Clatine

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Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Clatine

This section provides a foundational overview of Clatine, detailing its composition, classification, and general function.

Property Description
Active ingredient Loratadine
Form Tablet, Oral Solution, Orally Disintegrating Tablet
Pharmacological class Histamine mathbfH1-receptor Antagonist
Common purpose Systemic relief from allergic symptoms
Origin Synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Clatine (Loratadine)?

Clatine is the trade name for the active substance Loratadine, which is classified as a second-generation antihistamine. It belongs to the pharmacological class of Histamine mathbfH1-receptor antagonists, meaning its primary action is to counteract the effects of the body's naturally released histamine. Loratadine is designated as an essential antiallergic agent.

The designation as a second-generation antihistamine defines the drug's specialized profile. Loratadine is a synthetic tricyclic piperidine derivative and is recognized for its generally non-sedating profile, separating it from older, first-generation antihistamines. Its mechanism involves competitively blocking peripheral mathbfH1-receptors.


Composition, Origin, and Available Forms of Clatine

The medicine is a single active ingredient product, composed only of Loratadine (mathbfC22H23ClN2O2). As a synthetic compound, it is engineered for its specific mathbfH1 antagonistic activity. The drug is intended for oral administration and systemic effect, and is available in several dosage forms.

These forms include the standard tablet, the oral solution (syrup), and the orally disintegrating tablet. The availability of the oral solution makes Clatine accessible for pediatric patients or adults who struggle with swallowing tablets. The Loratadine is absorbed after oral administration, enabling the onset of relief.


What is the General Therapeutic Purpose of Clatine?

The general purpose of Clatine is to provide systemic relief from the uncomfortable physical symptoms that arise during an allergic reaction. This is achieved through its primary mechanism: acting as a competitive antagonist to the mathbfH1-receptors in peripheral tissues, which prevents the activating substance histamine from binding. This action is long-acting, designed to manage symptoms like generalized itching and irritation over a twenty-four-hour period.

Regulatory References

  1. WHO Essential Medicines List
  2. NLM Drug Information

What side effects are possible with Clatine?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Clatine (Loratadine) is officially documented by government health authorities, classifying potential adverse reactions primarily by their observed frequency in clinical use and post-marketing surveillance.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are grouped into categories based on reporting rates, with the majority falling under the Common or Very Rare classifications.

  • Common (Observed in 1/100 to < 1/10 individuals):
    • Adults/Adolescents: Somnolence (drowsiness), Headache, Increased appetite, Insomnia.
    • Children (2-12 years): Headache, Nervousness, Fatigue.
  • Very Rare (Observed in < 1/10,000 individuals):
    • Reactions such as dizziness, palpitations, nausea, dry mouth, rash, and alopecia have been documented. These are often tracked through post-marketing data.

Systemic and Serious Reactions

Adverse effects are also tracked by the System-Organ Class (SOC) affected, including Nervous System Disorders, Cardiac Disorders, and Hepatobiliary Disorders. The profile explicitly includes Very Rare but serious adverse reactions, which require formal attention.

These include severe Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., Anaphylaxis, Angioedema), Convulsion (seizure), and serious forms of Abnormal Hepatic Function (e.g., jaundice, hepatitis).

Safety Considerations for Specific Populations

Official labeling addresses specific populations where the drug's exposure or effect may be altered. Individuals with severe hepatic impairment are typically advised to use a lower initial dose due to potentially reduced drug clearance. Safety concerns regarding increased risk of somnolence are also noted for older adults and patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance leq 30 mL/min).

Additionally, the regulatory text specifies that Loratadine should be discontinued at least 48 hours prior to skin allergy testing to prevent interference with test results.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Officially Documented Overdose Presentations

Overdosage with Loratadine (Clatine) may increase the occurrence of anticholinergic symptoms and has been formally associated with several documented clinical manifestations. The most frequently reported signs and symptoms of acute overdosage include somnolence (drowsiness), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and headache. Regulatory documents also note very rare severe outcomes potentially relevant to toxicity, such as convulsion (seizure) and other cardiac events.

Taking doses higher than the maximum recommended amount, particularly in patients with severe liver or kidney disease where clearance may be impaired, may increase the risk of these manifestations. Regulatory labeling emphasizes that the product must be kept out of reach of children due to their increased susceptibility to severe effects.

