores may interfere with iobenguane uptake into cells.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Compounds that reduce catecholamine uptake or that deplete catecholamine stores may interfere with imaging completed with iobenguane.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Discuss the use of agents that affect catecholamines. Discontinue drugs that reduce catecholamine uptake or deplete catecholamine stores prior to imaging with iobenguane. Before imaging with iobenguane, discontinue agents that affect catecholamines for at least 5 biological half-lives, as clinically tolerated.(1)

DISCUSSION: Many agents may reduce catecholamine uptake or deplete catecholamine stores.(1) Examples include: - CNS stimulants or amphetamines (e.g. cocaine, methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine) - norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (e.g. phentermine) - norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. tramadol) - monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. phenelzine, linezolid) - central monoamine depleting drugs (e.g. reserpine) - non-select beta adrenergic blocking drugs (e.g. labetalol) - alpha agonists or alpha/beta agonists (e.g. pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, naphazoline) - tricyclic antidepressants or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g. amitriptyline, bupropion, duloxetine, mirtazapine, venlafaxine) - botanicals that may inhibit reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin or dopamine (e.g. ephedra, ma huang, St. John's Wort, yohimbine)

Agents That Affect Catecholamines/Iobenguane I 131

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Many compounds that reduce catecholamine uptake or that deplete catecholamine stores may interfere with iobenguane uptake into cells.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Compounds that reduce catecholamine uptake or that deplete catecholamine stores may impact the dosimetry calculations or effectiveness of iobenguane.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Discuss the use of agents that affect catecholamines. Discontinue drugs that reduce catecholamine uptake or deplete catecholamine stores for at least 5 half-lives before administration of either the dosimetry or a therapeutic dose of iobenguane. Do not administer these drugs until at least 7 days after each iobenguane dose.(1)

DISCUSSION: Many agents may reduce catecholamine uptake or deplete catecholamine stores.(1) Examples include: - CNS stimulants or amphetamines (e.g. cocaine, methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine) - norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (e.g. phentermine) - norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. tramadol) - monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g. phenelzine, linezolid) - central monoamine depleting drugs (e.g. reserpine) - non-select beta adrenergic blocking drugs (e.g. labetalol) - alpha agonists or alpha/beta agonists (e.g. pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, naphazoline) - tricyclic antidepressants or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g. amitriptyline, bupropion, duloxetine, mirtazapine, venlafaxine) - botanicals that may inhibit reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin or dopamine (e.g. ephedra, ma huang, St. John's Wort, yohimbine) - calcium channel blockers

Agents That Affect Iodide/Radioactive Iodide

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Many compounds can affect iodide protein binding and alter iodide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Compounds that affect iodide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics may impact the effectiveness of radioactive iodide.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Compounds that affect iodide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are expected to have the most impact during therapy using radioactive iodide. Diagnostic procedures would be expected to be impacted less.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Discuss the use of agents that affect iodide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics with the patient's oncologist.(1) Because indocyanine green contains sodium iodide, the iodine-binding capacity of thyroid tissue may be reduced for at least one week following administration. Do not perform radioactive iodine uptake studies for at least one week following administration of indocyanine green.(2) The manufacturer of iopamidol states administration may interfere with thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine and decrease therapeutic and diagnostic efficacy. Avoid thyroid therapy or testing for up to 6 weeks post administration of iopamidol.(3)

DISCUSSION: Many agents interact with radioactive iodine. The average duration of effect is: anticoagulants - 1 week antihistamines - 1 week anti-thyroid drugs, e.g: carbimazole, methimazole, propylthiouracil - 3-5 days corticosteroids - 1 week iodide-containing medications, e.g: amiodarone - 1-6 months expectorants - 2 weeks Lugol solution - 3 weeks saturated solution of potassium iodine - 3 weeks vitamins - 10-14 days iodide-containing X-ray contrast agents - up to 1 year lithium - 4 weeks phenylbutazone - 1-2 weeks sulfonamides - 1 week thyroid hormones (natural or synthetic), e.g.: thyroxine - 4 weeks tri-iodothyronine - 2 weeks tolbutamide - 1 week topical iodide - 1-9 months (1)

