Drug Reference

Desloratadine

Other antihistamines for systemic use

← All medicines · Other antihistamines for systemic use

Rx only

Fact box

Therapeutic class
Other antihistamines for systemic use
Action class
Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist
Mechanism
Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonists
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

ClarinexClarinex-D

Available as

2.5 MG · Extended Release Oral Tablet5 MG · Extended Release Oral Tablet5 MG · Oral Tablet5 MG · Disintegrating Oral Tablet2.5 MG · Disintegrating Oral Tablet0.5 MG/ML · Oral Solution

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Desloratadine Tablets are a histamine-1 (H1) receptor antagonist indicated for: • Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms in patients 12 years of age and older. ( 1.1 ) • Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms in patients 12 years of age and older. ( 1.2 ) • Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria: symptomatic relief of pruritus, reduction in the number of hives, and size of hives in patients 12 years of age and older. ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Desloratadine Tablets are indicated for the relief of the nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients 12 years of age and older. 1.2 Perennial Allergic Rhinitis Desloratadine Tablets are indicated for the relief of the nasal and non-nasal symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis in patients 12 years of age and older. 1.3 Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Desloratadine Tablets are indicated for the symptomatic relief of pruritus, reduction in the number of hives, and size of hives, in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria 12 years of age and older.
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Desloratadine is a long-acting tricyclic histamine antagonist with selective H 1 -receptor histamine antagonist activity. Receptor binding data indicates that at a concentration of 2-3 ng/mL (7 nanomolar), desloratadine shows significant interaction with the human histamine H 1 -receptor. Desloratadine inhibited histamine release from human mast cells in vitro . Results of a radiolabeled tissue distribution study in rats and a radioligand H 1 -receptor binding study in guinea pigs showed that desloratadine did not readily cross the blood brain barrier. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Desloratadine Tablets may be taken without regard to meals. Dosage (by age): Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Over: • Desloratadine Tablets - one 5 mg tablet once daily ( 2 ) 2.1 Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Over The recommended dose of Desloratadine Tablets is one 5-mg tablet once daily. 2.5 Adults with Hepatic or Renal Impairment In adult patients with liver or renal impairment, a starting dose of one 5 mg tablet every other day is recommended based on pharmacokinetic data. Dosing recommendation for children with liver or renal impairment cannot be made due to lack of data [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: • Hypersensitivity reactions. [ See Warnings and Precautions (5.1) .] • The most common adverse reactions (reported in ≥2% of adult and adolescent patients with allergic rhinitis and greater than placebo) were pharyngitis, dry mouth, myalgia, fatigue, somnolence, dysmenorrhea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Virtus Pharmaceuticals, LLC at 1-888-848-3593 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Adults and Adolescents Allergic Rhinitis: In multiple-dose placebo-controlled trials, 2834 patients ages 12 years or older received Desloratadine Tablets at doses of 2.5 mg to 20 mg daily, of whom 1655 patients received the recommended daily dose of 5 mg. In patients receiving 5 mg daily, the rate of adverse events was similar between Desloratadine and placebo-treated patients. The percent of patients who withdrew prematurely due to adverse events was 2.4% in the Desloratadine group and 2.6% in the placebo group. There were no serious adverse events in these trials in patients receiving desloratadine. All adverse events that were reported by greater than or equal to 2% of patients who received the recommended daily dose of Desloratadine Tablets (5 mg once daily), and that were more common with Desloratadine Tablets than placebo, are listed in Table 1. Table 1 Incidence of Adverse Events Reported by ≥2% of Adult and Adolescent Allergic Rhinitis Patients Receiving Desloratadine Tablets Adverse Event Desloratadine Tablets 5 mg (n=1655) Placebo (n=1652) Infections and Infestations Pharyngitis 4.1% 2.0% Nervous System Disorders Somnolence 2.1% 1.8% Gastrointestinal Disorders Dry Mouth 3.0% 1.9% Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Myalgia 2.1% 1.8% Reproductive System and Breast Disorders Dysmenorrhea 2.1% 1.6% General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue 2.1% 1.2% The frequency and magnitude of laboratory and electrocardiographic abnormalities were similar in Desloratadine and placebo-treated patients. There were no differences in adverse events for subgroups of patients as defined by gender, age, or race. Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria: In multiple-dose, placebo-controlled trials of chronic idiopathic urticaria, 211 patients ages 12 years or older received Desloratadine Tablets and 205 received placebo. Adverse events that were reported by greater than or equal to 2% of patients who received Desloratadine Tablets and that were more common with Desloratadine than placebo were (rates for Desloratadine and placebo, respectively): headache (14%, 13%), nausea (5%, 2%), fatigue (5%, 1%), dizziness (4%, 3%), pharyngitis (3%, 2%), dyspepsia (3%, 1%), and myalgia (3%, 1%). Pediatrics Two hundred and forty-six pediatric subjects 6 months to 11 years of age received Desloratadine Oral Solution for 15 days in three placebo-controlled clinical trials. Pediatric subjects aged 6 to 11 years received 2.5 mg once a day, subjects aged 1 to 5 years received 1.25 mg once a day, and subjects 6 to 11 months of age received 1.0 mg once a day. In subjects 6 to 11 years of age, no individual adverse event was reported by 2 percent or more of the subjects. In subjects 2 to 5 years of age, adverse events reported for Desloratadine and placebo in at least 2 percent of subjects receiving Desloratadine Oral Solution and at a frequency greater than placebo were fever (5.5%, 5.4%), urinary tract infection (3.6%, 0%) and varicella (3.6%, 0%). In subjects 12 months to 23 months of age, adverse events reported for the Desloratadine product and placebo in at least 2 percent of subjects receiving Desloratadin

