Drug reference

Desloratadine

Antihistamine

CDSCO approved

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

—

none in our sources

PREGNANCY

Most manufacturers advise avoiding use during pregnancy; however, there is no evidence of teratogenicity.

FDA category + note

Mechanism

Desloratadine is a second-generation H1 antagonist that causes less sedation and psychomotor impairment than older antihistamines because it penetrates the blood brain barrier only to a slight extent. Its effect is confined to the suppression of symptoms attributable to histamine released by antigen-antibody reactions.

Indications

Symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitisSymptomatic relief of urticariaSymptomatic relief of chronic idiopathic urticariaallergic rhinitisconjunctivitishay feverpollinosisurticariadermographismatopic eczemaacute allergic reactions to drugs and foods

Dosing

Adult: 5 mg once daily by mouth
Pediatric: Child 1 5 years: 1.25 mg once daily by mouth; Child 6 11 years: 2.5 mg once daily by mouth; Child 12 17 years: 5 mg once daily by mouth
Renal adjustment: In adults and children: Use half normal dose if eGFR 30 50 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Use half normal dose and reduce dose frequency to alternate days if eGFR 10 30 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Avoid if eGFR less than 10 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Use with caution in severe impairment.

Pharmacokinetics

Bioavailability

DL: —

Protein binding

DL: 82–87%

Metabolism

Metabolite of loratadine

Excretion

DL: —

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to loratadine

Side effects

Common

AstheniaDry mouthHeadachenon-interference with psychomotor performance

Serious

Akathisia
Arrhythmias
Diarrhoea
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Gastrointestinal discomfort
Hallucination
Hepatic disorders
Insomnia
Myalgia
Nausea
Palpitations
Seizure
Vomiting
Abnormal behavior
Photosensitivity reaction
QT interval prolongation

Pregnancy & lactation

Pregnancy

Most manufacturers advise avoiding use during pregnancy; however, there is no evidence of teratogenicity.

Lactation

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.

Drug interactions

Erythromycin

Moderate

Database

Increased plasma concentrations of desloratadine and its active metabolite, 3-hydroxydesloratadine, leading to a potential for increased antihistaminic effects. While desloratadine has a good cardiac safety profile, the combination with other QTc-prolonging drugs should be considered with caution.

Monitor for increased antihistaminic effects (e.g., sedation). While desloratadine has a good safety profile, caution is advised, especially in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions. Dose adjustment of desloratadine is generally not required based on current evidence, but individual patient response should be considered.

Source: DDInter

Ketoconazole

Moderate

Database

Increased plasma concentrations of desloratadine and its active metabolite, 3-hydroxydesloratadine, leading to a potential for increased antihistaminic effects and possibly a slight increase in QTc interval, though generally not clinically significant with desloratadine alone.

Source: DDInter

10 additional unreviewed or low-confidence interactions hidden because their provenance or source detail is insufficient.