drug-information.ru

|Desloratadine And Pseudoephedrine

DESLORATADINE AND PSEUDOEPHEDRINE (Systemic)†

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Clarinex-D
• Clarinex-D 12 Hour

† Not commercially available in Canada.

Category

• Antihistaminic (H ₁ -receptor)-decongestant therapy

Description

Desloratadine and Pseudoephedrine ((des-LOR-at-a-deen and soo-doe-e-FED-rin)) is a combination of two medicines used to treat nasal congestion (stuffy nose), sneezing, and runny nose caused by hay fever.

Desloratadine works 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.

The pseudoephedrine causes narrowing of blood vessels. This leads to clearing of nasal congestion, but it may also cause an increase in blood pressure in patients who have high blood pressure.

This medicine is available only with your doctor"s prescription, in the following dosage forms:

• Oral
• Extended-release tablets [12 hour] (U.S.)
• Extended-release tablets [24 hour] (U.S.)

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 and pseudoephedrine combination, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to desloratadine or pseudoephedrine or to loratadine. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as adrenergic agents, foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine combinations have not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that desloratadine causes unwanted problems in the fetus. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—Desloratadine passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies. It may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast-feeding. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.

Children—Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine combination is not recommended for use in pediatric patients under 12 years of age.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of desloratadine and pseudoephedrine combination in the elderly with use in other age groups, elderly patients are more likely to be sensitive to the effects of this drug.

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 and pseudoephedrine combination, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Digitalis (e.g., Digoxin)—Use of this medicine may affect heartbeats.

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO) (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate])—If you are now taking, or have taken within the past 2 weeks, any of the MAO inhibitors, the side effects of the MAO inhibitors may become more severe; these medicines should not be used together.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of desloratadine and pseudoephedrine combination. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)—The decongestant in this medicine may put diabetic patients at a greater risk of having heart or blood vessel disease.

• Enlarged prostate or
• Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination—Some of the effects of antihistamines may make urinary problems worse.

• Glaucoma—A slight increase in inner eye pressure may occur.

• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• High blood pressure—The decongestant in this medicine may cause blood pressure to increase and may also speed up the heart rate.

• Kidney disease—Higher blood levels of desloratadine may result, which may increase the chance of side effects. If you are taking the 24 hour extended-release tablets, the dosage may need to be reduced. The 12 hour extended-release tablets should generally be avoided if you have kidney disease.

• Liver disease—Higher blood levels of desloratadine may result, which may increase the chance of side effects. This medicine should generally be avoided if you liver disease

• Overactive thyroid—If an overactive thyroid has caused a fast heart rate, desloratadine in this medicine may cause the heart rate to speed up further.

• Urinary retention—Condition may be worsened with use of pseudoephedrine

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects .

Not taking over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants while taking desloratadine and pseudoephedrine combination.

When taking desloratadine and pseudoephedrine extended-release tablet :

• Swallow it whole.
• Do not crush, break, or chew before swallowing.

Dosing—The dose of desloratadine and pseudoephedrine combination will 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 and pseudoephedrine combination. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets [12 hour]):
  • For nasal congestion or rhinorrhea:
    • Adults and teenagers—Oral, one tablet (2.5 milligrams desloratadine, 120 milligrams pseudoephedrine) two times a day 12 hours apart, taken with or without meals.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets [24 hour]):
  • For nasal congestion or rhinorrhea:
    • Adults and teenagers—Oral, one tablet (5 milligrams desloratadine, 240 milligrams pseudoephedrine) daily, taken with or without a meal
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. 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:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• 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.
• 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.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

Desloratadine may cause dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

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.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Developed: 04/13/2005
Revised: 02/15/2006

The information contained in the Thomson Healthcare (Micromedex) products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Healthcare products.