Uses
Desloratadine is used in adults and children to relieve hay fever and allergy symptoms, including sneezing; runny nose; and red, itchy, tearing eyes. It is also used to relieve symptoms of urticaria (hives; red, itchy raised areas of the skin), including itching and rash.
Desloratadine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
Side Effects Of Desloratadine
Desloratadine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- nausea
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- sore throat
- dry mouth
- muscle pain
- extreme tiredness
- sleepiness
- painful menstruation
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking desloratadine and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- rash
- itching
- hives
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
Desloratadine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking desloratadine:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to desloratadine, loratadine (Alavert, Claritin), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in desloratadine tablets, oral solution, or orally disintegrating tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax), cimetidine (Tagamet), erythromycin (E.E.S., Eryc, Eryped, others), fluoxetine (Prozac, Rapiflux, Sarafem, others), and ketoconazole (Nizoral). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking desloratadine, call your doctor.
- if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent mental retardation), you should know that the orally disintegrating tablets may contain aspartame that forms phenylalanine.
Desloratadine Dosage
Desloratadine comes as a tablet, oral solution (liquid), and an orally disintegrating tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take desloratadine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
It is important to use a measuring device (dropper or an oral syringe) to accurately measure the correct amount of solution for each dose; do not use a household spoon.
To take the orally disintegrating tablet, use dry hands to peel back the foil packaging. Immediately take out the tablet and place it on your tongue. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with saliva. Orally disintegrating tablets may be taken with or without water.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription of desloratadine.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