Agents That Affect Iodide/Sodium Iodide I 131

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Many compounds can affect iodide protein binding and alter iodide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.(1,2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Compounds that affect iodide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics may impact the effectiveness of radioactive iodide.(1,2)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Compounds that affect iodide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are expected to have the most impact during therapy using radioactive iodide. Diagnostic procedures would be expected to be impacted less.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Discuss the use of agents that affect iodide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics with the patient's oncologist.(1,2) Because indocyanine green contains sodium iodide, the iodine-binding capacity of thyroid tissue may be reduced for at least one week following administration. Do not perform radioactive iodine uptake studies for at least one week following administration of indocyanine green.(3) The manufacturer of iopamidol states administration may interfere with thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine and decrease therapeutic and diagnostic efficacy. Avoid thyroid therapy or testing for up to 6 weeks post administration of iopamidol.(4)

DISCUSSION: Many agents interact with radioactive iodine. The average duration of effect is: anticoagulants - 1 week antihistamines - 1 week anti-thyroid drugs, e.g: carbimazole, methimazole, propylthiouracil - 3-5 days corticosteroids - 1 week iodide-containing medications, e.g: amiodarone - 1-6 months expectorants - 2 weeks Lugol solution - 3 weeks saturated solution of potassium iodine - 3 weeks vitamins - 10-14 days iodide-containing X-ray contrast agents - up to 1 year lithium - 4 weeks phenylbutazone - 1-2 weeks sulfonamides - 1 week thyroid hormones (natural or synthetic), e.g.: thyroxine - 4 weeks tri-iodothyronine - 2 weeks tolbutamide - 1 week topical iodide - 1-9 months (1,2)

Mixed & Indirect Sympathomimet; Oral Phenylephrine/Slt Maois

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Catecholamine stores increased by MAOIs can be released by indirect acting sympathomimetics such as ephedrine and amphetamine. MAO inhibitors also interfere with gut and liver metabolism of direct acting sympathomimetics (e.g oral phenylephrine).

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of MAOIs may result in potentiation of sympathomimetic effects, which may result in headaches, hypertensive crisis, toxic neurological effects, and malignant hyperpyrexia. Fatalities have occurred with combinations of sympathomimetics and MAO-A inhibitors.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Concurrent use of MAO-A inhibitors and sympathomimetics is contraindicated. The manufacturers of sympathomimetic agents recommend waiting 14 days after discontinuation of MAO inhibitors before initiating the sympathomimetic. Patients receiving indirect acting sympathomimetics should not receive linezolid unless they are monitored for potential increases in blood pressure. Initial dosages of dopamine should be reduced. At recommended dosages, oral selegiline and transdermal selegiline up to 6mg/day are selective for MAO-B; however, at higher dosages they have been shown to lose their selectivity. Patients receiving higher dosages of selegiline should be considered susceptive to this interaction.

DISCUSSION: Indirect acting sympathomimetic amines may cause abrupt elevation of blood pressure when administered to patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, resulting in a potentially fatal hypertensive crisis. Mixed (direct and indirect) acting sympathomimetics have also been shown to interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors depending on their degree of indirect action. The direct-acting sympathomimetics have not been reported to interact. Dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase, and its pressor effect is enhanced by monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Foods containing large amounts of tyramine have also been implicated in this interaction. A significant pressor response was observed in normal subjects receiving linezolid and tyramine doses of more than 100 mg. Administration of linezolid (600 mg BID for 3 days) with pseudoephedrine (60 mg q 4 hours for 2 doses) increased blood pressure by 32 mmHg. Administration of linezolid (600 mg BID for 3 days) with phenylpropanolamine (25 mg q 4 hours for 2 doses) increased blood pressure by 38 mmHg. One or more of the drug pairs linked to this monograph have been included in a list of interactions that should be considered "high-priority" for inclusion and should not be inactivated in EHR systems. This DDI subset was vetted by an expert panel commissioned by the U.S. Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology.

