Classes
DEA Class; OTC, Rx
Common Brand Names; Clarinex, Clarinex RediTabs
- Antihistamines, 2nd Generation
Description
Oral non-sedating, long acting second-generation antihistamine; the active metabolite of loratadine
Used to relieve symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and used for chronic idiopathic urticaria
Does not cause QT prolongation
Indications
Indicated for the management of symptoms of seasonal allergies or perennial allergies, including allergic rhinitis.
Contraindications
Documented hypersensitivity to desloratadine or loratadine or components
Adverse Effects
- Headache (14%)
- Fever (12%)
- Irritability (12%)
- Diarrhea (15%)
- Upper respiratory infection (11%)
- Cough (11%)
- Dizziness (4%)
- Somnolence (2%)
- Dizziness (4%)
- Fatigue (2%)
- Erythema (2%)
- Macupopular rash (3%)
- Dysmenorrhea (2%)
- Urinary tract infection (4%)
- Bronchitis (6%)
- Epistaxis (3%)
Warnings
Caution in slow metabolizers; may increase incidence of side effects
Some products may contain sodium benzoate/benzoic acid (a metabolite of benzyl alcohol), associated with potentially fatal toxicity in neonates (gasping syndrome) when used in large amounts; some products may also contain phenylalanine
Use with caution in hepatic/renal impairment
Pregnancy and Lactation
The limited available data in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage; there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women
Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine both pass into breast milk; there are no sufficient data on effects of desloratadine on breastfed infant or effects of desloratadine on milk production
Maximum Dosage
5 mg/day PO.
5 mg/day PO.
5 mg/day PO.
12 years: 5 mg/day PO.
6 to 11 years: 2.5 mg/day PO.
1 to 5 years: 1.25 mg/day PO.
6 to 11 months: 1 mg/day PO.
Less than 6 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Desloratadine
tablet
- 5mg
tablet, oral disintegrating
- 2.5mg
- 5mg
oral syrup
- 0.5mg/mL
