This medication is intended for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, skin rashes, dermatosis and hay fever. To prevent an allergic reaction from an insect bite, it is enough to take the Claritin tablet. This tool is recommended to take with you on a trip to nature or to the country. He has extremely few side effects and there are practically no contraindications. Not surprisingly, a doctor may prescribe Claritin Syrup for a child.
Release form
The drug exists in two forms. The syrup has a creamy tint and a liquid consistency. It is intended for the treatment of children under 12 years old. The most commonly used tablets are round coated tablets. On one side there is an engraving with the number "10". Tablets are placed on a blister in the amount of 10 pieces. One carton contains one blister. A measured plastic spoon is sold complete with syrup. The drug is of Belgian origin and is produced at the pharmaceutical factory "Schering-Plow".
What does it consist of
The active ingredient loratadine is present in the tablets. In addition to it, tablets contain additional components:
- Lactose Monohydrate.
- Plant starch.
- Magnesium stearate.
Syrup has many more components. In addition to the main substance, there is citric acid in the form of a monohydrate, flavor, water, glycerol and propylene glycol. The taste of the syrup is sweet and pleasant. Instructions for use of Claritin syrup for children recommends this tool as the main one in the treatment of allergies.
Useful action
Due to its composition, this drug has a therapeutic and prophylactic effect for any manifestations of allergy. It has the following properties:
- It does not allow tissue swelling to develop.
- A timely taken drug can prevent the occurrence of an allergic reaction.
- Thanks to "Claritin" itching of the eyes and nose.
- It has an antispasmodic effect.
The highest concentration of the drug in the blood is achieved one and a half hours after taking the pill or syrup. Within 8 hours, the active components are excreted in the urine.
How to use this tool
According to the instructions for use, Claritin tablets are prescribed to children only from the age of 6. Until this age, children are treated exclusively with syrup. If the child has a body weight of about 30 kg, then no more than two tablespoons of syrup per day will be needed. With a body weight of less than 30 kg, the baby is prescribed only one spoonful of the drug per day.
"Claritin" in tablets for children (whose weight is more than 30 kg) and adults can be used only once a day. The course of treatment should not exceed two weeks. The drug is taken both before meals and after it. In diseases of the kidneys or liver, the dose is halved.
Instructions for use for children
Claritin is not prescribed for children under two years of age. The recommended course of treatment is 14 days, but a twenty-eight-day course is allowed. If the child is tested for allergens, then the drug should be discontinued more than two days before the prescribed procedure.
The dosage of Claritin for children from 12 years old does not differ from that in the treatment of adults. If the child refuses to swallow the whole pill, it can be divided into two halves or chopped. The tablet is washed down with a sufficient amount of water or a drink.
Side effects
An overdose of the drug threatens with various side effects. Among them, the following symptoms are distinguished:
- Most often drowsiness and fatigue occur. Therefore, doctors highly do not recommend using this tool when driving a car.
- Children often complain of a headache.
- In elderly patients, tachycardia may occur.
- You can not combine this tool with the use of alcohol, as there is a toxic load on the liver.
- Sometimes nervous irritability is observed.
- With gastritis or a stomach ulcer, pain in the abdomen can occur.
In case of an overdose, gastric lavage should be done and a sorbent should be used. In some cases, medical attention is required. This remedy is contraindicated in case of individual intolerance to the components of the drug. Syrup can not be used for diabetes.
Signs of an Allergy
According to statistics, just over 20% of the world's population suffers from allergies. It proceeds in both mild and severe forms. The disease is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Skin dermatitis or urticaria. On the surface of the skin appear rounded blisters of a convex shape with a white spot in the center. The rash is accompanied by severe itching.
- Most often, you can observe allergic rhinitis. The patient has an itch in the throat, tearing and swelling of the nasal mucosa.
- Often, allergies are accompanied by redness of the eyes and tearing. In addition to edema of the eyelids, photophobia develops.
In more severe forms of allergies, Quincke edema and skin lesions appear on the entire surface of the body.
Allergies in children
This is a rather dangerous disease, which can lead to extremely adverse consequences for the child. Sometimes children outgrow allergies in their teens. But for some people, it remains for life. In order to avoid exacerbation of the disease, some rules should be followed:
- Acute allergy symptoms can only be removed with medication. Do not postpone a visit to the doctor or self-medicate.
- It is extremely important to identify the allergen and thus protect the child from its influence.
- Maintaining the immune system at the proper level, you can avoid acute manifestations of an allergic reaction.
Usually in children under the age of three, all allergies are associated with foods. The most allergenic are orange vegetables and fruits (oranges, persimmons, carrots), eggs, seafood, cow's milk and gluten products.
In the future, allergies can be associated with bacteria of animals and birds, domestic insects (ticks) and pollen of plants.
