Introduction

Des belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines. It is used in the treatment of various allergic conditions. It relieves symptoms like itching, swelling and rashes. Des may be taken with or without food. The dose may vary depending on what you are taking it for. Take it as it has been prescribed by your doctor. You may need this medicine only on days you have symptoms, or you may need to take it every day to prevent symptoms from happening. If you stop taking it earlier than advised, your symptoms may come back. This medicine is generally very safe. Dizziness may occur in some cases. This is usually mild and go away after a couple of days as your body adjusts. Consult your doctor if it persists or worry you. Before taking it, you should tell your doctor if you have any problems with your liver or kidneys or with your heart as antihistamines can cause your heart to beat faster. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult with their doctor before taking it. Avoid drinking alcohol as it can cause excessive drowsiness with this medicine. It usually does not impair your ability to drive, but you should not drive if it makes you feel sleepy or dizzy.

Uses of Des

Allergic conditions

Side effects of Des

Common

Sleepiness

How to use Des

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Des may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Des works

Des is an antihistaminic medication. It treats allergy symptoms such as itching, swelling, and rashes by blocking the effects of a chemical messenger (histamine) in the body.

What if you forget to take Des?

If you miss a dose of Des, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Quick Tips

Your doctor has prescribed Des to help relieve allergy symptoms such as itching, swelling, and rashes.

As compared to other similar medications, it is much less likely to make you feel sleepy.

Be cautious while driving or doing anything that requires concentration as it can cause dizziness and sleepiness.

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication as it may cause increased sleepiness.

Stop taking Des at least three days before taking an allergy test as it can affect the test results.

Brief Description

Indication

Itching, Sneezing, Watery eyes, Allergic conditions, Runny nose, Hives, Skin rash, Common cold

Administration

May be taken with or without food.

Adult Dose

Oral Allergic conditions Adult: 5 mg once daily. Hepatic Impairment: Initially, 5 mg every other day.

Child Dose

Oral Allergic conditions Child: 12 years or over : 5 mg once daily. Child 6-11 years : 2.5 mg once daily. Child 12 months-5 years : 1.25 mg (2.5 ml syrup) once daily. Child 6 months-11 months : 1 mg (2 ml syrup) once daily.

Renal Dose

Initially, 5 mg every other day.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity.

Mode of Action

Desloratadine is a long-acting, tricyclic, non-sedating, selective peripheral histamine H1-receptor antagonist which inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory mediators from human mast cells and basophils.

Precaution

Severe renal or hepatic failure; children <6 mth, elderly, epilepsy, pregnancy and lactation. Lactation: excretion in milk unknown/not recommended

Side Effect

>10% Headache (14%),Fever (12%),Irritability (12%),Diarrhea (15%),Upper respiratory infection (11%),Cough (11%) 1-10% Dizziness (4%),Somnolence (2%),Dizziness (4%),Fatigue (2%),Erythema (2%),Macupopular rash (3%),Dysmenorrhea (2%),Urinary tract infection (4%),Bronchitis (6%),Epistaxis (3%)

Pregnancy Category Note

Pregnancy The limited available data 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 Reproductive potential There are no data available on human infertility associated with desloratadine Female: There were no clinically relevant effects of desloratadine on female fertility in rats Male: A male specific decrease in fertility occurred at an oral desloratadine dose of ?12 mg/kg in rats (approximately 65 times the RHD); male fertility was unaffected at a desloratadine dose of 3 mg/kg (approximately 10 times the RHD) Lactation Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine both pass into breast milk; there are no sufficient data on effects of desloratadine on breastfed infant or effects of desloratadine on milk production The decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue drug, taking into account developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding, the nursing mother’s clinical need, and any potential adverse effects on breastfed infant from therapy or from underlying maternal condition

Interaction

Potential increase in plasma concentrations w/ drugs affecting hepatic microsomal enzymes (e.g. azithromycin, cimetidine, erythromycin, fluoxetine, ketoconazole).