Flonidan – composition, dosage and effect of the drug for allergies

Proven content

Flonidan is a drug used to relieve the symptoms of allergies. The active substance of this drug, loratadine, inhibits the activity of histamine, thus demonstrating an antiallergic effect. Flonidan primarily reduces symptoms such as itching, redness, swelling and nasal discharge. How to dose Flonidan correctly? What are the contraindications to the use of Flonidan? Can its use cause side effects in a patient? How much does a pack of Flonidan cost?

Flonidan – general characteristics of the drug

Flonidan is an antiallergic drug. The active substance of the preparation is loratadine, the main property of which is the inhibition of histamine activity. Flonidan is available in pharmacies only upon presentation of a prescription. Only Flonidan Control can be purchased without a prescription.

The available variants of Flonidan are:

1. tablets 10 mg, 10 pieces;
2. tablets 10 mg, 30 pieces;
3. tablets 10 mg, 60 pieces;
4. tablets 10 mg, 90 pieces;
5. oral suspension 1 mg / ml, 120 ml.

Flonidan tablets are white to off-white, round, with a breakline on one side for easy breaking. The tablets can be divided into equal halves. The drug is packed in PVC / Aluminum foil blisters in a cardboard box.

Flonidan oral suspension instead, it is homogeneous, white or almost white. The medicine is available in an amber glass bottle with a HDPE screw cap (with an LDPE sealing insert) and in a cardboard box. A measuring spoon is included in the package.

The responsible entity is Sandoz GmbH, a world leader in the generic and biosimilar drugs market.

The concern, which is popular today, started its activity as a small chemical company. Its origins date back to 1886. The company was founded in Basel, Switzerland, and was involved in the production of dyes. Within 10 years, it was possible to develop and produce the first pharmaceutical substance, i.e. antipyrine. In 1929, Calcium Sandoz, a preparation that became a breakthrough drug in modern calcium therapy, was introduced to the market. To this day, it is one of the most recognizable preparations of the Sandoz GmbH concern.

How to recognize and treat an allergy? Check: Allergy

Flonidan – composition and action of the drug

The antiallergic effect of Flonidan is due to its active substance, i.e. loratadine. It is a second-generation antihistamine drug. The mechanism of action of loratadine is based on blocking the binding of histamine with receptors.

To properly understand the effects of loratadine, it is important to understand the role and effects of histamine. Histamine is an amine that occurs naturally in our body. This amine is involved in the formation of inflammatory processes. It is called an inflammatory mediator. Histamine is produced, among others, by in the lungs, nasal and stomach mucosa and skin.

Histamine works by stimulating histamine receptors, which leads to contraction of smooth muscles, including bronchitis or increase the permeability of venous vessels. The consequences of this action are swelling, blisters or other skin changes, itching and pain.

It is worth mentioning that geloratadine, through a strong and selective blocking of peripheral histamine receptors, inhibits those processes that arise in the early phase of the inflammatory reaction.

A common side effect of the use of antiallergic drugs is a general feeling of tiredness and sleepiness. Medicines containing loratadine, including just Flonidan, are not burdened with this side effect. Loratadine only slightly penetrates the central nervous system, which is why it does not have a sedative effect and does not make the patient drowsy.

Loratadine is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. The onset of action occurs approximately 30 minutes after administration, maximum after approximately 4-6 hours and lasts up to 24 hours. It is metabolized in the liver. The biological half-life of loratadine is approximately 8 hours. In case of renal or hepatic insufficiency, and in elderly patients, the duration of the drug’s action is prolonged.

The other ingredients of the drug are corn starch, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and pregelatinized starch.

In the case of Flonidan in suspension, the excipients include polysorbate 80, citric acid monohydrate, sodium citrate dihydrate, sodium benzoate, Avicel RC 591 FMC (sodium carboxymethyl starch and microcrystalline cellulose), sucrose, cherry flavor (including coumarin), glycerol , propylene glycol and purified water.

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Flonidan – indications for the use of the drug

Flonidan is primarily used to reduce allergy symptoms. It is therefore indicated in the treatment of symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis such as sneezing, swelling of the nasal mucosa, runny nose, itching and burning eyes. Flonidan is also indicated for the treatment of symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria.

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Flonidan – contraindications to the use of the drug

Flonidan, despite its effectiveness in reducing allergy symptoms, cannot be used by all patients struggling with these ailments.

Flonidan should not be administered to patients who are allergic (hypersensitive) to the active substance (loratadine) or any of the other ingredients of the medicine.

Flonidan tablets and suspension are not intended for children under 2 years of age or for children weighing less than 30 kg.

How is an e-visit to an allergist? Read on: Allergy under control. How to prepare for an e-visit to an allergist?

Flonidan – precautions

Before and during the use of Flonidan, follow the precautions contained in the package leaflet.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for cases such as:

1. the drug is used for a long time; 
2. after taking Flonidan, allergy symptoms do not improve or get worse; 
3. you have severe liver problems. 

