desloratadine at a glance
Medicine class
A selective peripheral H1-antihistamine.
Licensed uses
Symptom relief in allergic rhinitis and urticaria.
Available forms
Film-coated tablets for adults and adolescents from 12 years; oral solution for adults and children over 1 year.
Food
Tablets and oral solution can be taken with or without food.
Drowsiness
Less likely than with sedating antihistamines, but it can still occur.
What is desloratadine used for?
Selected UK products are licensed to relieve symptoms associated with:
Allergic rhinitis, including allergy-related nasal and eye symptoms.
Urticaria, including itching and hives.
How does desloratadine work?
Histamine activates H1 receptors during an allergic response. Desloratadine mainly blocks peripheral H1 receptors and does not readily enter the central nervous system, helping explain its lower tendency to cause drowsiness.
desloratadine preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg
How to take desloratadine
Follow the dispensing label or prescriber's instructions. Swallow tablets with water. Measure oral solution with the supplied spoon or oral syringe rather than a household spoon; swallow it and drink some water. Either form may be taken with or without food.
Do not give the selected oral solution to a child under 1 year.
Do not give the selected tablets to a child under 12 years.
Establish how desloratadine affects alertness before driving or using machinery.
desloratadine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- In children under 2 using oral solution: diarrhoea, fever or difficulty sleeping
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty or facial, mouth or throat swelling
- Seizure
- Pounding, fast or irregular heartbeat, particularly with dizziness or fainting
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, which may indicate a liver problem
desloratadine in pregnancy
Available data have not identified malformations or fetal or neonatal toxicity, but UK product information recommends avoiding desloratadine as a precaution. For allergic rhinitis, UK specialist guidance prefers loratadine or cetirizine when an oral antihistamine is needed. Discuss treatment with a pharmacist, prescriber or maternity professional.
desloratadine while breastfeeding
Desloratadine has been detected in breastfed infants, and its effects are uncertain. UK specialist guidance generally prefers loratadine or cetirizine while breastfeeding a full-term, healthy infant. A prescriber should balance the need for desloratadine against breastfeeding benefits, with specialist advice for premature or unwell infants.
desloratadine interactions
Clinically important interactions appear uncommon, but medicines and alcohol should still be reviewed.
Alcohol
Use caution because reports include alcohol intolerance and intoxication; avoid driving if sleepy or impaired.
Other antihistamines, including combination cough or cold products
Combining products can duplicate antihistamine exposure and increase side effects; check with a pharmacist or prescriber first.
Erythromycin or ketoconazole
Clinical studies found no clinically relevant interaction, although the wider medication list should still be reviewed.
Common questions about desloratadine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What symptoms does desloratadine treat?
It relieves allergy-related sneezing, runny or itchy nose, itchy or watery eyes, itching and hives.
Is desloratadine the same as loratadine?
No. They are related antihistamines; desloratadine is loratadine's primary active metabolite.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.