Allergy and cold
Loratadine
Second-generation antihistamine (non-sedating)
Other names: Claritin, Alavert
Wait
48 hours
ground trial after first use of any new medication
Examiner
The examiner can issue when the document's criteria are met
FAA label
ACCEPTABLE
The FAA's allergy sheet lists loratadine as an acceptable (non-sedating) antihistamine, which may be used as a single agent or in any combination product, if other certification criteria are met.
Track your medicationsCompare FAA documents: loratadineWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen
Under new medications, it says symptoms must be controlled without adverse side effects and a mandatory 48-hour ground trial is required after initial use; for acceptable medications, it says the initial observation time is not required (see chart below); and its footnote prohibits flight/safety-related duties after initial use of a new medication until after a 48-hour ground trial and no side effects are noted. The allergy sheet also says airmen who are exhibiting symptoms, regardless of the treatment used, must not fly.
The FAA's MedGuide names loratadine (Claritin) as allowed, for allergic rhinitis, with a wait of 48 hours after the first dose and none after later doses or after the final dose. The MedGuide defines allowed as acceptable for use while performing flight or safety-related duties, provided the condition is stable/aeromedically acceptable and no adverse side effects are present.
- 48 hours after the first dose: ground observation
Show the FAA's words: loratadineThe official FAA wording: six passages, each with its document and dateOpen
New medications:
Symptoms must be controlled without adverse side effects.
Initial observation time: Mandatory 48-hour ground trial required after initial use.
Acceptable medications:
Initial observation time: Not required for acceptable medications (see chart below).
ACCEPTABLE* (Non-Sedating) Antihistamine and Allergy Medications
May be used as a single agent or in any combination product, if other certification criteria are met.
Oral: Most Second-Generation Histamine-H1 receptor antagonists
desloratadine (Clarinex)
loratadine (Claritin)
fexofenadine (Allegra)
* Airmen are prohibited from flight/safety-related duties after initial use of a new medication until after a 48-hour ground trial and no side effects are noted.
Generic: loratadine
Brand Name: Claritin
Drug Class: Antihistamine (H1) Second Generation
Underlying Condition: Allergic rhinitis
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 48 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: Per label directions
Generic: fexofenadine
Brand Name: Allegra
Drug Class: Antihistamine (H1) Second Generation
Underlying Condition: Allergic rhinitis
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 48 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: Per label directions
Generic: desloratadine
Brand Name: Clarinex
Drug Class: Antihistamine (H1) Second Generation
Underlying Condition: Allergic rhinitis
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 48 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: As prescribed
ALLOWED: The medication is acceptable for use while performing flight or safety-related duties, provided the condition is stable/aeromedically acceptable and no adverse side effects are present.
Airmen who are exhibiting symptoms, regardless of the treatment used, must not fly.