Clarinex

INDICATIONS

Clarinex is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

It is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions.

INSTRUCTIONS

Take Clarinex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Clarinex is usually taken once per day.

Do not crush, chew, or break the regular Clarinex tablet. Swallow the pill whole.

To take desloratadine orally disintegrating tablet (Clarinex RediTabs):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it on your tongue. It will begin to dissolve right away.
• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink water to help swallow the dissolved tablet. 

DOSAGE

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed to you by your doctor.

STORAGE 

Store Clarinex at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

SAFETY INFORMATION

You should not take Clarinex if you are allergic to desloratadine or to loratadine (Claritin).

To make sure you can safely take Clarinex, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease; or
liver disease.

It is not known whether Clarinex is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Clarinex can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Clarinex without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Clarinex: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
fever, flu symptoms;
seizure (convulsions); or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious Clarinex side effects may include:

dry mouth, sore throat, cough;
muscle pain;
drowsiness, tired feeling;
nausea, diarrhea; or
headache.