Alarin uses, dosage, side effects and composition

Description of Alarin tablets and syrup

Alarin tablets are white, oblong uncoated tablet, with shallow convex. It belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines.

It is therefore used in all cases where histamines are released due to mast cells activation.

Alarin Syrup on the other hand is a homogeneous formulation containing loratadine as its active ingredient.

Composition of Aerotina

Alarin tablets and syrup contain Loratadine as its active ingredient. In addition to this, they also contain inactive ingredients called excipients in sufficient quantities.

Actions And Pharmacology

Alarin, a piperidine derivative related to azatadine, is a long-acting, non-sedating tricyclic antihistamine with selective peripheral H1-receptor antagonist activity, with no significant sedative or antimuscarnic activity.

Loratadine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. Peak plasma concentrations are being attained in about one hour.

Loratadine, which is 98% bound to plasma protein, undergoes extensive metabolism, mainly to descarboethoxyloratadine, which has potent antihistamine activity.

However, descarboethoxyloratadine is less extensively bound to plasma protein.

Loratadine and descarboethoxyloratadine have half-lives of 8.4 hours and 28 hours respectively.

Most of a dose is excrated equally in the urine and faeces, mainly in the form of metabolites.

Uses of Alarin tablets and syrup

Alarin is used for the relief of symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis, such as sneezing, nasal discharge (minorrhea) and Itching, and ocular itching and burning.

It is also indicated for the relief of symptoms and signs of chronic urticaria and other allergic dermatological disorders.

Contraindications of Alarin

Risk-benefit should be considered when the following medical problems exist:

  • bladder neck obstruction
  • Prostatic trypertrophy
  • Urinary retention
  • Glaucoma, or
  • Sensitivity to loratadine or any of the formulation excipients

Warning and Precautions

Precaution should be exercised when administering loratadine to patients with severe hepatic impairment as reduced clearance of loratadine may occur.

Patients sensitive to one of the antihistamines may be sensitive to others.

Use in Pregnancy & Lactation

The safe use of Alarin in pregnancy has not been established.

Small amounts of loratadine are excreted in breast milk and therefore risk-benefit should be considered due to the increased risk of antihistamines on infants.

Side Effects of Aerotina tablets and syrup

Sedative and anticholinergic effects are not likely.

Events of fatigue, nauses and headache were reported rarely

Spontaneous adverse events reported rarely include alopecia, anaphylaxis, and abnommal hepatic function.

Drug Interactions

Concomitant therapy with drugs that inhibit or are metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P450, 3A4 and/or 2D6 may elevate plasma concentrations of either drug and adverse effects might result.

Increased plasma concentrations of loratadine have been reported when used concomitantly with ketoconazole, erythromycin and cimetidine

Overdosage

Symptoms of overdosage which includes somnolence, tachycandia and headache have been reported.

Treatment of overdosage

In the event of overdosage, treatment which should be started immediately is symptomatic and supportive.

The patient should be induced to vomit, even if amesis has occurred spontaneously, but not in patients with impaired consciousness.

Administration of activated charcoal as a slurry with water may be attempted following emesis.

If vomiting is unsuccessful or contraindicated, gastric lavage should be performed.

Alarin Dosage and Administration

Usual adult and adolescent dose

  • Oral, 10 mg once daily.

Usual geriatric dose

  • Oral: 10 mg once daily. (Note: Geriatric patients may be more sensitive to the effects of the adult dose)

Patients with severe liver impairment

  • Due to the possibility of a reduced clearance of loratadine, a lower dose should be administered, i.e an initial dose of 5 mg once daily, or 10 mg on alternate days is recommended.

Children: 

  • 2 to 5 years: 5ml once daily
  • 6 to 12 years: 10 ml once daily

Storage:

  • Store Alarin below 25°C.
  • Protect from moisture and direct sunlight.

Note: The information given here is limited. For further information, consult your doctor or pharmacist

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