{"id":1065,"date":"2026-04-25T18:11:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T18:11:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rxzest.com\/en-za\/?p=1065"},"modified":"2026-05-13T11:05:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:05:49","slug":"lorfast-uses-dosage-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rxzest.com\/en-za\/lorfast-uses-dosage-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Lorfast in South Africa: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are taking LORFAST<\/strong>, you are using a medicine that helps relieve allergy symptoms. It contains loratadine<\/strong>, which is an antihistamine. Antihistamines help reduce the effects of histamine, a natural substance your body releases during an allergic reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may use LORFAST for hay fever<\/strong>, other allergies<\/strong>, or chronic urticaria<\/strong>, which is a long-lasting hive-like rash. In South Africa, LORFAST is listed as an S2 medicine<\/a><\/strong>, and the source describes it as sugar free<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick facts:<\/strong> If you are an adult, the usual dose is one tablet once daily<\/strong>. LORFAST is not expected to make you drowsy at the recommended dose, but very rarely, some people may feel sleepy. You should first see how it affects you before driving, using tools, or operating machinery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What it is and what it is used for<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

LORFAST contains the active ingredient loratadine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loratadine is an antihistamine<\/strong>. This means it helps your body deal with symptoms caused by allergies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may use LORFAST for relief of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Hay fever<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Other types of allergy<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Chronic urticaria<\/strong>, which is a persistent hive-like rash<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The tablet strength is not specified in the source<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How it works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When you have an allergic reaction, your body releases a substance called histamine<\/strong>. Histamine can cause allergy symptoms and skin reactions such as hives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    LORFAST helps by blocking the effects of histamine. In everyday terms, it helps calm your body\u2019s allergy response so that symptoms linked to hay fever, other allergies, or chronic urticaria may improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Who should NOT use this medicine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Do not use LORFAST if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Are allergic to loratadine<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in LORFAST<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to antihistamines<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Have porphyria<\/strong>, a rare blood pigment disorder<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Warning:<\/strong> If you are unsure whether you have reacted badly to an antihistamine before, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking LORFAST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Warnings and precautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Before using LORFAST, it is important to think about your health history. Certain conditions may affect whether this medicine is suitable for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Speak to a healthcare professional first if you have certain conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Before taking LORFAST, tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Have liver disease<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Have kidney disease<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Have emphysema, described in the source as shortness of breath with a cough<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Have an enlarged prostate<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Have narrow angle glaucoma, which means high pressure in the eye<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Have heart problems<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Have a history of seizures<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Suffer from acute asthma attacks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        These conditions do not always mean you cannot take LORFAST, but they should be discussed with a healthcare professional before use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Allergy skin testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        If you are going for allergy skin tests, do not take LORFAST for 48 hours before the test<\/strong>. LORFAST may affect the results of the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Driving, machines, and alertness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        At the recommended dose, LORFAST is not expected to make you drowsy or reduce your alertness. However, very rarely, some people may feel drowsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Before driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that needs full concentration, check how you feel after taking it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Warning:<\/strong> You may experience sedation if you take alcohol or other central nervous system depressants while using LORFAST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Do not share your medicine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Even if someone else has allergy symptoms, do not give them your LORFAST. Their medical situation may be different from yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Pregnancy, planning pregnancy, and breastfeeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or another healthcare professional before taking LORFAST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        As a precaution, it is preferable to avoid LORFAST during pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Do not take LORFAST if you are breastfeeding, because loratadine passes into breast milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Planning pregnancy and fertility: Not specified in the source.<\/strong> Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Interactions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Interactions can happen when one medicine or substance affects how another medicine works. This may increase the chance of side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Other medicines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken, or may take any other medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Prescription medicines<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Medicines bought without a prescription<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Complementary medicines<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Traditional medicines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          The side effects of LORFAST may increase if it is taken with medicines that affect certain liver enzymes involved in breaking down medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Cimetidine<\/strong>, used to reduce stomach acid<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Ketoconazole<\/strong>, used for fungal infections<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Clarithromycin<\/strong>, an antibiotic used for bacterial infections<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Erythromycin<\/strong>, an antibiotic used for bacterial infections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Alcohol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            LORFAST has been shown to add to the effects of an alcoholic drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            This means you should be careful with alcohol while taking LORFAST, especially until you know how the medicine affects you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Allergy tests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            LORFAST may affect allergy skin test results. If you are having allergy skin tests, do not take LORFAST for 48 hours before the test<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            Whether LORFAST should be taken with or without food is not specified in the source<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            How to take<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Use LORFAST exactly as your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse has explained, or as directed with the medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Step-by-step<\/h3>\n\n\n\n