Mixed & Indirect Sympathomimet;Oral Phenylephrine/Rasagiline

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Catecholamine stores increased by MAOIs can be released by indirect acting sympathomimetics such as ephedrine and amphetamine. MAO inhibitors also interfere with gut and liver metabolism of direct acting sympathomimetics (e.g oral phenylephrine).

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of MAOIs may result in potentiation of sympathomimetic effects, which may result in headaches, hypertensive crisis, toxic neurological effects, and malignant hyperpyrexia. Hypertensive crisis has been reported in patients taking recommended doses of rasagiline with sympathomimetic agents.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: At recommended dosages, rasagiline is selective for MAO-B; however, at higher dosages it has been shown to lose its selectivity. Patients receiving higher dosages of rasagiline should be considered susceptive to this interaction. Concurrent use should be approached with caution.

DISCUSSION: Indirect acting sympathomimetic amines may cause abrupt elevation of blood pressure when administered to patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, resulting in a potentially fatal hypertensive crisis. Mixed (direct and indirect) acting sympathomimetics have also been shown to interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors depending on their degree of indirect action. The direct-acting sympathomimetics have not been reported to interact. Dopamine is metabolized by monoamine oxidase, and its pressor effect is enhanced by monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Sympathomimetics/Ergot Alkaloids

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of ergot alkaloids and sympathomimetics may result in additive or synergistic effect on peripheral blood vessels.

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of ergot alkaloids and sympathomimetics may result in increased blood pressure due to peripheral vasoconstriction.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: When possible, avoid the concurrent use of ergot alkaloids and sympathomimetics. If concurrent use is warranted, monitor blood pressure and for signs of vasoconstriction. Decreasing the dose of one or both drugs may be necessary.

DISCUSSION: There have been reports of severe vasoconstriction resulting in gangrene in patients receiving intravenous ergonovine with dopamine or norepinephrine.

Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

Sympathomimetics (Direct, Mixed-Acting)/Guanethidine

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Direct or mixed-acting sympathomimetics may inhibit uptake of guanethidine at the adrenergic neuron.

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Decreased antihypertensive effectiveness. Effects may be seen for several days after discontinuation of the direct or mixed-acting sympathomimetic.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Avoid concomitant administration of these drugs. If both drugs are administered, adjust the guanethidine dose as needed based on blood pressure.

DISCUSSION: Documentation supports routine monitoring of this interaction. It should be noted that this interaction can occur quickly.

Sympathomimetics (Direct, Mixed-Acting)/Methyldopa

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Unknown.

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The pressor response to sympathomimetics may be increased.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Start with low doses of sympathomimetics and monitor blood pressure of patients during concurrent administration of sympathomimetics and methyldopa.

DISCUSSION: The pressor response to sympathomimetics has been reported to be increased during methyldopa administration. In addition to increased duration of pressor response, severe hypertension has been reported.

Sympathomimetics/Rauwolfia Alkaloids

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Reserpine depletes catecholamine stores within the peripheral vascular adrenergic nerve endings, thus indirect acting sympathomimetics are unable to trigger the release of catecholamines. The reserpine-induced catecholamine release increases sensitivity to the effects of direct acting sympathomimetics.

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Increased effects of direct acting sympathomimetics. Decreased effects of indirect acting sympathomimetics. Mixed acting sympathomimetics will show effects based on the predominance of either direct or indirect activity.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: If these agents are administered concurrently, monitor blood pressure. The dose of the sympathomimetic may need to be adjusted.

