Is loratadine non-drowsy?

Yes, that is its main advantage. Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine, designed to relieve allergies without the heavy drowsiness caused by older ones like chlorpheniramine (Piriton) or promethazine. Most people can take it in the daytime and still work, study, or drive normally. A small minority do feel slightly sleepy, so it is sensible to see how it affects you the first time before driving — but for the great majority it is genuinely non-drowsy.

What is the difference between loratadine and cetirizine?

Both are non-drowsy, once-daily antihistamines and both relieve the same allergy symptoms. The main difference is that cetirizine is a little more likely to cause mild drowsiness in some people but is sometimes felt to be slightly stronger for itching and hives, while loratadine is among the least sedating. In practice they are both good options; if one does not control your symptoms or makes you a bit sleepy, it is reasonable to try the other. A pharmacist can help you choose.

Can I take loratadine every day for harmattan allergies?

Yes. Loratadine is safe to take once daily for as long as your allergy symptoms last, including right through the harmattan season when dust triggers ongoing sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. Because it is non-drowsy, daily use does not usually interfere with normal activities. If daily loratadine alone does not fully control your symptoms, a pharmacist may suggest adding a steroid nasal spray or trying another antihistamine. Simple measures — keeping windows closed on dusty days, and rinsing the nose — help too.

How much does loratadine cost in Nigeria?

Loratadine is inexpensive. Generic loratadine often costs just a few hundred naira for a small pack, while the branded Claritin (Bayer) costs more, up to a few thousand naira. Syrup for children is similarly affordable. Because it is cheap, effective, and non-drowsy, it is a practical everyday allergy medicine. As always, buy the NAFDAC-registered product from a pharmacy rather than loose tablets from an unverified seller.

Loratadine (Claritin) Price in Nigeria (July 2026): ₦200–₦3,000

Key Facts

Drug Class: Second-generation antihistamine
Prescription: Over the counter
NAFDAC Status: NAFDAC Registered
Forms: Tablet, Syrup
Online price: ~₦275see prices
WHO Essential: Yes

What is Loratadine?

Loratadine is a popular non-drowsy antihistamine used to relieve allergies. Sold as Claritin, Lorfast, and generic loratadine, it is taken once a day and is a common choice for the sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes of allergic rhinitis, as well as for hives and itchy skin. In Nigeria it is especially useful during the harmattan, when dry, dusty winds trigger widespread allergy symptoms.

Loratadine belongs to the newer, 'second-generation' antihistamines. Like all antihistamines it blocks histamine, the chemical the body releases during an allergic reaction that causes sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. Its advantage over older antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and promethazine is that it causes much less drowsiness, so most people can take it during the day and still work, study, or drive normally.

Loratadine is available without a prescription and is very safe for most people, including for regular use during allergy seasons. It is taken once daily and starts to work within an hour or two. It is not the right medicine for a severe, sudden allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which is an emergency needing adrenaline and urgent care. For everyday allergies, though, it is an effective, convenient, and affordable option. Check for a NAFDAC registration number when buying.

What is Loratadine used for?

In Nigeria, Loratadine is commonly used for:

Allergic rhinitis (hay-fever-type symptoms) — sneezing, runny or itchy nose, itchy watery eyes
Dust and harmattan-related allergy symptoms
Hives (urticaria) and allergic itching
A daytime, non-drowsy option for ongoing allergy control
Mild allergic skin reactions

Dosage

IMPORTANT

Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.

Adults

The usual dose is 10mg once a day, with or without food. One tablet daily is enough — taking more does not improve allergy relief. It can be taken for as long as symptoms last, including through an allergy season.

Children

Children over 6 years (or above about 30kg) usually take the adult 10mg once daily; younger children (2-6 years) take a lower dose, typically 5mg once daily as syrup. Follow the label or a pharmacist's advice, and do not use in children under 2 without medical guidance.

Elderly

The standard dose is suitable; a lower dose may be used in significant liver or kidney impairment.

