Pharmacy and Medications

Is it Safe to Take More Than One Alavert Pill a Day?

06/11/2008

Question:

I think I have an allergy to mold as all the symptoms seem to fit and I live in a basement that floods when it rains. It has been raining for a whole week and I feel like I have been living in my own bubble, and my symptoms have gotten worse. I have some alavert medicine here. The recommendation is to take one pill a day. I want to take two pills as I am very frustrated with my symptoms. I want to know if this is a safe. Alavert contains: Loratadine 10mg and also phenylalanine-8.4 mg. I am a 22 year old female. I am in good health, am not overweight, don`t smoke or have liver damage. Over a year ago I stopped taking Accutane. The back of the Alavert box says that taking more than the recommended amount may cause drowsiness. I don't mind drowsiness as I am trying to go to sleep now anyways. How much can I take of this over the counter drug?

Answer:

Alavert is a one once daily medicine. You should not take more than 10 mg of loratadine in any 24 hour period.

If this product is not working, contact your doctor. There are lots of prescription treatment options available. You may require a prescription strength antihistamine or other therapy. Make sure you mention that your having a hard time falling asleep.

Thank you for your question.

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Response by:

Jill RK Griffith, RPh, PharmD, CSPI
Clinical Assistant Professor
Central Ohio Poison Center
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
College of Pharmacy
The Ohio State University