Loratidine? (Jerry-Can You Help)?

Lately I have been troubled by symptoms of BOTH depression and mild hypomania, sleeplessness, listlessness, etc. I just realized that I started taking loratadine (generic Claritin, NOT -D) a few weeks ago maybe once a day for allergy-type symptoms. I do not normally suffer from drug side effects, but here are the possible psychiatric side effects listed for loratadine: Agitation, amnesia, anxiety, confusion, decreased libido, depression, impaired concentration, insomnia, irritability, paroniria.

From this list I can see that loratadine could be responsible for the symptoms I have been experiencing. I also know that these lists often represent extremely rare side effects. My question is, should I stop taking the loratadine, and if so, with what should I replace it? (Pseudoephedrine-based antihistamines are not a good option...I would definitely exhibit symptoms of mania if I took them for any period of time). Or, do I need to see about a change to my bipolar drug regimen for which I take lithium carbonate, Lamictal and trazodone? (I don't currently take any other meds).

I would sure appreciate any help any of you can offer...

Peace,
DJ

That's an interesting suspicion about loratadine - will bear that in mind in the future when recommending antihistamines.

The two other oral non-drowsy antihistamines available here (non pseudoephedrine based) are fexofenadine (Allegra) and certirazine (Zyrtec) - I believe that these both require a prescription in the States and can be quite expensive but from what I can see on online pharmacy sites, there seem to be generic versions available that aren't too dear. Fexofenadine doesn't have any CNS/psych side effects listed and doesn't have the "10% likelihood of drowsiness" that Zyrtec does.

The other options are local treatments - a steroid nasal spray (eg. budesonide, fluticasone, triamcinolone are all available over the counter as nasal sprays here, with stronger versions available on prescriptions) and/or antihistamine eye drops (eg. levocabastine, pheniramine) can help significantly with symptoms and are far less likely to cause either interactions with your medications or any psych side effects.

I think the regulations are a bit tighter on these drugs in the US (probably because we have such high allergy rates in Australia that doctors would spend their whole lives writing scripts for these things!) so you'd probably need a prescription for most of them but there are definitely lots more options to try.

Talked to a pharmacist at my local Walgreen's-she thought it isn't an issue, and I tend to agree. She said the list I was working off of is the "less than 1%" list, and that she couldn't recall ever having seen such problems.

I just want to be sure that I'm not treaing a reaction to a medicine with bipolar drugs. BTW, the doctor increased my lithium dosage a bit, and while it's only been two days, I believe that things are getting better, so I guess that answers that!

Thanks for your input...

DJ

Hey DJ -- I've almost died twice from being in the "less than 1 percent" category -- 1 percent of millions is a heckuva lot of people with problems!

I'm sure your luck isn't as bad as mine, though .

Candy

I know that you have had extroardinarily bad fortune with meds, CB---that's why I have been so cautious.

So far, I seem OK, and maybe feel a little better, mentally, though I feel pretty crummy from the allergy/cold/whatever it is.

Thanks for carin"!

DJ

I guess I am one of those 1% for Loratidine. I never looked at the list of side effects b/c it was the only med I was taking when I felt like I almost couldn't stop moving even though I didn't feel like doing anything. And at night I would get restless legs all night and feel like I needed to run instead of sleep (and I'm not a runner). I tried it several times, hoping to get allergy relief, but it was never worth the side effects.

I've taken Zyrtec without a problem.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
DaveyJones said:
Lately I have been troubled by symptoms of BOTH depression and mild hypomania, sleeplessness, listlessness, etc. I just realized that I started taking loratadine (generic Claritin, NOT -D) a few weeks ago maybe once a day for allergy-type symptoms. I do not normally suffer from drug side effects, but here are the possible psychiatric side effects listed for loratadine: Agitation, amnesia, anxiety, confusion, decreased libido, depression, impaired concentration, insomnia, irritability, paroniria.

From this list I can see that loratadine could be responsible for the symptoms I have been experiencing. I also know that these lists often represent extremely rare side effects. My question is, should I stop taking the loratadine, and if so, with what should I replace it? (Pseudoephedrine-based antihistamines are not a good option...I would definitely exhibit symptoms of mania if I took them for any period of time). Or, do I need to see about a change to my bipolar drug regimen for which I take lithium carbonate, Lamictal and trazodone? (I don't currently take any other meds).

I would sure appreciate any help any of you can offer...

Peace,
DJ

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Hey DJ

Did you notice these symptoms appearing soon after starting the Claritin? You are correct - that the side effects are low occurrences - but they do occur. I've not read much about Claritin causing any hypomania - or other symptoms you've described - however that doesn't mean it's not the cause.

I would talk to your doctor before stopping or starting meds - but you could experiment and stop the Claritin to see if your symptoms get better. If not - then perhaps your other meds need adjusting.

If Claritin doesn't work for you - you may want to talk to your doctor about meds like Allegra and Nasonex.

Hope this helps
Jerry

I did talk to my doctor and he prescribed enough lithium to raise me 300mg/day to 1800mg/day til my next visit. I feel better, too, so I guess that was it.

I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't treating a side effect of Claritin with lithium...YIKES!

DJ