Loratadine works within an hour or two and lasts all day. If it does not control your symptoms, a pharmacist can advise — sometimes cetirizine or adding a steroid nasal spray helps. Although it is 'non-drowsy', a small number of people do feel a little sleepy, so see how it affects you before driving. It is not a treatment for a severe allergic reaction with swelling of the throat or difficulty breathing — that is an emergency.

Side Effects

Common side effects

•Headache
•Occasionally mild drowsiness or tiredness (much less than older antihistamines)
•Dry mouth
•Nervousness or difficulty sleeping in some people (more in children)

Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately

Signs of a serious allergic reaction to the medicine itself: rash, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing
A fast or irregular heartbeat (rare)

When to see a doctor

See a doctor or pharmacist if your allergy symptoms are severe, persistent, or not controlled by loratadine, or if you have wheezing or breathing difficulty (which may point to asthma). Seek emergency care for any sign of a severe allergic reaction — swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, or collapse — which loratadine cannot treat.

Warnings & Precautions

Do not take Loratadine if you have:

Use a reduced dose in severe liver disease
Avoid in children under 2 years unless advised by a doctor
Do not use if you are allergic to loratadine
It is not a substitute for emergency treatment of a severe allergic reaction

Drug interactions

•Loratadine has few significant interactions at normal doses
•Alcohol and other sedating medicines could add slightly to any drowsiness
•Certain medicines that affect liver enzymes may raise loratadine levels, usually without problems

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Loratadine is one of the antihistamines generally considered acceptable in pregnancy and breastfeeding when an antihistamine is needed, but as with any medicine in pregnancy it is best to check with a pharmacist or doctor first and use it only if necessary.

Brands of Loratadine in Nigeria

The NAFDAC registry holds 43 Loratadine products from 35 manufacturers, including combination products and older listings whose status you can check in the full list. Below are some of the most common brands — see the full, searchable list for all of them.

Brand Name	Manufacturer	Strength	Form
Claritin	Bayer	10mg	Tablet
Lorfast	Ranbaxy / Sun Pharma	10mg	Tablet
Loratadine	Various generic manufacturers	10mg, 5mg/5ml	Tablet

See all 43 registered Loratadine brands

How to Verify Your Loratadine is Genuine

1Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack and verify it on the NAFDAC Green Book or app
2Buy from a licensed pharmacy or registered outlet
3Check the expiry date and that the packaging is sealed and untampered
4Genuine tablets should be uniform; discard any that look irregular
5For Claritin (Bayer) or Lorfast, check the manufacturer branding and batch number; for generics, confirm the manufacturer

Use our NAFDAC Checker tool

Loratadine Price in Nigeria

As of July 2026, Loratadine sells for about ₦275 online in Nigeria (₦200–₦350) across MedPlus. Open-market prices (e.g. Idumota, Ogbogwu) are often lower.

Online retail (sampled)

MedPlus

₦200 – ₦350median ₦275

From 2 listings across MedPlus — brands and pack sizes vary · updated July 2026.

Price trend

We've tracked Loratadine online prices since July 2026 — median ₦275 (range ₦200–₦350, from 2 listings). This updates monthly, and the month-on-month trend will appear here — see the Nigerian Medicine Price Index for prices across all tracked drugs.

Where to Buy

Purchase Loratadine only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors. Avoid buying medicines from unverified sources, roadside vendors, or unregistered market stalls.

Before you buy, verify the product's NAFDAC registration and check the current online prices above so you know a fair price before you pay.

Buying Loratadine in bulk or for resale? Our guide on how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely covers verifying a supplier and spotting fakes before a large order.

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Related Resources for Loratadine

Guides, articles, and tools related to Loratadine and other allergy medicines in Nigeria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

•NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Loratadine on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
•WHO Model List of Essential Medicines — Loratadine is included in the WHO's list of essential medicines, meaning it is considered essential for basic healthcare needs.
•British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Loratadine.
•Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).

Last updated: 22 July 2026

Loratadine