Required Emergency Actions and Management

The regulatory guidance on overdosage mandates that treatment must be instituted immediately and focus on general symptomatic and supportive measures. In all cases of suspected overdose, individuals must get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Procedural steps that may be considered by medical professionals include the administration of activated charcoal as a slurry with water, or gastric lavage. Medical monitoring of the patient is to be continued after emergency treatment. It is officially stated that Loratadine is not removed by haemodialysis, and no specific pharmacological antidote is known.

Therapeutic Uses of Clatine

What Clatine Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Clatine is commonly used across conditions presenting with acute episodes related to Allergic Rhinitis, and may assist with managing symptomatic discomfort in both seasonal (Hay Fever) and perennial forms. The medication is commonly used to help manage symptomatic discomfort in the nose and eyes, such as frequent sneezing, runny nose, and itching of the throat, nose, and eyes, which is relevant in contexts marked by increased discomfort. This therapeutic use is applicable in conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms.

The medication is also applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed for Cutaneous Allergic Manifestations, primarily Urticaria (Hives) and generalized allergic pruritus. It is used in conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort in the skin, helping to ease symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain. It provides supportive symptomatic relief that may help patients cope with difficult episodes by easing the intensity of the itching and the visibility of the welts.

“The medication generally provides long-lasting symptomatic support and a generally non-sedating profile.”


Quick Fact: Symptomatic Support

Clatine is generally considered relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate, assisting with maintaining functional stability. The medication is commonly used to help with Allergic Rhinitis and Urticaria (Hives), which supports the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress and helping to maintain a sense of stability when symptoms are more noticeable.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Profile for Clatine (Loratadine)

The use of Clatine is defined by official regulatory documentation that establishes clear boundaries based on age, physiological status, and underlying organ function. The medicine is established for use in most adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older. Pediatric eligibility extends to children 6 to 11 years, and to children 2 to under 6 years, typically restricted to the oral solution formulation. The safety and efficacy of Clatine have not been established in children younger than two years of age.

Use is strictly contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the active substance, Loratadine, or any ingredient in the product. Furthermore, women who are breastfeeding must not use this medication. As a precautionary measure, the use of Clatine during pregnancy is avoided.

For specific populations, use is permitted only under conditional restriction. Patients with severe liver disease or severe kidney disease require caution, as official labeling indicates a modified dosing regimen may be necessary to maintain eligibility. Use must also be stopped at least 48 hours before planned allergy skin tests.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The interaction profile of Clatine (Loratadine) is officially defined by effects on drug concentrations and timing requirements for diagnostic procedures, with no specific combination formally listed as a strict contraindication.


Pharmacokinetic and Exposure Interactions

Co-administration with other medicines may result in a pharmacokinetic interaction due to interference with metabolic enzymes. Specifically, the regulatory label notes that medicines known to inhibit Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, such as CYP3 A4 and CYP2 D6, may cause an increase in the plasma concentration (exposure) of Loratadine and its active metabolite.

Classification Specific Interacting Medicines Interaction Outcome
Metabolic Enzyme Inhibitors Ketoconazole, Erythromycin, Cimetidine Substantially increased Loratadine exposure ( AUC and C max).
Food Interaction Food (meals) Increases systemic bioavailability ( AUC) of Loratadine and may slightly delay absorption.
Pharmacodynamic Note Alcohol (Ethanol) Formal studies document no potentiation of psychomotor effects at the standard 10 mg dose.

Interaction-Context Constraints

In addition to drug-drug interactions, official documents note that individuals with severe hepatic impairment or chronic renal impairment (creatinine clearance le 30 mL/min) exhibit increased exposure to Loratadine, which heightens the relevance of co-administered enzyme inhibitors. Furthermore, a procedural timing rule is in place: administration must be discontinued for approximately 48 hours prior to any skin testing procedures to prevent diagnostic interference.

Mechanism of Action

Clatine is a long-acting, lipophobic, tricyclic molecule that functions as a highly selective peripheral histamine H1-receptor antagonist.

The molecule, along with its active metabolite descarboethoxy-Clatine, primarily targets H1 receptors located on the surface of various cell types, including vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells in the respiratory tract, and immune cells like mast cells and basophils.

Clatine competitively binds to the H1-receptors, blocking the binding and subsequent action of the endogenous ligand, histamine. This H1 antagonism prevents the histamine-mediated activation of the downstream intracellular signaling cascade, which involves the G q/ 11 protein pathway. The interruption of this pathway attenuates the increase in intracellular Ca^2+ levels that is typically observed following H1 activation.

