8 Surprising Antihistamine Uses Beyond Allergy Relief
Antihistamines are used to treat allergy symptoms. But did you know they can also treat hives, anxiety, and more? Learn everything antihistamines can do here.
desloratadine
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Hives
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Hives
Desloratadine (Clarinex) is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms. It can also relieve symptoms from chronic hives (long-term hives). This medication is for both adults and children. It comes as a tablet, oral solution, and orally disintegrating tablet (ODT). Desloratadine (Clarinex) is taken by mouth once a day. It's usually less likely to cause side effects, like sleepiness, than some other antihistamines. Desloratadine (Clarinex) is available by prescription only, not over the counter (OTC).
What is Desloratadine (Clarinex)?
What is Desloratadine (Clarinex) used for?
- Seasonal allergy symptoms - people 2 years and older
- Year-round allergy symptoms - people 6 months and older
- Chronic hives - people 6 months and older
How Desloratadine (Clarinex) works
Desloratadine (Clarinex) is an antihistamine. It works by blocking histamine, a natural chemical in your body that causes allergy symptoms.
By blocking histamine, it helps relieve allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, and hives.
When does Desloratadine (Clarinex) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Clarinex |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antihistamine |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Desloratadine (Clarinex)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Sore throat (4%)
- Dry mouth (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Feeling tired
- Muscle pain
Desloratadine (Clarinex) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: itchy, red rash (hives); shortness of breath; chest tightness; swelling of lips, tongue, throat, face, or eyes
The following Desloratadine (Clarinex) side effects have also been reported
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:
Rare
Anaphylaxis, such as, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, itching, puffiness or swelling of eyelids or around the eyes or face or lips or tongue, shortness of breath, skin rash, tightness in chest, unusual tiredness or weakness, wheezing
dyspnea, such as, shortness of breath, difficult or labored breathing, tightness in chest, wheezing
edema, such as, swelling
pruritus, such as, itching skin
rash
tachycardia, such as, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
urticaria, such as, hives or welts, itching, redness of skin, skin rash.
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
Headache
Less common
Dizziness
dysmenorrhea, such as, difficult or painful menstruation
dyspepsia, such as, acid or sour stomach, belching, heartburn, indigestion, stomach discomfort , upset or pain,
fatigue, such as, unusual tiredness or weakness
myalgia, such as, joint pain, swollen joints, muscle aching or cramping, muscle pains or stiffness, difficulty in moving
pharyngitis, such as, body aches or pain, congestion, cough, dryness or soreness of throat, fever, hoarseness, runny nose, tender swollen glands in neck, trouble in swallowing, voice changes.
somnolence, such as, sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$43.47
GoodRx discount
$17.84
Pros and cons of Desloratadine (Clarinex)
Pros
- A good option for allergies
- Usually non-drowsy for most people
- Also available as a liquid and quick-dissolving tablets for people who have trouble swallowing
Cons
- Available by prescription only
- Might cause dry mouth in some people
Pharmacist tips for Desloratadine (Clarinex)
- You can take desloratadine (Clarinex) with or without food.
- For desloratadine (Clarinex) oral tablets: Swallow the tablet whole with water. If it's hard for you to swallow pills whole, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They can help recommend a different form of desloratadine or a different allergy medication that's easier for you to take.
- For desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets: Right after you take the tablet out of the blister packaging, place it on your tongue. Let it dissolve in your mouth before swallowing. You can take it with or without water.
- For the desloratadine liquid: Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure the dose. Ask the pharmacy if you don't have one or need extras. Don't use kitchen spoons because they might not be accurate and using them might make you take the wrong dose.
- Desloratadine (Clarinex) usually causes less drowsiness than other antihistamines. But some people might still feel a little sleepy after taking it. Be sure you feel alert before driving or doing anything that needs your focus.
- It's best to limit or avoid alcohol while taking desloratadine (Clarinex). This medication is usually non-drowsy, but it can still make some people feel sleepy. Alcohol can make this side effect worse. Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist about how much alcohol might be safe for you in your specific situation.
- Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist if you need more relief from your allergies or hives. Don't take more desloratadine (Clarinex) or take it more often than directed. This might not make it work any better and can raise your risk of side effects like sleepiness.
- Don't start any other antihistamines or new medications without talking to your prescriber or pharmacist first. Desloratadine (Clarinex) is an antihistamine. Taking more than one antihistamine at the same time can raise your risk of accidentally taking too much (overdose). This can cause serious side effects, like extreme sleepiness, seizures, or hallucinations.
Risks and warnings for Desloratadine (Clarinex)
Desloratadine (Clarinex) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Allergic reactions
- Risk factors: Allergy to loratadine (Claritin)
Serious allergic reactions to desloratadine (Clarinex) can happen. This can include anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Tell your prescriber if you're allergic to loratadine (Claritin) since it's similar to this medication.
Get medical help right away if you notice hives, swelling of your lips or tongue, or trouble breathing after taking desloratadine (Clarinex). These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - ODT formulation only
The desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) contain phenylalanine. This is a component of the artificial sweetener aspartame. If you have a genetic condition called phenylketonuria (PKU), the ODTs might not be safe for you.
If you have PKU, tell your care team. They can help choose a safer formulation of desloratadine for you. They can also find a different allergy medication that's safer for you.
Desloratadine (Clarinex) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 5mg of Desloratadine (Clarinex) is $21.14 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 85.41% off the average retail price of $144.94. 
Ml of oral solution
Orally disintegrating tab
Tablet
Ml of oral solution| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5mg/ml | 150 ml | $3,606.25 | $24.04 |
Orally disintegrating tab| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5mg | 7 orally disintegrating tabs | $17.84 | $2.55 |
| 5mg | 30 orally disintegrating tabs | $52.72 | $1.76 |
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5mg | 30 tablets | $21.14 | $0.70 |
Interactions between Desloratadine (Clarinex) and other drugs
Desloratadine (Clarinex) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Desloratadine (Clarinex). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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 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.
- Pitolisant
How much does Desloratadine (Clarinex) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Desloratadine (Clarinex) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Desloratadine (Clarinex) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to loratadine (Claritin) or desloratadine (Clarinex)
What are alternatives to Desloratadine (Clarinex)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Desloratadine (Clarinex). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Desloratadine (Clarinex)
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Desloratadine (Clarinex) images
