DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: desloratadine (des lor AT a deen)
Brand Names: Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs

What is desloratadine?

Desloratadine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Desloratadine is used to treat the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. It is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions.

Desloratadine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about desloratadine?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to desloratadine or to loratadine (Claritin).

Before taking desloratadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Desloratadine disintegrating tablets (Claritin RediTabs) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of desloratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking desloratadine?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to desloratadine or to loratadine (Claritin).

Before taking desloratadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease; or
• liver disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use desloratadine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Desloratadine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Desloratadine disintegrating tablets (Claritin RediTabs) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of desloratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take desloratadine?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Desloratadine is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Desloratadine can be taken with or without food.

Measure the liquid form of desloratadine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

To take desloratadine orally disintegrating tablet (Clarinex RediTabs):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.

• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it on your tongue. It will begin to dissolve right away.

• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.

• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink water to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

Store desloratadine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Clarinex RediTabs should be protected from light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness and fast heart rate.

What should I avoid while taking desloratadine?

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Desloratadine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;

• fever, flu symptoms;

• seizure (convulsions); or

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;

• nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;

• sore throat, dry mouth;

• dizziness, tired feeling; or

• muscle pain, menstrual cramps.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect desloratadine?

There may be other drugs that can affect desloratadine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about desloratadine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Desloratadine is available with a prescription under the brand names Clarinex and Clarinex RediTabs. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Clarinex 5 mg-light blue, film-coated tablets

• Clarinex Reditabs 5 mg-pink tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.03. Revision Date: 06/08/2007 2:38:34 PM.