DISCUSSION: This interaction has been well documented in animal studies and human case reports have confirmed the interaction. Reserpine has been shown to decrease the response to epinephrine administered for hypotension. Reserpine has also been shown to decrease the effectiveness of ophthalmic epinephrine, a direct acting sympathomimetic. Ophthalmic phenylephrine has been shown to decrease the hypotensive effects of reserpine.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

• Severe coronary artery disease
• Severe uncontrolled hypertension
• Urinary retention

• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hypertension
• Hyperthyroidism
• Pheochromocytoma

• Disease of liver
• Hepatic failure
• Kidney disease with reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFr)
• Renal disease with moderate to severe function impairment
• Severe hepatic disease

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Rare or Very Rare

• Abnormal hepatic function tests
• Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
• Anaphylaxis
• Angioedema
• Dyspnea
• Hallucinations
• Hypertension
• Ischemic colitis
• Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
• Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome
• Seizure disorder
• Vomiting

More Frequent

• Headache disorder
• Headache disorder
• Insomnia

Less Frequent

• Acute abdominal pain
• Agitation
• Anorexia
• Conjunctivitis
• Dizziness
• Drowsy
• Drowsy
• Dysuria
• General weakness
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Pallor
• Tachycardia
• Tremor

Rare or Very Rare

• Abdominal pain with cramps
• Acute cognitive impairment
• Alopecia
• Anticholinergic toxicity
• Blurred vision
• Bronchitis
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Chest tightness
• Concentration difficulty
• Cough
• Dizziness
• Dream disorder
• Dry nose
• Dry throat
• Dyspepsia
• Dyspnea
• Earache
• Epistaxis
• Excitement
• Fatigue
• Gastritis
• Hyperhidrosis
• Hyperhidrosis
• Hyperkinesis
• Increased appetite
• Insomnia
• Malaise
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Palpitations
• Palpitations
• Pharyngitis
• Sedation
• Skin photosensitivity
• Skin rash
• Symptoms of anxiety
• Syncope
• Tachycardia
• Tinnitus
• Urinary incontinence
• Urinary retention
• Visual changes
• Voice change
• Weight gain
• Xerostomia

No enhanced messaging available.

No enhanced messaging available.

An increased incidence of hypospadias in male infants born to women who received loratadine during pregnancy was reported in one study. However, analysis of data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) indicated that use of loratadine during early pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of second- or third-degree hypospadias. In addition, in 2 small prospective cohort studies that surveyed pregnant women who contacted a teratology information service, use of loratadine during the first trimester of pregnancy was not associated with major congenital anomalies and did not affect the rate of live birth, gestational age at birth, and birth weight. Despite these findings, it should be noted that interpretation of these results is limited by the statistical limitations of the studies (i.e., small sample size, inadequate power, reliance on patient recall of drug use, exclusion criteria). The 2 prospective cohort studies were powered to detect statistical significance only if a substantial (i.e., approximately threefold) increase in the overall rate of major congenital anomalies was observed; the study that relied on NBDPS data excluded first-degree hypospadias because of the difficulty of detecting this mildest form in routine surveillance, making it difficult to determine the relationship between loratadine and this form of hypospadias. Thus, while these data may be useful, further study is needed to completely rule out the teratogenic risk of loratadine. Because there are no adequate and controlled studies to date using loratadine in pregnant women, loratadine alone or in fixed combination with pseudoephedrine hydrochloride should be used during pregnancy only when the potential benefits justify the possible risks to the fetus. Reproduction studies in rats and rabbits using loratadine dosages up to 75 and 150 times, respectively, the maximum daily human dosage on a mg/m2 basis have not revealed evidence of harm to the fetus.

Loratadine and desloratadine distribute readily into breast milk, achieving concentrations that are equivalent to those in plasma (i.e., a milk to plasma AUC ratio of 1.17 and 0.85, respectively). The manufacturer states that about 0.03% of a single 40-mg dose of loratadine was distributed into breast milk as loratadine and desloratadine over 48 hours. Pseudoephedrine also distributes readily into breast milk. Caution should be exercised when loratadine is administered alone or in fixed combination with pseudoephedrine to a nursing woman, and a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman.

No enhanced messaging available.