Brand
name: Aerius ( Desloratadine ) Desloratadine
Clarinex® | Clarinex® RediTabs
Desloratadine and Pseudoephedrine (Oral Route)
Drug Information provided by: Micromedex
US Brand Names : Clarinex-D
Description Aerius ( Desloratadine )
Desloratadine and Pseudoephedrine is a combination of two medicines
used to treat nasal congestion (stuffy nose), sneezing, and runny nose
caused by hay fever.Desloratadine works by preventing the effects of
a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Histamine
can cause itching,
sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.The pseudoephedrine causes narrowing
of blood vessels. This leads to clearing of nasal congestion, but it
may also cause an increase
in blood pressure in patients who have high blood pressure.This medicine
is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms: Tablet, Extended
Release, 24 HR Tablet, Extended Release, 12 HR
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must
be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and
your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction
to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care
professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods,
dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read
the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine combination is not recommended for
use in pediatric patients under 12 years of age.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people.
Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way
they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information
comparing use of desloratadine and pseudoephedrine combination in the
elderly with use in other age groups, elderly patients are more likely
to be sensitive to the effects of this drug.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category Explanation
All Trimesters C Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are
no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted
and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.
Breastfeeding and Aerius ( Desloratadine )
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk
when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential
benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication
while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended.
Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change
some of the other medicines you take.
Clorgyline Dihydroergotamine Furazolidone Iproniazid Isocarboxazid Moclobemide Nialamide Pargyline Phenelzine Procarbazine
Rasagiline
Selegiline
Toloxatone
Tranylcypromine
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating
food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur.
Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions
to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your
medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this
medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical
problems, especially:
Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)—The decongestant in this
medicine may put diabetic patients at a greater risk of having heart
or blood vessel disease.
Enlarged prostate or
Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination—Some of the effects of
antihistamines may make urinary problems worse.
Glaucoma—A slight increase in inner eye pressure may occur.
Heart or blood vessel disease or
High blood pressure—The decongestant in this medicine may cause blood
pressure to increase and may also speed up the heart rate.
Kidney disease—Higher blood levels of desloratadine may result,
which may increase the chance of side effects. If you are taking the
24 hour extended-release tablets, the dosage may need to be reduced.
The 12 hour extended-release tablets should generally be avoided if
you have kidney disease. Liver disease—Higher blood levels of
desloratadine may result, which may increase the chance of side effects.
This medicine should
generally be avoided if you have liver disease. Overactive thyroid—If
an overactive thyroid has caused a fast heart rate, desloratadine in
this medicine may cause the heart
rate to speed up further. Urinary retention—Condition may be
worsened with use of pseudoephedrine
Proper Use
Take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it and do
not take it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise
directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.Not
taking over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants while taking
desloratadine and pseudoephedrine combination.When taking desloratadine
and pseudoephedrine extended-release tablet:Swallow it whole.
Do not crush, break, or chew before swallowing.
Dosage
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.
Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following
information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your
dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to
do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the
medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed
between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend
on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.For oral
dosage form (extended-release tablets [12 hour]):
o For nasal congestion or rhinorrhea
+ Adults and teenagers—Oral, one tablet (2.5 milligrams desloratadine,
120 milligrams pseudoephedrine) two times a day 12 hours apart, taken with
or without a meal
+ Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.For oral dosage
form (extended-release tablets [24 hour]):
o For nasal congestion or rhinorrhea
+ Adults and teenagers—Oral, one tablet (5 milligrams desloratadine,
240 milligrams pseudoephedrine) daily, taken with or without a meal
+ Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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 dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away
from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.Ask your
healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you
do not use.
Precautions
Desloratadine may cause dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat. For
temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your
mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues
to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your dentist. Continuing
dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including
tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.
Aerius ( Desloratadine ) Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted
effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they
do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects
occur:
Observed during clinical practice
Abdominal or stomach pain area Chills Clay-colored
stools
Cough Dark urine Difficult or labored breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Dizziness Elevated liver enzymes Fast heartbeat Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
Fever
General tiredness and weakness Headache
Hives
Irregular heartbeat Itching Light-colored stools Loss of appetite
Nausea
Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
Rash Redness of skin Shortness of breath Skin rash
Swelling Tightness in chest Unpleasant breath odor Unusual tiredness or weakness
Upper right abdominal pain Vomiting of blood Vomiting
Welts Wheezing Yellow eyes or skin Symptoms of overdose
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of
overdose occur:
Increased heart rate
Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.
These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts
to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to
tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side
effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about
them:
More common
Dry mouth Sleeplessness Trouble sleeping Unable to sleep
Less common
Body aches or pain Congestion Dryness or soreness of throat Hoarseness Nervousness Restlessness Runny
nose Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness Tender, swollen glands in neck
Trouble sitting still Voice changes Weight loss
