Is Clarinex an Effective Treatment for Allergies?

Question: Is Clarinex an Effective Treatment for Allergies?

Answer: Clarinex (desloratadine) is an effective antihistamine for a variety of allergic conditions. It is the active metabolite of Claritin (loratadine), and is approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and urticaria (hives) for adults and children 6 months of age and older. Clarinex is available only by prescription, and comes in a variety of formulations, including tablets, oral disintegrating tablets, liquid, as well as in combination with pseudoephedrine (Clarinex-D) in both 12 and 24-hour versions.

Antihistamines such as Clarinex start to work within a few hours of taking the medicine, so they can be taken on an as-needed basis (or daily if needed) for the treatment of allergy symptoms. In general, Clarinex works similar to other second-generation antihistamines, such as Allegra and Zyrtec, although it also has been shown to improve nasal congestion – which is not typical of antihistamines unless combined with an oral decongestant (such as pseudoephedrine).

Most people can take Clarinex without problems or side effects. The most common side effects include sore throat, body aches, sedation, fatigue and dry mouth, as well as menstrual irregularities in women. The rates of these side effects are low, with less than 5% of people taking Clarinex experiencing these symptoms. They were not significantly higher than in those people taking placebo.

Learn everything you’ve every wanted to know about antihistamines.

_Sources:

_{Clarinex Package Insert. Merck Corporation. Website Accessed June 23, 2011.}

_{Horak, et al. Effect of Desloratadine on Nasal Airflow in Subjects with Grass Pollen Induced Allergic Rhinitis in an Allergen-Exposure Unit. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002; 109:956-61.}

_{DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.}