Loratadine and Desloratadine Use in Children

Marcia L. Buck, Pharm.D., FCCP, FPPAG

Pediatr Pharm. 2011;17(5)

Abstract and Introduction

Introduction

Loratadine is one of the most widely used antihistamines in the United States. Introduced on April 12, 1993 as a prescription medication for the treatment of perennial or seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria, it is now available without a prescription or "over the counter" (OTC) in a wide variety of formulations.^[1,2] Desloratadine, the single active isomer of loratadine, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 21, 2001 and still requires a prescription.^[3,4] Both versions are approved for pediatric use: loratadine for children as young as 2 years of age and desloratadine for infants 6 months of age and older. This issue of Pediatric Pharmacotherapy will provide a brief review of loratadine and desloratadine, focusing on studies supporting their use in the pediatric population.

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Cite this: Loratadine and Desloratadine Use in Children - Medscape - May 01, 2011.

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