Desloratadine is an antihistamine that is used to treat the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, itching, and runny nose.

Desloratadine 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.

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.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take desloratadine 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

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

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.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

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: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects of desloratadine 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 affect desloratadine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Clarinex-D® (containing Desloratadine, Pseudoephedrine)