The resulting downstream cascades lead to a system-level physiological consequence of decreased vascular permeability and reduced smooth muscle contraction in the airways and gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, at higher concentrations, the drug modulates the release of histamine from mast cells, further contributing to the overall systemic action. Due to its poor affinity for central nervous system H1-receptors, the drug's activity is largely confined to the periphery.

Dosage and Administration Information

How Clatine is Used: Administration Guidelines

Clatine (Loratadine) is an oral-use medication with specific dosing and administration rules.


Standard Dosing Regimens

Patient Population Standard Once-Daily Dose
Adults and Adolescents (ge 12 years) 10 mg once daily
Children (6 to <12 years) 10 mg once daily (for weight >30 kg)
Children (2 to <6 years) 5 mg once daily (typically via Oral Solution)

Administration Conditions and Special Adjustments

  • Route and Timing: Clatine is for oral administration and may be taken with or without food. Administration should be limited to once daily; the 10 mg maximum dose in a 24-hour period should not be exceeded.
  • Form Preparation: The Orally Disintegrating Tablet (ODT) is placed on the tongue, where it rapidly dissolves, and can be swallowed with or without water.
  • Dose Adjustment: Patients with severe hepatic (liver) impairment or severe renal impairment (GFR <30 mL/min) receive a modified dosing interval. The recommended initial dose is typically 10 mg every other day for adults and children weighing more than 30 kg.
  • Missed Dose: If a dose is missed, the recommendation is to take the next scheduled dose as usual and not double the dose to make up for the missed one.

These instructions define the single daily administration and the necessary interval modifications based on organ function.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Clatine

The research base for Clatine (Loratadine) describes the findings from numerous clinical studies, primarily Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). These trials are conducted to examine the substance's measured effects on symptoms associated with specific allergic conditions.


Evidence Base for Allergic Rhinitis

The evidence base for Clatine's use in allergic rhinitis—including seasonal and perennial allergies—contains Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). These short-term studies were used in research exploring how symptoms change over time by comparing the active substance against a placebo or other allergy medications. Researchers monitored outcomes related to physical discomfort, such as frequent sneezing, runny nose, and nasal itching.

Findings described measurements of changes in total and individual nasal symptom scores over observation periods generally lasting up to one month. Research examined outcomes linked to inflammatory or irritative states and how these outcomes evolved during periods of heightened symptom activity. What is still uncertain is related to the duration of the measured change; long-term effects are not fully established beyond the one-month period.


Evidence Base for Cutaneous Allergic Manifestations (Hives)

Research exploring the use for conditions characterized by fluctuating manifestations, such as Urticaria (hives) and generalized allergic itching, also contains Randomized Controlled Trials. The outcomes studied included measures like the size and count of visible hives (wheals) and the intensity of itching. Studies report how measured symptom scores evolved in the observed populations during defined time intervals, typically two to four weeks.


Evidence in Special Populations

Research has explored the use of the substance in children with allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, the substance was observed in studies related to its use during pregnancy. These are primarily non-randomized observational studies and analyses of large population-based birth registries. These studies examined fetal outcomes following documented use during the first trimester. Research provides context but not individual predictions, and certainty remains low because observational studies cannot establish cause.


What Remains Uncertain in the Research Landscape

Several areas show where the research is still developing or where data are limited. Follow-up durations were restricted in the primary efficacy trials, meaning long-term effects for continued, daily use are not fully established. Comparative evidence is lacking for certain therapeutic scenarios, and evidence quality varies across studies when comparing it to every other available second-generation antihistamine.

Key Studies & References

  1. Drug Monograph for Loratadine (NLM Drug Information/MedlinePlus or equivalent regulatory source)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Clatine (FAQ)

Q: How quickly is Clatine expected to start working?

A: According to official product information, the onset of action for Clatine is generally observed within 1 to 3 hours after a person takes the medicine. This is when the active substance begins to counteract the effects of histamine in the body.

Q: How long does the effect of one dose of Clatine last?

A: Clatine is described as a long-acting medicine in regulatory documents. Official information indicates that the therapeutic effect of a single dose typically lasts long enough to provide symptom management over a full 24-hour period.

Q: Can alcohol be consumed while taking Clatine?

A: Formal studies examined the combination of Clatine and alcohol. Official findings documented that the standard 10 mg dose does not potentiate the effects of alcohol on psychomotor performance. This means it is not expected to intensify the feeling of being impaired or drowsy.

Q: Is it safe to take Clatine if I also take supplements?

