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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?

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

To make sure you can safely take desloratadine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• 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.

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

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex Reditabs)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Desloratadine is usually taken once per day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not crush, chew, or break the regular desloratadine tablet. Swallow the pill whole.

Measure the liquid form of desloratadine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

To take desloratadine orally disintegrating tablet (Clarinex RediTabs):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it on your tongue. It will begin to dissolve right away.
• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink water to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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