The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7165 p337-341
15 September 2001

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Loratadine prescription packs to be withdrawn

Prescription packs of loratadine (Clarityn) are to be withdrawn in December. Schering Plough hopes that loratadine will be substituted with desloratadine (Neoclarityn), which was launched earlier this year. Desloratadine is the primary active metabolite of loratadine.

A spokeswoman for the company denied that the reason for the withdrawal of loratadine was the fact that the patent on the drug expires next year. She told The Journal on September 10: “It would be ridiculous to say that it was not a consideration but it is not the reason. The reasons for the withdrawal are that desloratadine is a better product than loratadine and that it does not make commercial sense for Schering Plough to market both products.”

Prescription packs of loratadine will no longer be available from December 3 [see products]. Schering Plough says: “Following that date, loratadine prescriptions can be replaced by desloratadine.” Both products are marketed at the same price and the company expects that this will result in a smooth transition from one product to the other. However, pharmacists should be aware that prescriptions for loratadine will have to be returned to the prescriber to be amended if desloratadine is supplied.

Over-the-counter packs of loratadine will continue to be available for the time being. However, the spokeswoman said that these will also be withdrawn eventually.

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