This medication is used to relieve allergy symptoms such
as watery eyes, runny/stuffy nose, itching eyes/nose, and sneezing. It
contains 2 medications: desloratadine and pseudoephedrine. Desloratadine is
an antihistamine and works by blocking a certain natural substance
(histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction.
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant and works by narrowing the blood vessels
in the nose to decrease swelling and congestion.
This medication is not recommended for use in children
younger than 12 years of age due to the large amount of pseudoephedrine in
it.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking this product and each time you get
a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush or chew
the tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the
risk of side effects.
Do not increase your dose or take this medication more
often than directed.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse.
Dizziness, tiredness, dry mouth, sore throat, trouble
sleeping, nausea, or headache may occur. If any of these effects last or
get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat
- shaking (tremor)
- mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, confusion, nervousness,
restlessness)
- problems urinating
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to desloratadine or pseudoephedrine; or to
loratadine; or if you have any other allergies. Also, tell your doctor if
you have had serious side effects from similar medications (such as other
decongestants, including phenylephrine). This product may contain inactive
ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to
your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- glaucoma
- difficulty urinating (such as due to an enlarged
prostate)
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- heart/blood vessel disease (such as coronary artery
disease)
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- liver disease
This drug does not usually make you drowsy when used at
recommended doses. However, this drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or
marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery,
or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit
alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially fast/irregular heartbeat, dizziness, problems
urinating, trouble sleeping, or confusion.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor
before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a
serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors
(isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide,
phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline,
tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors
should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this
medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this
medication.
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as
cough-and-cold products) because they may contain similar ingredients
(decongestants such as phenylephrine). Ask your pharmacist about using
those products safely.
Desloratadine is very similar to loratadine. Do not use
medications containing loratadine while using
desloratadine.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests
(such as allergy skin testing), possibly causing false test results. Make
sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this
drug.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include:
fast/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as anxiety,
restlessness), drowsiness, seizures.
Do not share this medication with others.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.