- CLARINEX (desloratadine, Desent)
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- In the U.S.
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- BRAND NAMES:
- In Canada
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- Description
Desloratadine (des-LOR-at-a-deen) 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, in the following dosage form:
- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Proper Use of This Medicine
Dosing - Desloratadine may be taken with or without
food or on a full or empty stomach. However, if your doctor tells you to take the medicine
a certain way, take it exactly as directed. The dose of desloratadine may be different for
different patients.Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The
following information includes only the average doses of desloratadine. If your dose is
different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
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- For oral dosage form (tablets):
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- For symptoms of chronic hives:
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- Adults and children 12 years of age and older5 milligrams
(mg) once a day.
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- Children younger than 12 years of ageUse and dose must be
determined by your doctor.
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- For symptoms of hay fever:
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- Adults and children 12 years of age and older5 mg once a
day.
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- Children younger than 12 years of ageUse and dose must be
determined by your doctor.
Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine,
take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip
the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage - To store this medicine:
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- Keep out of the reach of children.
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- Store away from heat and direct light in a tightly closed
container.
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- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in
other damp places. heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
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- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against
the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For desloratadine,
the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any
unusual or allergic reaction to desloratadine. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you
are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Desloratadine has not been studied in
pregnant women. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are
pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Studies in animals have shown that desloratadine causes a
decrease in successful pregnancies and a decrease in the weight of the infant.
Breast-feeding - Small amounts of desloratadine pass
into the breast milk. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed
should discuss this with their doctor.
Children - There is no specific information comparing
use of desloratadine in children up to 12 years of age. This medicine has been tested in
children 12 years of age and older and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause
different side effects or problems than it does in adults.
Older adults - Desloratadine has been tested in
patients 65 years of age and older and has not been shown to cause different side effects
or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, older patients are
more likely to have kidney or liver problems which may make them more sensitive to the
effects of desloratadine. Your doctor may give you a different desloratadine dose if you
have kidney or liver problems.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should
not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the
dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking desloratadine, it is
especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking or using any
other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC] medicine.
Other medical problems - The presence of other
medical problems may affect the use of desloratadine. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
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- Liver disease or
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- Kidney diseaseEffects of desloratadine may be increased
because of slower removal from the body.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your
doctor.
This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy,
or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine
before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are
dizzy or are not alert.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not
all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
- Check with your doctor immediately if any of the
following side effects occur:
- Rare
- Anaphylaxis, such as, cough, difficulty swallowing,
dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, itching, puffiness or swelling of eyelids or around the
eyes or face or lips or tongue, shortness of breath, skin rash, tightness in chest,
unusual tiredness or weakness, wheezing, dyspnea, such as, shortness of breath, difficult
or labored breathing, tightness in chest, wheezing, edema, such as, swelling , pruritus,
such as, itching skin, rash, tachycardia, such as, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
or pulse, urticaria, such as, hives or welts, itching, redness of skin, skin rash.
- Other side effects may occur that usually do not need
medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to
the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to
prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if
any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions
about them:
- Less common
- Dizziness, dry mouth, dysmenorrhea, such as, difficult or
painful menstruation, dyspepsia, such as, acid or sour stomach, belching, heartburn,
indigestion, stomach discomfort , upset or pain,, fatigue, such as, unusual tiredness or
weakness, myalgia, such as, joint pain, swollen joints, muscle aching or cramping, muscle
pains or stiffness, difficulty in moving, pharyngitis, such as, body aches or pain,
congestion, cough, dryness or soreness of throat, fever, hoarseness, runny nose, tender
swollen glands in neck, trouble in swallowing, voice changes., somnolence, such as,
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness, nausea
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some
patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. Last Reviewed:
01/15/2003
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