Desloratadine 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.

Desloratadine is used to treat the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. It is also used to treat skin hives and itching in people with chronic skin reactions.

Desloratadine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

Before taking desloratadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Desloratadine disintegrating tablets (Clarinex RediTabs) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of desloratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

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

To make sure you can safely take desloratadine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease; or

• liver disease.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether desloratadine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Desloratadine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication 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.

Desloratadine disintegrating tablets (Clarinex RediTabs) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of desloratadine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.