Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Lorastyne. It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor or pharmacist has weighed the risks of you taking Lorastyne against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Lorastyne is used for
Lorastyne relieves symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (hayfever), such as sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and burning or itchy eyes. Lorastyne may also be used to relieve symptoms associated with a skin condition called chronic urticaria (also called hives); these symptoms include itching, redness and lumps on the skin.
Lorastyne belongs to a class of medicines known as antihistamines. Antihistamines help reduce allergic symptoms by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine. Histamine is produced by the body in response to foreign substances which the body is allergic to. Your doctor or pharmacist, however, may prescribe Lorastyne for another purpose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why Lorastyne has been prescribed for you.
There is no evidence that Lorastyne is addictive.
Before you take Lorastyne
When you must not take it
Do not take Lorastyne if you have an allergy to Lorastyne or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, difficulty in breathing or faintness.
Do not take Lorastyne if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless you and your doctor or pharmacist have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
Do not take Lorastyne after the expiry date printed on the pack.
Do not take Lorastyne if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Before you start to take it
You must tell your doctor or pharmacist:
- if you are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, dyes or preservatives
- if you have liver disease or any other medical conditions.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy
without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
How to take Lorastyne
How much to take
Adults and children over 12 years:
One Lorastyne tablet once daily
Be sure to take Lorastyne exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you to. It does not matter if you take Lorastyne before or after food. If you do not follow their instructions, you may not get relief from your symptoms.
How to take it
Take it with a glass of water.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor, pharmacist or Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) for advice. Go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Lorastyne. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent attention. Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
While you are taking Lorastyne
Things you must do
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Lorastyne. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you become pregnant while you are taking Lorastyne.
Things you must not do
Do not give Lorastyne to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours. Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist says to.
Things to be careful of
Make sure you know how you react to Lorastyne before you drive a car or operate machinery. Lorastyne is unlikely to make you drowsy. If you are drowsy, do not drive a car or work with machinery.
Stop taking Lorastyne 48 hours before you have any skin tests. Antihistamines may interfere with the results of skin tests.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Lorastyne. Lorastyne helps most people with allergies, but it may have unwanted effects in a few people. Like other medicines, Lorastyne can cause some side effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.
The most commonly reported unwanted events were:
- headache
- sleepiness
- fatigue
- dry mouth
Rare instances of hair loss was also reported.
Other unwanted effects may occur in some people taking Lorastyne.
After taking Lorastyne
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack in a dry place until it is time to take them. If you take your tablets out, they will not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not leave it in the car on hot days or on window sills. Keep it where children cannot reach it.
Disposal
If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking Lorastyne or the medicine has passed the expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product description
Lorastyne tablets can be bought without a doctor’s prescription.
What it looks like
Lorastyne tablets are small white tablets.
Ingredients
Lorastyne tablets contain:
loratadine 10 mg
maize starch
magnesium stearate
lactose
Lorastyne does not contain sucrose or gluten.
Sponsor
Bellwether Pharma Limited
Suite 1, Level 1, 1175 Toorak Rd
Camberwell VIC 3124
AUSTRALIA
Australian Registration Numbers
Tablets, 10’s, 30’s and 50’s AUST R 59231
Date of Preparation
November 2005
Published by MIMS April 2010