Noumed Loratadine | Hayfever & Allergy Relief | One-a-Day | 10mg Tablets

Loratadine One-a-Day Tablets

Loratadine One-a-Day 10mg tablets help prevent the symptoms associated with hayfever and high pollen counts as well as other allergic reactions caused by pets and dust mites.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is a disorder of the immune system which, causes an exaggerated response within the body when you come into contact with a foreign substance, that would be harmless in most people. The contact can be with your skin, mouth, gullet (oesophagus), stomach, intestine or with the lining of your lungs. Substances in the environment that cause the response are known as allergens and someone who suffers a response to a particular allergen is said to be allergic to it. If you are allergic to a particular allergen you may suffer from a mild cough or a sneeze attack, but for others the symptoms can be much more severe, and can even lead to death. Almost any substance can be an allergen for someone.

Allergies are generally the body’s way of eliminating something it considers unsuitable. Allergies are responsible for many illnesses, especially in young children. If you think you have an allergy, you must contact your doctor who will help you to control the symptoms.

How many people suffer from allergies in the U.K.?

The number of people with allergies has increased dramatically over the past 20 years:

• 1 in 3 people will at some time in their life suffer from an allergy.
• 1 in 5 people suffer from hay fever (Over 9 million in the U.K. are thought to be affected).
• 1 in 5 school children are thought to be affected by asthma.
• Approximately 6 million people have eczema.

Why do people get allergies?

It is unknown exactly why people get allergies, some experts believe they could be hereditary. This is especially true for certain reactions such as, asthma, eczema and hay fever. If one or both parents have allergies there is a high chance the child will also have allergies. However, the child only inherits the likelihood of having allergies, not a particular allergy. A child is also more likely to develop allergies if exposed to passive smoking.

There has been a great amount of research done of late and many experts believe, that the increase in people developing allergies, could be due to the lifestyles many of us lead and the effect it has on our immune system. Another theory is the increased pollution from vehicle exhausts and other environmental pollutants.

How do I know if I have an allergy?

If you have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above then you may have suffered an allergic reaction, if so you should seek you doctor’s advice. If you are not sure what caused your reaction you should try to write down the following:

• When your reaction occurs, is it at any particular time of the day or year and how often?
• Which part of the body is affected?
• How severe are the symptoms?
• Do you sneeze or wheeze when you clean the house?
• Are there any remedies that improve your symptoms?
• Is there anything that seems to make your symptoms worse?
• Do your symptoms improve/worsen when at work/home/outdoors?
• Is there a family history of allergies?
• Have you eaten anything different?
• Have you been in contact with any animals?

This will help your doctor identify the specific allergen. Finding out if you have a certain allergy and what the possible causes are, will help your doctor decide what treatment you may need or what you can do to help yourself. If you have had a severe allergic reaction you should seek medical advice immediately.

How are allergies treated?

Prevention is the key in allergy sufferers, so if you know you have an allergy to something you should make the effort to avoid or reduce contact with the specific allergen. To control allergy symptoms you should try the following tips:

• Remove all carpets and switch to wooden floors, tiles or vinyl to reduce the presence of the house dust mite.
• Vacuum soft furnishings frequently or switch to leather or vinyl sofas and chairs.
• Keep your house well ventilated (open windows when cooking and bathing) to reduce humidity levels and prevent mould from forming.
• Wash bedding weekly at a temperature of 60°c or above to kill off any allergens.
• Buy special mattresses and pillow coverings that are resistant to the dust mite.
• Regularly dust and vacuum your house to reduce the population of house dust mites. Ensure your vacuum cleaner has the British Allergy Foundation seal of approval to remove dust mites and cat and dog allergens.
• Put your child’s soft toys in a bag in a freezer for at least 12 hours every month or wash them frequently at high temperatures to kill off dust mites.
• Don’t buy pets but if you do have them, keep them outside and never allow them in a bedroom.
• Use non-scented and hypoallergenic products.
• Use gloves when handling chemicals, solvents and detergents.