A: Official documents describe that medicines or substances that affect the body's metabolism, specifically those that inhibit certain liver enzymes called Cytochrome P450, may cause an increase in the body’s exposure to Clatine. Information about supplements that may interact with these enzymes is not contained in the official drug description. The full regulatory documents list the active and inactive ingredients of Clatine.

Q: Does Clatine interact with commonly used over-the-counter pain relievers?

A: Regulatory information notes potential interactions with specific medicines, such as Ketoconazole, Erythromycin, and Cimetidine, that inhibit the CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 enzymes. Official documents do not explicitly detail specific interactions with commonly used over-the-counter pain relievers.

Q: What information is available regarding Clatine and driving/operating machinery?

A: Regulatory product information notes that caution is warranted regarding activities that require full mental alertness, such as driving or operating machinery. This is due to the documented potential for drowsiness, or somnolence, in some individuals taking the medicine.

Q: What population groups were included in the primary research for Clatine?

A: The primary efficacy trials conducted to establish the drug's intended uses included adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older. Research has also explored the substance’s effects in children, as well as in special populations, including observational studies related to use during pregnancy.

Q: Are there any serious side effects associated with Clatine?

A: Yes, official safety information documents that while rare, some serious adverse reactions have been observed. These very rare events include severe hypersensitivity reactions (like anaphylaxis and angioedema), convulsions (seizures), and abnormal hepatic function.

Q: Does Clatine affect energy levels?

A: The adverse reaction profile includes reports of side effects that relate to energy or alertness. This includes fatigue and insomnia (trouble sleeping) in adults and adolescents, and nervousness and fatigue in children.

Q: Do I need a prescription to get Clatine?

A: Clatine is widely available and is generally classified as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication. The designation as an OTC medication indicates it is generally available without a prescription, though local availability and specific formulations may vary by region.

Q: Is Clatine an addictive medicine?

A: Official regulatory documents, including those that track abuse potential and dependence, classify Clatine as a non-controlled substance. The medicine is not described as having the potential for abuse or dependence.

Q: Is Clatine a steroid?

A: No, Clatine is not a steroid medication. It is pharmacologically classified as a second-generation Histamine mathbfH1-receptor antagonist. This means its primary action is to block the effects of histamine released during an allergic response.

Q: Can Clatine be used for allergies year-round?

A: Official documents state that Clatine is indicated for the treatment of symptoms associated with both seasonal allergic rhinitis (short-term allergies) and perennial allergic rhinitis (year-round allergies). The drug’s indications include perennial allergic rhinitis, which refers to year-round allergies.

Q: Does taking Clatine affect laboratory test results?

A: Regulatory warnings indicate that administration is advised to be discontinued for approximately 48 hours prior to allergy skin testing procedures. This is to prevent interference with test results, which demonstrates an effect on that specific diagnostic procedure.

Q: What is the risk of overdose with Clatine?

A: Official labeling includes information on overdosage. Adverse effects reported following an overdose typically involve central nervous system effects such as increased somnolence (drowsiness), tachycardia (a rapid heart rate), and headache.

Q: Can Clatine cause stomach upset?

A: Gastrointestinal upset is documented in the adverse reaction profile. Nausea is specifically noted as a very rare reaction associated with the use of Clatine.

Q: Are there food restrictions while taking Clatine?

A: No specific food restrictions are listed in the official instructions. Clatine may be taken for oral administration either with or without food.

Q: Is Clatine a brand name or a generic name?

A: Clatine is the trade (brand) name for the active chemical ingredient, which is Loratadine. Loratadine is the generic name for the substance.

Q: What are the ingredients in the Clatine tablet/capsule?

A: The active substance in Clatine is Loratadine. All formulations, including tablets and oral solutions, also contain various inactive ingredients, or excipients, which are fully listed in the complete regulatory documents.

How should Clatine be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Clatine

Clatine (loratadine) must be stored at controlled room temperature, maintaining a range between 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F). The product must be kept from freezing and protected from light and excessive moisture.

The medication should be stored in its original closed container and kept strictly out of the sight and reach of children.

Specific packaging rules apply: orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) must be used immediately after opening the individual blister unit. Additionally, the oral solution may have a limited in-use stability period after opening. Do not use the medicine past its labeled expiry date.

For disposal, unused or expired Clatine must not be thrown away via household waste or wastewater. Patients must ask a pharmacist or local waste authority for instructions on how to properly dispose of the medicine according to regulatory requirements.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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