In recent years, Loratadine has been marketed as an effective treatment for alcoholism. The drug is available in different forms and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It can also be purchased over the counter without a prescription. In some cases, it has been used to treat depression and other neurological disorders. Because of its calming and sedative qualities, it has been marketed primarily as a sleep aid.

But what exactly are the possible side effects of loratadine and alcohol? Taking loratadine and alcohol together can have serious consequences for people who are already vulnerable to side effects from alcohol abuse. These include liver problems and severe allergic reactions. For these reasons, loratadine may not be the best choice for treating alcoholism or other problems related to the liver, especially if one already requires ongoing medical treatment for a physical illness.

Severe symptoms when combing Loratadine And Alcohol

Another condition that may arise when one takes loratadine and alcohol is a condition known as runny nose, itchy, watering eyes, sneezing, itching of the eyes, or even swollen eyes, eyelids, or nasal congestion. These symptoms can usually be treated by antihistamines (also sometimes called allergy drops), which can be obtained over the counter at your local pharmacy. If the allergies are caused by airborne substances (which often include cigarette smoke and pet dander), an antihistamine spray may help. But if the problem is due to something ingested, then you should consult your doctor immediately to determine the cause of the allergy.

Because the anti-cholinergic qualities of loratadine are well-known and well-used in the treatment of muscle spasms caused by Parkinson’s disease and certain types of obsessive-compulsive disorders, it has sometimes been taken incorrectly as a treatment for alcoholic addiction. In a July 2001 study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers reported that taking loratadine as an anti-cholinergic drug for three weeks was not effective for relieving alcoholism-related withdrawal symptoms in subjects. Instead, they concluded that the drug had little, if any, effect on alcohol dependence. This finding is probably attributable to a misreading of the clinical definition of loratadine’s anti-cholinergic effect.

As a matter of fact, a paper published in Clinical Chemistry said, “Alcoholic liver disease is more likely to be initiated or maintained by low levels of circulating antioxidants.” Thus, the combination of loratadine and alcohol is a double edged sword in many ways. While loratadine definitely offers some patients with mild alcohol-induced liver problems relief, it may actually facilitate the progression of the disease itself, especially when taken at too high of a dose. However, all in all, the combination of alcohol and loratadine seems to pose little health risk in itself, however may be a cause of much greater concern when taken in combination with another drug for which there is currently no recommended therapeutic dose.

For this reason, it is especially important for patients who take loratadine to carefully follow their physicians’ dosage recommendations. A sensible first step would be to request a printed dosage form for loratadine and alcohol use from your prescribing doctor. You should also obtain information about the recommended daily allowance of wine in order to minimize your chances of taking too much loratadine or alcohol. Taking these steps will help reduce your risks of complications from either condition. You will also be in a better position to determine whether or not loratadine would be appropriate and helpful in your particular case.

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