Desloratadine Odt, Clarinex

Introduction

Written by Lee Holland, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on September 7, 2023

Desloratadine (des lor AT a deen) is a generic medication prescribed for allergies. Desloratadine belongs to a group of allergy drugs called second-generation antihistamines.

Common questions about desloratadine

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about desloratadine.

Is desloratadine similar to loratadine?

Yes, they’re similar drugs. Desloratadine and loratadine belong to a group of allergy drugs called second-generation antihistamines. They’re used to treat allergies.

While desloratadine is a prescription medication, loratadine is available over the counter without a prescription. Your doctor or pharmacist discuss the conditions loratadine may be used to treat.

If you’d like to know which drug is a better option for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What brand names are available for desloratadine?

Desloratadine is a generic medication. The brand-name version of desloratadine is called Clarinex.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work. Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.

To learn more about desloratadine and its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is desloratadine a steroid?

No, desloratadine isn’t a steroid. Instead, it’s an antihistamine. It works by blocking the action of histamine, which is a chemical in the body that’s involved in allergy symptoms. Steroids, on the other hand, work by reducing inflammation.

See the question just below to learn more about how desloratadine works. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have more questions about this.

How does desloratadine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Desloratadine works by stopping your body from releasing histamine. Histamine is a chemical in the body that’s involved in allergy symptoms. By reducing histamine in the body, desloratadine can stop allergic reactions or help them to be less severe.

The drug starts working about 1 hour after it’s taken.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects of desloratadine

Desloratadine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of desloratadine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about desloratadine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for desloratadine listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of desloratadine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about desloratadine’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for desloratadine listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Desloratadine oral tablet’s and oral disintegrating tablet’s (ODT’s)* mild side effects include:

• sore throat
• dry mouth
• sleepiness
• fatigue (lack of energy)
• mild allergic reaction†

* ODTs dissolve when placed inside the mouth.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for desloratadine” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of desloratadine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about desloratadine’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for desloratadine listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, desloratadine’s serious side effects include:

• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for desloratadine” section.

Uses of desloratadine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as desloratadine for certain conditions. Approved uses for desloratadine are described below.

Use for allergies

Doctors may prescribe desloratadine oral tablet or orally disintegrating tablet (ODT)* to treat allergic rhinitis. This condition is allergy symptoms affecting the nose. The drug can also help with other allergy symptoms. It’s used to treat seasonal allergies, which occur at certain times of the year, such as spring and summer. It’s also used to treat perennial allergies, which can occur at any time of the year.

The oral tablet is used for seasonal allergies and perennial allergies in adults and children ages 12 years and older. The ODT is used for perennial allergies in adults and children ages 6 months and older. And it’s used for seasonal allergies in adults and children ages 2 years and older. Desloratadine may be prescribed as a short-term or long-term treatment.

With allergies, the body releases a chemical called histamine. Histamine can cause sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and red and watering eyes. Desloratadine can help relieve allergy symptoms and make them less severe.

* ODTs dissolve when placed inside the mouth.

Interactions and warnings for desloratadine

Below, you’ll find information about desloratadine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of desloratadine

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take desloratadine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for desloratadine” section below.

Warnings for desloratadine

Desloratadine should not be taken by certain people.

Desloratadine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether desloratadine is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of desloratadine you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for desloratadine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Desloratadine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to desloratadine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe desloratadine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to desloratadine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of desloratadine

You should not take more desloratadine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much desloratadine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and desloratadine

Information about desloratadine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Desloratadine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether desloratadine should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Desloratadine and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether desloratadine should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about desloratadine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Are there allergy treatment options for people who can’t swallow pills?
• What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction to desloratadine?
• How long can I safely take desloratadine for my allergies?

Resources

• Desloratadine — desloratadine tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/69b9635b-c790-4316-a790-67b0f5512b72/spl-doc
• Desloratadine — desloratadine tablet, orally disintegrating. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e5d1f465-e436-b4fd-d351-07a7b2acb440/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.