What is Clarinex-D?

Therapeutic ClassificationsAntihistamine, Less-Sedating/Decongestant Combination

Pharmacologic ClassificationsAntihistamine, Less-Sedating

OverviewTOP

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.

Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects .

Proper UseTOP

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.

DosingTOP

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]):
- 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 4 years of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .

For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets [24 hour]):
- 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 4 years of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  - Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .

Missed DoseTOP

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.

Use & StorageTOP

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.

Before UsingTOP

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:

AllergiesTOP

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.

PediatricTOP

Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine combination is not recommended for use in pediatric patients under 12 years of age.

GeriatricTOP

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.

PregnancyTOP

	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.

Breast FeedingTOP

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 InteractionsTOP

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

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.

Dihydroergotamine
Furazolidone
Iproniazid
Isocarboxazid
Linezolid
Methylene Blue
Moclobemide
Nialamide
Phenelzine
Procarbazine
Rasagiline
Safinamide
Selegiline
Tranylcypromine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Other InteractionsTOP

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. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

PrecautionsTOP

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.

Chemical ClassificationsTOP

Piperidine