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Desloratadine

    Brands

    DEA Class; OTC, Rx

    Common Brand Names; Clarinex, Clarinex RediTabs

    • Antihistamines, 2nd Generation

    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

    Indicated for the management of symptoms of seasonal allergies or perennial allergies, including allergic rhinitis.

    For the management of symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria (e.g., relief of pruritus, reduction in the size and number of hives).

    Documented hypersensitivity to desloratadine or loratadine or components

    • 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%)

    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

    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

    Adults

    5 mg/day PO.

    Geriatric

    5 mg/day PO.

    Adolescents

    5 mg/day PO.

    Children

    12 years: 5 mg/day PO.
    6 to 11 years: 2.5 mg/day PO.
    1 to 5 years: 1.25 mg/day PO.

    Infants

    6 to 11 months: 1 mg/day PO.
    Less than 6 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Desloratadine

    tablet

    • 5mg

    tablet, oral disintegrating

    • 2.5mg
    • 5mg

    oral syrup

    • 0.5mg/mL