Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Allergy Remedy
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
ALLERGY REM EDY provides:
- fast relief from symptoms of allergies, including sneezing, runny nose and itchy nose, as w ell as itchy w atery red burning eyes, caused by exposure to seasonal allergens (trees, grass, and ragw eed pollen) and perennial (year round) allergens (dust mites, animal dander and molds).
- fast relief of allergic skin conditions, such as skin itch and hives.
What it does:
A LLERGY REMEDY contains a long-acting antihistamine, w hich blocks the action of histamine and relieves allergy symptoms. Histamine is a chemical released by the immune system – the body's defence against invading substances – w hen the body is affected by substances that you are allergic to (allergens).
Most people w ill feel relief of allergy symptoms w ithin 2 hours of taking the medication.
Symptom relief will be maintained for 24 hours.
A LLERGY REMEDY does not cause drowsiness. It lets you stay alert and focused w hile relieving allergy symptoms.
When it should not be used:
ALLERGY REMEDY should not be used:
- if you are allergic to loratadine, desloratadine or to any of the other product ingredients (see What the nonmedicinal ingredients are).
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What the medicinal ingredient is: loratadine
What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose.
What dosage forms it comes in: Tablets. 10mg
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
BEFORE you use ALLERGY REMEDY talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- plan to become pregnant
- have kidney disease
- have liver disease as you may require a dose adjustment
Stop taking ALLERGY REMEDY 48 hours prior to any skin testing procedures.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
ALLERGY REMEDY may interact with drugs know n to reduce liver metabolism.
If you are taking any medication. it is important to ask your physician or pharmacist before taking ALLERGY REMEDY .
Alcohol has not been found to interact w ith ALLERGY REMEDY.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
ALLERGY REM EDY Table ts : Adults and children (12 years of age and older): One tablet daily, w ith w ater.
Adults and children (over 12 years of age) can take this medication f or up to 6 months .
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much ALLERGY REMEDY, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control |
| centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms |
Missed Dose:
If you miss taking your dose on time, do not w orry; take your dose when you remember. Do not exceed more than one dose in 24 hours.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
A long w ith its desired effects, A LLERGY REMEDY may cause undesirable effects.
Mild side ef f ects that may occur include f atigue, headache, dry mouth, sedation, stomach and digestive discomf ort such as gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) and nausea.
Uncommon side ef fects include: increase in appetite, coughing, and dizziness. Rarely , you may experience allergic reactions to the medication that may appear as a rash, sw elling or difficulty in breathing. Additionally, hair loss, abnormal liver f unction, and abnormally fast heart rate or heart palpitations may occur rarely. Convulsions and seizures may occur very rarely.
Uncommon side ef fects in children include nervousness and nervous ticks as w ell as side ef f ects involving the stomach or intestines.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | ||
Only if severe | In all cases | |||
| Common | Stomach di scomfort - i.e. gastritis (inflammation of the stom ach) | ✓ | ||
| Uncommon | Al l ergic reaction (rash, swel ling, di fficulty in breathing) | ✓ | ||
| Rare | Fast heart rate | ✓ | ||
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM |
|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
|---|---|---|---|
or heart pal pitations | |||
Li ver dysfunction _ dysf unctio n | ✓ | ||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking ALLERGY REM EDY, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Store betw een 15°C and 30°C. Protect from exposure to excessive moisture. Keep in a safe place out of reach and sight of children.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
MORE INFORMATION
If you want more information about ALLERGY REMEDY:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Consumer Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp). Find the Consumer Information on the
- manufacturer’s website (http://www.apotex.ca/products), or by calling 1-800-667-4708.
Ontario, M9L 1T9.