Desloratadine (By mouth)
des-lor-A-ta-deen
Treats or prevents hives, allergy symptoms, and hay fever symptoms. This medicine is an antihistamine.
Drug classes
Respiratory Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Desloratadine is an antihistamine. It is used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever and hives of the skin.
Antihistamines work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Also, in some persons histamine can close up the bronchial tubes (air passages of the lungs) and make breathing difficult. Histamine can also cause some persons to have hives, with severe itching of the skin.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects .
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet, Dissolving Tablet, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the disintegrating tablet. Peel back the foil from the blister pack, then remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. After it has melted, swallow or take a drink of water.
If a dose is missed:
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
There may be medicines that could interact with desloratadine. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to desloratadine or to loratadine (Claritin®).
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have liver disease or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart problems, and about any other medical problems you may have.
Some forms of this medicine may contain phenylalanine (aspartame). Read the label before using this medicine. This is only a concern if you have a disorder called phenylketonuria (a problem with amino acids). If you have this condition, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Fast or irregular (uneven) heartbeat.
Pain when urinating, or trouble urinating.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Fever, cough, sore throat, or headache.
Drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness, or other mood changes.
Dry mouth or throat.
Nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach.
Mild skin rash.
Muscle aches.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs
There may be other brand names for this medicine.