Desloratadine

Last Reviewed: Nov 06, 2024

Warnings

Desloratadine Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Desloratadine can cause or worsen health problems in certain high-risk individuals. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis and chronic hives if you are at increased risk of adverse reactions from desloratadine use. Some of the risks of taking desloratadine include:

HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS: There are reports of serious allergic reactions in people who took desloratadine, including anaphylaxis (throat closing). Stop taking desloratadine and seek emergency medical care if you develop signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
RISK IN PATIENTS WITH PHENYLKETONURIA: The orally disintegrating tablet of desloratadine (Clarinex RediTabs) contains aspartame that can form phenylalanine in the body. This formulation is, therefore, not safe for use by people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare inherited condition in which brain damage can occur following the ingestion of phenylalanine.

Precautions Before Starting Desloratadine

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to desloratadine, other antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), any of the active or inactive ingredients in desloratadine tablets and other formulations, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Desloratadine may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease or liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy in the near future. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding.

Precautions During Use of Desloratadine

Keep all your medical and lab appointments while on desloratadine. Your doctor may want to change your dose based on your response and monitor you for side effects.

Desloratadine can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue. Do not drive or do anything that requires your full concentration until you know how this medicine affects you.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while on desloratadine.

Desloratadine Drug Interactions

Certain other drugs can affect how desloratadine works. Possible interactions between desloratadine and other medicines can increase the risk of severe side effects. Your doctor may change your dose, switch you to a different medication, or monitor you closely for adverse effects if there are known interactions between desloratadine and your other medications.

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

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