- Desloratadine helps relieve allergy and hive symptoms like sneezing, itching, and watery eyes without causing drowsiness.
- It comes in syrup or tablet form, with dosing that varies by age and must follow medical guidance.
- Side effects are usually mild, and its use is restricted in infants, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and certain health conditions.
Desloratadine is an allergy medication that helps ease common symptoms like sneezing, an itchy or runny nose, and watery eyes. It works by blocking the effects of histamine, the chemical that triggers allergic reactions. Many people also use it to relieve itching and skin discomfort caused by hives.
Unlike some older antihistamines, desloratadine typically does not cause drowsiness. This makes it a useful option for people who need relief but want to stay alert during the day. It is available by prescription in the United States and comes in both tablet and syrup forms.
This medication is widely used to control seasonal allergies, year-round allergies, and hives. However, it should only be taken with medical guidance to ensure correct dosing and avoid potential complications.
What it is used for
Desloratadine is recommended to relieve symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis, such as:
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Stuffy or runny nose
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Itching in the nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth
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Watery eyes
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Cough
It can also be used to ease symptoms of hives, including itching or a burning sensation on the skin.
What is the difference between loratadine and desloratadine?
Loratadine and desloratadine are both antihistamines that work by blocking the effects of histamine. They have the same uses and act in similar ways.
Even so, they are not identical. Desloratadine is a metabolite of loratadine and has a longer duration of action, meaning it stays active in the body for more time. It also has a lower likelihood of crossing into the brain, which reduces the chance of drowsiness compared to loratadine.
How to take
Desloratadine should be taken by mouth, with or without food, following the dosing schedule recommended by a healthcare provider.
1. Desloratadine syrup 0.5 mg/mL
Desloratadine syrup comes in 60 or 100 mL bottles and should be measured using the dosing tool provided. The dose varies by age:
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Adults and children 12 years and older: 10 mL of syrup, which is equivalent to 5 mg, once a day. Do not exceed 10 mL in 24 hours.
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Children 6 to 11 years: 5 mL of syrup, which is equivalent to 2.5 mg, once a day. Do not exceed 5 mL in 24 hours.
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Children 1 to 5 years: 2.5 mL of syrup, which is equivalent to 1.25 mg, once a day. Do not exceed 2.5 mL in 24 hours.
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Babies 6 to 11 months: 2 mL of syrup, which is equivalent to 1 mg, once a day.
Treatment duration should follow a doctor’s recommendations.
2. Desloratadine 5 mg tablets
Desloratadine tablets are available in packs of 10 or 30. They should be swallowed whole with a glass of water without chewing or breaking the tablet.
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Adults and children 12 years and older: 1 tablet of 5 mg once a day.
Tablets should not be used by children under 12 years old.
Possible side effects
Common side effects that may occur with desloratadine include headache, muscle pain, dry mouth, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Does desloratadine cause drowsiness?
Desloratadine works on histamine in the body without affecting histamine activity in the brain. Because of this, it is far less likely to cause drowsiness than older antihistamines such as dexchlorpheniramine or promethazine.
Contraindications for use
Desloratadine should not be used by babies under 6 months old, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people who are allergic to desloratadine or loratadine.
The tablet form should not be used by children under 12 years old. The syrup form contains sugar and is not recommended for people with diabetes as it may raise blood sugar and make diabetes management more difficult.