Clarinex 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.

Clarinex is used to treat the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, itching, and runny nose.

Clarinex is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions.

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

Before taking Clarinex, 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.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

To make sure Clarinex is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease; or

• liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

This medicine may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Take Clarinex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

You may take Clarinex with or without food.

Carefully follow your doctor's dosing instructions when giving this medicine to a child. Desloratadine should not be given to a child younger than 6 months old.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet on your tongue and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Protect the liquid medicine from light.

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

5 mg orally once a day

Uses:
-Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis
-Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis
-Symptomatic relief of pruritus, reduction in the number of hives, and size of hives in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria

Usual Adult Dose for Urticaria:

5 mg orally once a day

Uses:
-Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis
-Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis
-Symptomatic relief of pruritus, reduction in the number of hives, and size of hives in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

6 to 11 months: 1 mg orally once a day
12 months to 5 years: 1.25 mg orally once a day
6 to 11 years: 2.5 mg orally once a day
12 years and older: 5 mg orally once a day

Uses:
-Patients 6 months and older: Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis
-Patients 6 months and older: Symptomatic relief of pruritus, reduction in the number of hives, and size of hives in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria
-Patients 2 years and older: Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Urticaria:

6 to 11 months: 1 mg orally once a day
12 months to 5 years: 1.25 mg orally once a day
6 to 11 years: 2.5 mg orally once a day
12 years and older: 5 mg orally once a day

Uses:
-Patients 6 months and older: Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis
-Patients 6 months and older: Symptomatic relief of pruritus, reduction in the number of hives, and size of hives in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria
-Patients 2 years and older: Relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis

To make sure Clarinex is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease; or

• liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

This medicine may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Clarinex: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common Clarinex side effects may include:

• dry mouth, sore throat;

• muscle pain;

• drowsiness, tiredness; or

• menstrual pain.

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.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a cold or allergy medicine;

• cimetidine;

• fluoxetine (Prozac);

• ketoconazole; or

• an antibiotic - azithromycin (Z-Pak) or erythromycin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with desloratadine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.