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What is the most important information I should know about
desloratadine?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Although unlikely, desloratadine may cause
dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness,
avoid these activities. |
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Desloratadine is an antihistamine. Antihistamines prevent
sneezing, runny nose, itching and watering of the eyes, and other
allergic symptoms. |
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Desloratadine is used to treat the symptoms of allergies. |
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Desloratadine may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
desloratadine?
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Before taking desloratadine, tell your doctor if you have |
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ever had an allergic reaction to an antihistamine; |
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You may not be able to take desloratadine, or you may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if
you have any of the conditions listed above. |
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Desloratadine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means
that it is not known whether desloratadine will be harmful to an unborn
baby. Do not take desloratadine without first talking to your doctor if
you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. |
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Desloratadine passes into breast milk and may affect a
nursing infant. Do not take desloratadine without first talking to your
doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take desloratadine?
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Take desloratadine exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you. |
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Take each regular tablet with a full glass (8 ounces) of
water. |
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Place a desloratadine orally-disintegrating-tablets (Clarinex
Reditabs) on the tongue and allow it dissolve. The tablet will
disintegrate rapidly. Swallow with or without water. Take the
desloratadine orally-disintegrating tablets immediately after removal
from the blister packaging. Do not store for later use. |
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Desloratadine can be taken with or without food. |
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Desloratadine is usually taken once a day. Follow your
doctor's instructions. |
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Never take more of this medication than directed. If your
symptoms do not improve, talk to your doctor. |
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Store desloratadine at room temperature away from moisture
and heat. Avoid exposing the medication to temperatures above 86 degrees
Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius ). |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it
is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the
next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this
medication. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
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Symptoms of a desloratadine overdose are not well known but
may include drowsiness. |
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What should I avoid while taking desloratadine?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Although unlikely, desloratadine may cause
dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness,
avoid these activities. |
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What are the possible side effects of desloratadine?
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If you experience any of the following rare but serious side
effects, stop taking desloratadine and contact your doctor immediately
or seek emergency medical attention. |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or |
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irregular or fast heartbeats. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take desloratadine and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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drowsiness or dizziness; |
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dry mouth or throat; or |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect desloratadine?
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There are no known interactions between desloratadine and
other medications. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal products, during treatment with desloratadine. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about
desloratadine written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach
of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and
complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information
contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been
compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United
States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the
United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
for their patients and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge
and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a
given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate
that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for
any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any
aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum
provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all
possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions,
allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the
drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.02. Revision
Date: 1/ 23/ 04. |