Loratadine vs Cetirizine Tablets

What is the difference?

Loratadine and Cetirizine are the two most common over-the counter treatments for allergies producing very similar results. They are both known as anti-histamines. They work by calming the body’s immune system to allergens. Some people react better to one type of medicine than the other (we sell them both) so we cannot suggest which is better so would simply state that you try them both and see what works best for you.

It is important that you read and fully understand the Patient Information Leaflet before purchasing this item.

Before you take this medicine

leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
The score line of the tablet is only there to help you break the tablet if you have difficulty swallowing it whole.

Giving this medicine to children

It is important to know how much your child weighs to make sure that you give the correct amount of medicine. For example, a 9 year old child weighs about 30kg (4st 7lb). If in doubt weigh your child and then follow the instructions below.

Do not give to children who weigh 30 kg (4st 7lb) or less. There are other formulations more suitable for children younger than 6 years or with a body weight of 30 kg or less. Not recommended for children under 2 years old.

Adults and children 6 years and older who weigh more than 30kg (4st 7lb) – 1 x tablet – Once daily

Children who weigh 30 kg (4st 7lb) or less – Not recommended

If you have severe liver problems your doctor or
pharmacist may advise you to take the recommended
amount every other day. If this applies to you follow
their instructions.

If you take more Loratadine Tablets than you should If you take more Loratadine Tablets than you should, talk to your doctor or pharmacist straight away. No serious problems are expected however, you may get a headache, have a rapid heartbeat or feel sleepy.

If you forget to take Loratadine Tablets
• If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember, then continue to take it as usual.
• Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

What Loratadine Tablets contain

• The active substance is Loratadine. Each tablet contains 10 mg Loratadine.
• The other ingredients are maize starch, lactose, sodiumstarch glycolate, magnesium stearate (E572), sodium
lauryl sulphate, colloidal anhydrous silica (E551).
What Loratadine Tablets looks like and contents of the pack Loratadine Tablets are white to off white, round shaped
tablets, break line on one side and ‘L’ embossed on other side.
Loratadine 10mg Tablets are available in blister packs 7, 10, 14, 20 and 30 tablets.

Warnings and Precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Loratadine Tablets if:
• You have liver disease.
• You are scheduled to have any skin tests for allergies.
Do not take Loratadine Tablets for two days before having these tests. This is because it may affect the test
results.
• You must contact your doctor if your symptoms change,
worsen or do not improve.
If any of the above apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Loratadine Tablets.

Children

Do not give Loratadine Tablets to children younger than 6 years old or to children who weigh 30 kg or less. There are other formulations more suitable for children younger than 6 years old or with a body weight of 30kg or less.
Children under 2 years of age:
The safety and efficacy of Loratadine Tablets have not been established. No data are available.
Other medicines and Loratadine Tablets
The side effects of Loratadine Tablets may increase when used together with medicines that alter the performance of some enzymes responsible for drug-metabolism in the liver. However, in clinical studies, no increase in side effects of loratadine was seen with products that altered the performance of these enzymes. Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription.

Loratadine Tablets with alcohol
Loratadine Tablets have not been shown to add to the effects of an alcoholic drink.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of Loratadine Tablets during pregnancy.
Do not take Loratadine Tablets if you are breast-feeding.
Loratadine is excreted in breast milk.

Driving and using machines
In clinical trials that assessed driving ability, no impairment was observed in patients receiving loratadine.
At the recommended dose, Loratadine Tablets are not expected to cause you to be drowsy or less alert. However, very rarely some people experience drowsiness, which may affect their ability to drive or use machines.
Loratadine Tablets contains lactose Loratadine Tablets contains lactose; thus if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some
sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side

effects not listed here You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:

www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

By reporting side-effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this product.

 Other Information

If you need more advice consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.