Loratadine (Claritin) Pediatric Dose Calculator
Label dose by age, once daily: 5 mg at 2 to under 6 years and 10 mg from 6 years; under 2 years ask a doctor. The calculator gives a weight-based estimate in mL; check it against the age dose.
Children's Claritin dosing
Need children's Claritin dosing by age or form?
Loratadine is the generic version of Claritin. These pages help with the label chart, product forms and comparisons with other daily allergy medicines.
Claritin dosing chart
See the label age chart for Children's Claritin liquid and chewables.
Liquid and chewable guide
Review once-daily timing, measuring and product-form details for children.
Compare common antihistamines
See how loratadine fits with other common allergy medicines used in kids.
Compare with cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Open cetirizine to compare a closely related daily antihistamine.
Compare with fexofenadine (Allegra)
Open fexofenadine when the goal is another lower-drowsiness daytime allergy option.
label dose by age
How the loratadine dose is worked out
The FDA labels set the loratadine dose by age, not weight. The calculator has no age field: it gives a weight-based estimate, and its caps use a weight band that stands in for age (about 20 kg for 6 years). A child who is heavy or light for their age can get a different dose from the label dose, so always use the age dose.
Formula
Calculator: mL per dose = (weight in kg × mg/kg/day), capped by weight band, ÷ 1 mg per mL. Use the label dose for the child's age when it differs.
Worked example
A 5-year-old weighing 22 kg at 0.25 mg/kg/day: the calculator gives 5.5 mg, more than the 5 mg daily maximum for 2 to under 6 years. A 7-year-old weighing 18 kg: the calculator gives 4.5 mg, but the label dose from 6 years is 10 mg. Use the age dose.
Safety checks before using the result
- Ask a doctor first with liver or kidney disease (labels).
- Do not combine with other antihistamines unless a clinician directs it.
- Get emergency care for swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or trouble breathing.
Practical dosing guide
Before you measure the dose
Use this page to match the child's age, product form, and once-daily plan before giving loratadine.
- 5 mg/5 mL liquid
- US liquid is 5 mg/5 mL (1 mg/mL): 5 mg is 5 mL and 10 mg is 10 mL.
- Chewable
- Children's Claritin chewables are 5 mg: one at 2 to under 6 years, two from 6 years.
- Tablet
- Check the strength on the package before giving a tablet: the label dose from 6 years is 10 mg once daily.
Loratadine pediatric medication summary
Loratadine (Claritin) pediatric dose by age from the FDA label: 5 mg once daily at 2 to under 6 years and 10 mg once daily from 6 years, with mL for 5 mg/5 mL liquid. Under 2 years, ask a doctor.
Dose by age, once daily: 5 mg at 2 to under 6 years, 10 mg from 6 years (labels).
US liquid is 1 mg/mL (5 mg/5 mL), so each mg is 1 mL. Children's chewables are 5 mg each.
Loratadine indications and common pediatric uses
What the US labels cover for loratadine in children, and where guidelines place it.
Hay fever and other upper respiratory allergies
Hay fever and other upper respiratory allergies: Give once daily.
Hives (urticaria)
Hives (urticaria): Hives that last more than 6 weeks are called chronic urticaria; see a clinician.
How to give Loratadine
- How to measure and give loratadine to children safely.
- Use only the enclosed dosing cup for liquid (label). Chew or crush chewable tablets completely before swallowing (label).
- Give it at the same time each day.
Loratadine side effects, contraindications, and interactions
Loratadine is generally well tolerated. MedlinePlus lists headache, drowsiness and tiredness as side effects.
Common side effects
- Common: headache, drowsiness, tiredness (MedlinePlus).
- Taking more than directed may cause drowsiness (labels).
- Stop and get help right away for rash, hives, trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
Safety checks
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or trouble breathing: Possible allergic reaction.
Drug interactions
- Review the full medication list with a clinician or pharmacist before combining therapies.
Loratadine mechanism and clinical pearls
Loratadine is an antihistamine: it blocks the action of histamine, which causes allergy symptoms.
The labels set the loratadine dose by age
5 mg at 2 to under 6 years, 10 mg from 6 years. Convert mg to mL with the bottle strength (1 mg/mL in the US).
Children's chewables are 5 mg (one at 2 to under 6 years, two from 6 years); 10 mg chewables are one tablet from 6 years only (labels).
The international urticaria guideline recommends a second-generation antihistamine such as loratadine as first-line treatment for hives, including in children.
Dermatology guidelines do not recommend non-sedating antihistamines for atopic dermatitis unless hives or hay fever are also present.
Frequently asked questions about Loratadine
It depends on age, once daily: 2 to under 6 years, 5 mg (5 mL of liquid or one 5 mg chewable), no more than 5 mg in 24 hours; 6 years and older, 10 mg (10 mL or two 5 mg chewables), no more than 10 mg in 24 hours. Under 2 years, ask a doctor.
No. The label doses loratadine by age. The calculator above works from weight and caps the result using weight bands that stand in for age (20 kg for 6 years), so check it against the age dose.
Yes. Claritin is a brand of loratadine. Store brands contain the same medicine, but check the strength on the package.
US loratadine liquid is 5 mg/5 mL (1 mg/mL), so 5 mg is 5 mL and 10 mg is 10 mL. Use the enclosed dosing cup.
Only if a doctor directs it. The labels say to ask a doctor for children under 2 years.
It can. The labels warn that taking more than directed may cause drowsiness, and MedlinePlus lists drowsiness and tiredness as side effects.
Some do. The Children's Claritin chewable labels include a phenylketonuria (PKU) warning; check the package if your child has PKU.
Not as a routine treatment. Dermatology guidelines do not recommend non-sedating antihistamines for eczema (atopic dermatitis) unless the child also has hives or hay fever.
Do not combine it with other antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine) unless a clinician says to. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine your child takes.
Sources reviewed for Loratadine
Children's Claritin Allergy (loratadine) oral solution – Drug Facts
DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
SourceChildren's Claritin Chewables 5 mg (loratadine) – Drug Facts
DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
SourceDykewicz MS, et al. Rhinitis 2020: A practice parameter update. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;146(4):721-767.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
SourceZuberbier T, et al. The international EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria. Allergy. 2022;77(3):734-766.
Allergy (Wiley)
SourceLoratadine – MedlinePlus Drug Information
MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
SourceSidbury R, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: section 3. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(2):327-349.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Source