Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs

Generic Name: desloratadine (Pronunciation: DES lor A ta deen)

• What is desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?
• What are the possible side effects of desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?
• What is the most important information I should know about desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?
• How should I take desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?
• What happens if I overdose (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?
• What should I avoid while taking desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?
• What other drugs will affect desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?

Desloratadine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of 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.

Desloratadine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Clarinex 5 mg

round, blue, imprinted with C5

What are the possible side effects of desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?

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.

What is the most important information I should know about desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to desloratadine or to loratadine (Claritin).

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 disintegrating tablets (Clarinex RediTabs) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of desloratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

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