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The limited available data with Desloratadine in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Desloratadine given during organogenesis to pregnant rats was not teratogenic at the summed area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)-based exposures of desloratadine and its metabolite approximately 320 times that at the recommended human daily oral dose (RHD) of 5 mg/day. Desloratadine given during organogenesis to pregnant rabbits was not teratogenic at the AUC-based exposures of desloratadine approximately 230 times that at the RHD. Desloratadine given to pregnant rats during organogenesis through lactation resulted in reduced body weight and slow righting reflex of F 1 pups at the summed AUC-based exposures of desloratadine and its metabolite approximately 70 times or greater than that at the RHD [ see Data ]. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Desloratadine was given orally during organogenesis to pregnant rats at doses of 6, 24 and 48 mg/kg/day (approximately 50, 200 and 320 times the summed AUC-based exposure of desloratadine and its metabolite at the RHD). No fetal malformations were present. Reduced fetal weights and skeletal variations noted at doses of 24 and 48 mg/kg/day were likely secondary to the maternal toxicities of reduced body weight gain and food consumption observed at the same doses. Desloratadine was also given orally during organogenesis to pregnant rabbits at doses of 15, 30 and 60 mg/kg/day (approximately 30, 70 and 230 times the AUC-based exposure of desloratadine at the RHD). No adverse effects to the fetus were noted. Reduced maternal body weight gain was noted in rabbits at 60 mg/kg/day. In a peri- and post-natal development study, desloratadine was given to rats orally during the perinatal (Gestation Day 6) through lactation periods (Postpartum Day 21) at doses of 3, 9 and 18 mg/kg/day. Reduced body weight and slow righting reflex were reported in F 1 pups at doses of 9 mg/kg/day or greater (approximately 70 times or greater than the summed AUC-based exposure of desloratadine and its metabolite at the RHD). Desl
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
…Desloratadine given to pregnant rats during organogenesis through lactation resulted in reduced body weight and slow righting reflex of F 1 pups at the summed AUC-based exposures of desloratadine and its metabolite approximately 70 times or greater than that at the…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyConsult your doctor
…2.5 Adults with Hepatic or Renal Impairment In adult patients with liver or renal impairment, a starting dose of one 5 mg tablet every other day is recommended based on pharmacokinetic data.…
LiverConsult your doctor
…2.5 Adults with Hepatic or Renal Impairment In adult patients with liver or renal impairment, a starting dose of one 5 mg tablet every other day is recommended based on pharmacokinetic data.…
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Hypersensitivity reactions including rash, pruritus, urticaria, edema, dyspnea, and anaphylaxis have been reported. In such cases, stop Desloratadine Tablets at once and consider alternative treatments. ( 5.1 ) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions including rash, pruritus, urticaria, edema, dyspnea, and anaphylaxis have been reported after administration of desloratadine. If such a reaction occurs, therapy with Desloratadine Tablets should be stopped and alternative treatment should be considered. [ See Adverse Reactions (6.2) .]
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Desloratadine Tablets are contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to this medication or to any of its ingredients or to loratadine [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]. • Hypersensitivity ( 4 , 6.2 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use The recommended dose of Desloratadine Oral Solution in the pediatric population is based on cross-study comparison of the plasma concentration of Desloratadine in adults and pediatric subjects. The safety of Desloratadine Oral Solution has been established in 246 pediatric subjects aged 6 months to 11 years in three placebo-controlled clinical studies. Since the course of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria and the effects of Desloratadine are sufficiently similar in the pediatric and adult populations, it allows extrapolation from the adult efficacy data to pediatric patients. The effectiveness of Desloratadine Oral Solution in these age groups is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of Desloratadine Tablets in adults. The safety and effectiveness of Desloratadine Tablets or Desloratadine Oral Solution have not been demonstrated in pediatric patients less than 6 months of age. [ See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) . ]

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Inhibitors of Cytochrome P450 3A4 In controlled clinical studies co-administration of desloratadine with ketoconazole, erythromycin, or azithromycin resulted in increased plasma concentrations of desloratadine and 3 hydroxydesloratadine, but there were no clinically relevant changes in the safety profile of desloratadine. [ See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) .] 7.2 Fluoxetine In controlled clinical studies co-administration of desloratadine with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), resulted in increased plasma concentrations of desloratadine and 3 hydroxydesloratadine, but there were no clinically relevant changes in the safety profile of desloratadine. [ See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) .] 7.3 Cimetidine In controlled clinical studies co-administration of desloratadine with cimetidine, a histamine H 2 -receptor antagonist, resulted in increased plasma concentrations of desloratadine and 3 hydroxydesloratadine, but there were no clinically relevant changes in the safety profile of desloratadine. [ See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) . ]
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE In the event of overdose, consider standard measures to remove any unabsorbed drug. Symptomatic and supportive treatment is recommended. Desloratadine and 3-hydroxydesloratadine are not eliminated by hemodialysis. Information regarding acute overdosage is limited to experience from post-marketing adverse event reports and from clinical trials conducted during the development of the Desloratadine product. In a dose-ranging trial, at doses of 10 mg and 20 mg/day somnolence was reported. In another study, no clinically relevant adverse events were reported in normal male and female volunteers who were given single daily doses of Desloratadine 45 mg for 10 days [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ].
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

9 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.