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|Clarinex RediTabs

DESLORATADINE (Systemic)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Clarinex
• Clarinex RediTabs

In Canada—

• Aerius

Category

• Antihistaminic (H₁ -receptor)

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:

• Oral
• Syrup (U.S.)
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Oral disintegrating tablets (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, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to desloratadine or loratadine. 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—This medicine has been tested in children 6 months of age and older. In effective doses, the medicine 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:

• Liver disease or
• Kidney disease—Effects of desloratadine may be increased because of slower removal from the body.

• Phenylketonuria (PKU)—The oral disintegrating tablets may contain aspartame, which can make your condition worse

• Slow metabolizers of desloratadine—May increase chances of unwanted effects

Proper Use of This Medicine

Dosing—For patients using the oral disintegrating tablet form of this medicine:

• Make sure your hands are dry.
• Do not push the tablet through the foil backing of the package. Instead, gently peel back the foil backing and remove the tablet.
• Immediately place the tablet on top of the tongue.
• The tablet will dissolve in seconds, and you may swallow it with your saliva. You do not need to drink water or other liquid to swallow the tablet.

For patients using the syrup form of this medicine: Use a calibrated measuring dropper or syringe to measure the direct dose for your child based on your doctor"s instructions. Do not use a regular teaspoon. If you are unsure about how much of the syrup to give to your child, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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.

• For oral dosage form (oral disintegrating tablets):
  • For symptoms of chronic hives:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 mg once a day.
    • Children 6 to 11 years of age—2.5 mg once a day
    • Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For symptoms of hay fever:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 mg once a day.
    • Children 6 to 11 years of age—2.5 mg once a day
    • Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For symptoms of chronic hives:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 milligrams (mg) once a day.
    • Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For symptoms of hay fever:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 mg once a day.
    • Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (syrup):
  • For symptoms of chronic hives:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—2 teaspoonfuls (5 milligrams [mg] in 10 milliliters [mL]) once a day.
    • Children 6 to 11 years of age—1 teaspoonful (2.5 mg in 5 mL) once a day
    • Children 12 months to 5 years of age—1/2 teaspoonful (1.25 mg in 2.5 mL) once a day
    • Children 6 to 11 months of age—2 mL (1 mg) once a day
  • For symptoms of hay fever:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—2 teaspoonfuls (5 milligrams [mg] in 10 milliliters [mL]) once a day.
    • Children 6 to 11 years of age—1 teaspoonful (2.5 mg in 5 mL) once a day
    • Children 12 months to 5 years of age—1/2 teaspoonful (1.25 mg in 2.5 mL) once a day
    • Children 6 to 11 months of age—2 mL (1 mg) once a day

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:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light in a tightly closed container.
• 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

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.

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

Developed: 09/09/2002
Revised: 08/12/2005

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