Desloratadine

Desloratadine is used to relieve hay fever and allergy symptoms, including sneezing; runny nose; and red, itchy, tearing eyes. It is also used to treat hives. Desloratadine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.

Desloratadine comes as a tablet, oral solution (liquid), and an orally disintegrating tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take desloratadine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. To take the orally disintegrating tablet, use dry hands to peel back the foil packaging. Immediately take out the tablet and place it on your tongue. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with saliva. Orally disintegrating tablets may be taken with or without water.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Desloratadine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
dizziness</li>
<li>
sore throat</li>
<li>
dry mouth</li>
<li>
muscle pain</li>
<li>
extreme tiredness</li>
<li>
painful menstruation</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. The following symptom is uncommon, but if you experience it, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
difficulty breathing</li></ul>Desloratadine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking desloratadine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to desloratadine, loratadine (Claritin), or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease or phenylketonuria (for orally disintegrating tablets).

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.