It is also worth remembering that Flonidan should be discontinued at least 2 days before allergic skin tests are performed, as it may mask the symptoms of hypersensitivity and inhibit or weaken the positive reaction to allergens detected by these tests. After the examination, the drug can be taken as before.

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Flonidan – dosage and method of use

Always use Flonidan exactly as described in the package leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

The correct dose for Flonidan tablets for adults and children over 12 years of age is one tablet (1 mg) once a day. The dose for children 10 to 2 years of age (weighing more than 12 kg) is also 30 tablet (1 mg) once a day. In children weighing less than 10 kg, the use of 30 mg tablets is not recommended.

For children from 2 to 12 years of age, it is recommended to use Flonidan oral suspension.

For adults and children over 12 years of age, the appropriate dose of Flonidan suspension is 2 measuring spoons (10 mg) once a day.

For children 2 to 12 years of age, the dosage depends on body weight:

1. children weighing more than 30 kg: 2 measuring spoons (10 mg) once a day;
2. children weighing less than 30 kg: 1 measuring spoon (5 mg) once a day. 

Contact your doctor immediately if you have taken too many tablets or drunk too much suspension. Overdosing may cause drowsiness, headache and increased heart rate.

If, on the other hand, you forget to take your medicine at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

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Flonidan – side effects

The drug Flonidan, like any other drug, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

The use of Flonidan may cause side effects in some patients. Their frequency and severity depends on the individual predispositions of the patient.

Among common side effects after taking Flonidan indicated:

1. headaches;
2. increased sleepiness;
3. nervousness.

Uncommonly after the use of Flonidan has been reported:

1. insomnia;
2. increase in appetite.

However, such side effects have been reported very rarely after the use of Flonidan how:

1. hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema and anaphylaxis;
2. seizures;
3. dizziness;
4. palpitations;
5. tachycardia;
6. dry mouth;
7. gastritis;
8. nausea;
9. liver dysfunction;
10. rash;
11. excessive fatigue;
12. alopecia.

A side effect of unknown frequency is weight gain.

Very rarely, cardiac arrhythmias and fainting have been reported in patients taking the drug suspension. The glycerol contained in the suspension in large amounts can cause headache as well as stomach upset and diarrhea.

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Flonidan – interactions with other drugs

Before starting treatment with Flonidan, please inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking or have taken recently. You should also inform what medications the patient plans to take in the near future.

This is especially true of drugs such as:

1. cimetidine – a medicine used to reduce the production of acid in the stomach;  
2. ketoconazole or fluconazole – medicines to treat fungal infections;
3. erythromycin – an antibiotic; 
4. fluoxetine – a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders.

Which drugs should never be combined with each other? Check: Dangerous interactions.

Flonidan and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Flonidan.

Although loratadine has not been shown to be harmful to the fetus or newborn baby, as a precautionary measure, use of Flonidan in pregnant women should be avoided. Loratadine passes into breast milk, therefore the use of Flonidan during breastfeeding is not recommended.

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Flonidan – substitutes and similar products

Products that have the same international name and exist in the same form do not have to be substitutes, because the use of a given drug is determined by the content of the active substance, i.e. the dose of the drug.

It should be remembered that even when the dose of the active substance is similar, the patient may not always use the substitute, because he may be allergic to any of the other excipients of the drug.

Therefore, before using a substitute for Floidan, read the package leaflet or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The following products are in the same form as Flonidan tablets and contain loratadine:

1. Aleric Lora;
2. Claritine;
3. Claritine Allergy;
4. Loratadyna;
5. Loratadine Galena;
6. Loratadyna Pylox;
7. Loratadine Galpharm;
8. Loratadine — 1a Pharma;
9. Loratadyna Egis.

The following products are different from the Flonidan tablets, but contain loratadine:

1. Claritine in syrup;
2. Loratan in capsules;
3. Loratan in syrup;
4. Loratan pro in capsules;
5. Claritine Allergy in syrup;
6. Rotadin in syrup.

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Flonidan — cena

The price of the drug Flonidan may differ depending on the city in which the preparation will be purchased or the pharmacy chosen by the patient. The price of the product also depends on the form of the drug and the number of tablets contained in the package.

The price of the drug Flonidan in tablets:

1. 10 mg tablets, 10 pieces – about PLN 10;
2. 10 mg tablets, 30 tablets – approx. PLN 16, after reimbursement approx. PLN 7;
3. 10 mg tablets, 60 tablets – approx. PLN 30, after reimbursement approx. PLN 12;
4. 10 mg tablets, 90 pieces – about PLN 47, after a refund of about PLN 20.

The price of the drug Flonidan in oral suspension it is about 12 zlotys, while after reimbursement it is about 5 zlotys.

The price of the drug Flonidan after refund it follows that the drug is dispensed for a payment of 30% up to the limit in all registered indications, and additionally in the case of atopic dermatitis, food allergy, anaphylactic reaction in all patients over 2 years of age.

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