Desloratadine (Cont.)

How Does Desloratadine Work?

When you come into contact with something you're allergic to, a chain reaction begins inside your body. During this chain reaction, special cells release powerful chemicals. Some of these chemicals can trigger swelling of the nasal passages, leading to nasal congestion (a "stuffy" nose). Other chemicals, such as histamine, can cause sneezing, itching, and irritation.
 
Desloratadine is part of a class of drugs called antihistamines. As the name implies, desloratadine blocks the effects of histamine. This can help with relief of allergy symptoms. However, since histamine is not involved with nasal congestion, desloratadine will not help open the nasal passages.
 

Desloratadine Effects

Prior to desloratadine's approval in the United States, numerous clinical studies were conducted in over 4,000 adults and children. This included studies looking at the effects of desloratadine on seasonal allergy symptoms, perennial allergy symptoms, and chronic urticaria. In these studies, people taking desloratadine had improved relief compared to the group of people not taking the medicine. For allergy relief, this improvement was measured based on a symptom score that looked at changes in the following symptoms:
 
  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Itchy nose and throat
  • Itchy, watery, and red eyes.
     
For chronic hives, the symptom score measured changes in itching and number of hives.
 

When and How Do I Take Desloratadine?

Some general considerations for when and how to take desloratadine include:
 
  • Desloratadine comes in a tablet. It is usually taken once a day. It is recommended that you take your desloratadine dose with a glass of water, with or without food. Do not break, chew, or crush the desloratadine tablets.
  • Desloratadine also comes in an orally disintegrating tablet or syrup. These forms may be taken with or without water and with or without food.
  • Desloratadine should be taken at the same time every day to help maintain an even level in the blood. Do not take it more often than directed.
  • For desloratadine to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Desloratadine will not work if you stop taking it.
     
(Desloratadine Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;