Symptomatic relief of nasal and nonnasal symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis.
Symptomatic relief (alone or in fixed combination with pseudoephedrine sulfate) of nasal and nonnasal symptoms of seasonal (e.g., hay fever) allergic rhinitis. Use fixed-combination preparation only when both antihistamine and nasal decongestant activity are desired.
Improves nasal and nonnasal symptoms in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and concomitant mild to moderate asthma without impairing pulmonary function.
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Symptomatic treatment of pruritus and urticaria associated with chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Dosage and Administration
Administration
Oral Administration
Administer conventional tablets, oral solution, orally disintegrating tablets, and fixed-combination extended-release tablets orally once daily without regard to meals.
Orally disintegrating tablets: Remove tablet from blister just prior to administration. Place tablet on the tongue, allow it to disintegrate, then swallow with or without water.
Oral solution: To measure and administer dose, use a dropper or syringe calibrated to deliver 2 or 2.5 mL.
Fixed-combination desloratadine/pseudoephedrine sulfate extended-release tablets: Swallow whole; do not chew, break, or crush.
Dosage
Fixed-combination preparation contains 5 mg of desloratadine in an immediate-release outer shell and 240 mg of pseudoephedrine sulfate in an extended-release matrix core that slowly releases the drug.
Pediatric Patients
Allergic Rhinitis
Seasonal
Oral
Children 2–5 years of age: 1.25 mg once daily (as oral solution).
Children 6–11 years of age: 2.5 mg once daily (as oral solution or orally disintegrating tablets).
Children ≥12 years of age: 5 mg once daily (as conventional tablets, oral solution, orally disintegrating tablets, or fixed-combination extended-release tablets with 240 mg pseudoephedrine sulfate).
Perennial
Oral
Children 6–11 months of age: 1 mg once daily (as oral solution).
Children 1–5 years of age: 1.25 mg once daily (as oral solution).
Children 6–11 years of age: 2.5 mg once daily (as oral solution or orally disintegrating tablets).
Children ≥12 years of age: 5 mg once daily (as conventional tablets, oral solution, or orally disintegrating tablets).
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Oral
Children 6–11 months of age: 1 mg once daily (as oral solution).
Children 1–5 years of age: 1.25 mg once daily (as oral solution).
Children 6–11 years of age: 2.5 mg once daily (as oral solution or orally disintegrating tablets).
Children ≥12 years of age: 5 mg once daily (as conventional tablets, oral solution, or orally disintegrating tablets).
Adults
Allergic Rhinitis
Seasonal
Oral
5 mg once daily (as conventional tablets, oral solution, orally disintegrating tablets, or fixed-combination extended-release tablets with pseudoephedrine sulfate).
Perennial
Oral
5 mg once daily (as conventional tablets, oral solution, or orally disintegrating tablets).
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Oral
5 mg once daily (as conventional tablets, oral solution, or orally disintegrating tablets).
Prescribing Limits
Pediatric Patients
Allergic Rhinitis
Oral
Children ≥12 years of age: Dosages >5 mg provide no additional benefit but may increase risk of adverse effects (e.g., somnolence).
Adults
Allergic Rhinitis
Oral
Dosages >5 mg provide no additional benefit but may increase risk of adverse effects (e.g., somnolence).
Special Populations
Dosage adjustment based on gender, race, or age generally not necessary.
Hepatic Impairment
Pediatric patients: No specific dosage recommendations at this time because of lack of data.
Adults: 5 mg every other day (as conventional tablets, oral solution, or orally disintegrating tablets). Avoid fixed-combination preparation.
Renal Impairment
Pediatric patients: No specific dosage recommendations at this time because of lack of data.
Adults: 5 mg every other day (as conventional tablets, oral solution, orally disintegrating tablets, or fixed-combination tablets).
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