Desloratadine

Desloratadine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Desloratadine is used to treat the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. It is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions.
Before taking desloratadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.
Desloratadine may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of desloratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to desloratadine or to loratadine (Claritin).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
• kidney disease; or
• liver disease.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether desloratadine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Desloratadine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.


Take this medication as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Desloratadine side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
• fever, flu symptoms;
• seizure (convulsions); or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
• dry mouth, sore throat, cough;
• muscle pain;
• drowsiness, tired feeling;
• nausea, diarrhea; or
• headache;
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Desloratadine Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Usual Adult Dose for Urticaria:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Usual Geriatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: 5 mg orally once a day.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Urticaria:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: 5 mg orally once a day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:
>=6m <12m: 1 mg orally once a day
>=1y <6y: 1.25 mg orally once a day
>=6y <11y: 2.5 mg orally once a day
>=12 years of age: 5 mg orally once a day
Usual Pediatric Dose for Urticaria:
>=6m <12m: 1 mg orally once a day
>=1y <6y: 1.25 mg orally once a day
>=6y <11y: 2.5 mg orally once a day
>=12 years of age: 5 mg orally once a day
What other drugs will affect desloratadine?
There may be other drugs that can affect desloratadine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.