Three unknown impurities in loratadine bulk drug at levels below 0.1% (ranging from 0.05 to 0.1%) were detected by a simple isocratic reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These impurities were isolated from mother liquor sample of loratadine using reversed-phase preparative HPLC. Based on the spectral data (IR, NMR and MS) the structures of these impurities were characterized as 11-(N-carboethoxy-4-piperidylidene)-6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo(5,6) cyclopenta(1,2-b)-pyridine (I), 8-bromo-11-(N-carboethoxy-4-piperidylidene)-6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo(5,6) cyclopenta (1,2-b)-pyridine (II) and 8-chloro-11-(N-carboethoxy-4-piperidylidene)-5H-benzo(5,6) cyclopenta (1,2-b)-pyridine (III). The synthesis of these impurities was discussed.