Drug reference
Symptomatic relief of allergy such as allergic rhinitis, urticaria, chronic idiopathic urticaria ▶BY MOUTH ▶Child 1–5 years: 1.25 mg once daily ▶Child 6–11 years: 2.5 mg once daily ▶Child 12–17 years: 5 mg once daily ▶Adult: 5 mg once daily
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▶Desloratadine is a metabolite of loratadine.
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Contra-indicated if history of hypersensitivity to loratadine.
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Flavours of oral liquid formulations may include bubblegum.
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→Appendix 1: antihistamines, non- sedating
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▶Common or very common Asthenia. dry mouth. headache ▶Rare or very rare Akathisia. arrhythmias. diarrhoea. dizziness. drowsiness. gastrointestinal discomfort. hallucination. hepatic disorders. insomnia. myalgia. nausea. palpitations. seizure. vomiting ▶Frequency not known Behaviour abnormal. photosensitivity reaction. QT interval prolongation SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Non-sedating antihistamines such as desloratadine cause less sedation and psychomotor impairment than the older antihistamines, but can still occur; sedation is generally minimal. This is because non-sedating antihistamines penetrate the blood brain barrier to a much lesser extent.
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Most manufacturers of antihistamines advise avoiding their use during pregnancy; however, there is no evidence of teratogenicity.
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Most antihistamines are present in breast milk in varying amounts; although not known to be harmful, most manufacturers advise avoiding their use in mothers who are breast-feeding.
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Use with caution in severe impairment.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Oral solution EXCIPIENTS: May contain Propylene glycol, sorbitol ▶Desloratadine (Non-proprietary) Desloratadine 500 microgram per 1 ml Desloratadine 2.5mg/5ml oral solution sugar-free | 100 ml P £6.57 sugar-free | 150 ml P £8.12–£9.86 DT = £9.86 ▶Neoclarityn (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd) Desloratadine 500 microgram per 1 ml Neoclarityn 2.5mg/5ml oral solution sugar-free | 100 ml P £6.77 sugar-free | 150 ml P £10.15 DT = £9.86 Tablet ▶Desloratadine (Non-proprietary) Desloratadine 5 mg Desloratadine 5mg tablets | 30 tablet P £6.77 DT = £1.32 ▶Neoclarityn (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd) Desloratadine 5 mg Neoclarityn 5mg tablets | 30 tablet P £6.77 DT = £1.32
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Driving and skilled tasks Although drowsiness is rare, nevertheless patients should be advised that it can occur and may affect performance of skilled tasks (e.g. cycling or driving); excess alcohol should be avoided.
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5 mg once daily
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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