Drug treatment
Due to food allergies in a child, various diseases can occur. Undigested food becomes toxic and poisons the body. As a result, allergic children often suffer from colds, suffer from problems with the pancreas and gall bladder. Due to the poor absorption of trace elements and vitamins, developmental lag occurs.
During treatment, several types of drugs are used, each of which has several advantages.
- First-generation allergy medicines Fenkarol, Diazolin and Suprastin are used when you need to quickly stop the manifestation of allergies. Among the side effects, there is some lethargy, apathy and dizziness.
- The second-generation drugs Claritin (Loratadine) and Kestin act quickly and are safe for the child. Claritin is the best option for childhood allergies. Instructions for use "Claritin" for children advises using this tool for all manifestations of allergies.
- Such drugs as Gismanal and Terfenadin tend to accumulate in the body and are perfectly adapted for a long course of treatment.
Among all the listed drugs, the best way to treat a child is nevertheless Claritin. Children can take both syrup and tablets of the drug. It quite quickly and effectively eliminates the first manifestation of allergies, and also acts as a prophylactic, preventing the further development of a negative reaction.
Features of use
It is undesirable to use this tool for drivers and people whose work requires concentration. Among the side effects of this drug are drowsiness and dizziness, so it is extremely inconvenient to use it throughout the day.
Due to the fact that the composition of this product contains lactose and starch, it should not be used by people who are allergic to these substances.
This product should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Despite the fact that there is no direct or indirect evidence of the harm caused to the health of the unborn child, manufacturers do not recommend the use of this tool in all three trimesters of pregnancy.
The active components of the drug easily penetrate into breast milk and then enter the baby’s stomach. Therefore, if it is necessary for the mother to use this product, lactation should be stopped.
Analogs of means
Claritin has several analogues that can partially replace it. Claritin Syrup Instructions for Children often contain identical information.
The Zodak allergy drug has proven itself well. It is available both in the form of syrup and in tablet form. The active component of Zodak is cetirizine hydrochloride. Tablets can be taken for children from the age of six. Drops and syrup - from only 12 years old. This remedy is not used for kidney failure, diseases of the liver and gall bladder, as well as during pregnancy and lactation.
The drug "Cetirizine" also contains cetirizine hydrochloride. This product is available in the form of round tablets with a smooth shell. It can be used by children from the age of 12. Due to the presence of a shell, it is extremely difficult to divide a tablet into 2 parts so that a child under 12 can take this remedy. An overdose of the drug threatens problems with the psyche, dizziness and headache. Dry mouth and difficulty urinating may sometimes occur.
"Suprastin" is available in the form of gray tablets or a clear solution. It is based on the active component chloropyramine hydrochloride. This drug should not be used in children under 3 years of age and in pregnant women. In case of an overdose, hallucination may occur, coordination of movements is disturbed, psychosis or fever begins. The drug is manufactured by the Hungarian pharmaceutical company Egis.
"Diphenhydramine" is available both in the form of a solution for injection, and in the form of tablets. The active substance of this drug is diphenhydramine. It has soothing and sleeping pills. It is used for all types of allergies, colds and injuries. The drug should not be used for more than 15 days. Children take Diphenhydramine starting from the age of two in the amount of 75 mg per day. Side effects include dry mouth, tinnitus, and irritability.
Semprex is available in the form of a powder or gelatin capsules containing 8 mg of the active component of acrivastine. This Egyptian drug is perfectly absorbed by the body and has been in effect for quite some time. It is used for all allergy symptoms, as well as for the prevention of its appearance. This tool is not prescribed for children under 12 years of age. Semprex has very few side effects and contraindications.
The drug "Allergostop" contains desloratadine. The rounded tablets of this product are coated with a blue shell, and the syrup has a pleasant aroma and smell. It is perfectly absorbed and has a cumulative effect. The remains of the drug are excreted within two days. Claritin's instructions for children and Allergostop are very similar.
Allergostop syrup can be prescribed to children from 12 months old. Side effects include dry mouth and weakness.
Loratidine preparations
The composition of the drug "Agistam" contains loratadine. These are white tablets, divided by risk. It can be prescribed to children whose weight exceeds 30 kg. Use the drug, regardless of the meal. The course of treatment is from 10 days to 1 month. Among the side effects are increased fatigue, tachycardia and cough. In rare cases, an exacerbation of the disease occurs. Then the drug is stopped and seek help from the attending physician.
Loridine is used for the same symptoms as Claritin. This remedy can be prescribed to a child from the age of two. The active substance of this drug is loratadine. The method of use, dosage and instructions for tablets for children "Claritin" are also identical. In case of an overdose, headache, nausea and drowsiness occur.
Storage of Claritin
The syrup is stored for three years in a place inaccessible to children. Shelf life of tablets is four years. Storage temperature should not fall below two degrees. This product can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription.