Desloratadine: Uses, Side Effects, and Price Guide
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| Desloratadine: Uses, Side Effects, Price Guide |
As a sufferer of seasonal allergies, you may have heard of desloratadine, an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. Desloratadine works by blocking the effects of histamine, a natural substance in the body that causes allergy symptoms. Available under the brand name Clarinex, desloratadine comes as a tablet, liquid, or disintegrating tablet to take by mouth. While desloratadine can provide relief from allergy symptoms, it may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth in some people. Desloratadine is available as a generic medication and costs between $10 to $30 for a month's supply depending on the form and dosage. This overview will cover the uses, side effects, costs, and other key details about desloratadine to help you determine if this antihistamine is right for managing your seasonal allergies.
What Is Desloratadine?
What Is Desloratadine?
Desloratadine is an antihistamine medication used to relieve symptoms of allergy and hay fever. It works by blocking the effects of histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. Desloratadine is in a class of drugs known as H1 receptor antagonists or H1 blockers.
Desloratadine comes as an oral tablet and oral syrup (liquid) to be taken by mouth. The tablets and syrup are usually taken once a day with or without food. Desloratadine provides 24 hours of relief from symptoms such as:
Sneezing
Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Itchy, watery eyes
Hives and rash
Common side effects may include:
Headache
Dry mouth
Fatigue
Desloratadine is available as a generic drug and sold under the brand names Clarinex and Aerius. The cost for desloratadine oral tablets (5 mg) is around $15 to $25 for 30 tablets. The syrup (2.5 mg/5 mL) typically costs between $10 to $20 for a 60 mL bottle. The actual price you pay will depend on your insurance plan and the pharmacy used.
In summary, desloratadine is an effective and affordable treatment option for allergy symptoms with minimal side effects for most people. When used as directed, desloratadine can help relieve bothersome symptoms so you can enjoy activities outdoors during allergy season.
The Uses of Desloratadine for Allergies
Desloratadine is an antihistamine medication used to relieve symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. As an antihistamine, desloratadine works by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction.
Desloratadine can help relieve allergy symptoms such as:
Sneezing
Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Postnasal drip
Itchy, watery eyes
Hives
Itching
For seasonal allergies like hay fever, desloratadine can reduce symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It may also relieve eye irritation and itching from airborne allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.
###For chronic hives or urticaria
Desloratadine can help reduce the severity and frequency of hives, also known as wheals or welts. It works to relieve the swelling, redness, and itching associated with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Treatment with desloratadine may significantly improve hive symptoms and allow for periods of remission.
In summary, desloratadine can effectively relieve a range of allergy symptoms for conditions like seasonal allergic rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis, and chronic idiopathic urticaria. When taken as directed, desloratadine is generally well tolerated with a low risk of side effects. However, you should always follow the recommendations of your doctor regarding treatment and dosage.
Potential Side Effects of Taking Desloratadine
Desloratadine may cause some side effects, although not everyone experiences them. The most common side effects are:
Dry mouth. Desloratadine can reduce saliva flow, leading to dry mouth. Drink plenty of water and use sugar-free candies or gum to stimulate saliva flow.
Drowsiness. Desloratadine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue in some people. Use caution when driving or doing other activities requiring alertness until you know how the medication affects you.
Headache. You may experience mild headaches, especially when you first start taking desloratadine. The headaches are usually temporary, but contact your doctor if they are severe or persistent.
Less common side effects include:
Nausea or upset stomach. Desloratadine can irritate the stomach, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain. Take desloratadine with food and plenty of water to minimize irritation.
Muscle pain. Some people experience muscle aches or pains while taking desloratadine. Let your doctor know if muscle pain is severe or does not go away.
Restlessness or excitability. Desloratadine may cause temporary feelings of restlessness, especially in children and the elderly. Contact your doctor if restlessness causes problems with daily activities.
Rare but serious side effects can include fast or irregular heartbeat, seizures, and severe allergic reactions. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience these or other severe side effects after taking desloratadine.
Desloratadine is generally well tolerated, but as with any medication, side effects are possible. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about side effects or if they become troublesome or persistent. Dosage adjustments or switching to an alternative antihistamine may help reduce side effects.
What to Expect When Taking Desloratadine
When taking desloratadine, you can expect the following:
Reduced Allergic Symptoms
Desloratadine works by blocking histamine, a chemical in the body that causes allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and hives. By preventing histamine from binding to its receptors, desloratadine reduces inflammation and relieves common allergy symptoms. You should notice decreased sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and eye irritation within a few hours of the first dose. Full effectiveness may take a couple of days of continued use.
Possible Side Effects
As with any medication, desloratadine may cause unwanted side effects in some individuals. The most common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. Dry mouth, nausea, and stomach pain have also been reported. Desloratadine can also cause hypersensitivity reactions like rash, hives, swelling, and anaphylaxis in rare cases. Seek medical help immediately if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Desloratadine is unlikely to cause drowsiness or impaired alertness in most people when taken as prescribed at the recommended dosage. However, use caution when driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Alcohol and some medications can increase drowsiness, so check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions with Other Drugs
Before starting desloratadine, tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications or supplements you are taking. Desloratadine may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), azole antifungals like ketoconazole, and macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin and clarithromycin. These interactions could increase side effects or reduce effectiveness. Your doctor may adjust dosages or switch medications to minimize risks.
In summary, desloratadine can provide effective relief from allergy symptoms for many people. However, like any medication, it may cause side effects or interact with other drugs in some individuals. Follow all dosage instructions carefully and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about using desloratadine.
The Cost of Desloratadine: Price Guide and Savings Tips
The cost of desloratadine can vary depending on the specific product and dosage. As with most medications, generic versions of desloratadine tend to be more affordable than brand name options. The following price ranges can be used as a general guide:
Generic desloratadine tablets (5 mg)
30 tablets: $4 to $15
90 tablets: $10 to $30
Clarinex brand desloratadine tablets (5 mg)
30 tablets: $50 to $70
90 tablets: $120 to $200
Clarinex-D 12 Hour brand (desloratadine 5 mg and pseudoephedrine sulfate 240 mg)
10 tablets: $20 to $35
There are several ways to save money on desloratadine:
Choose generic desloratadine instead of Clarinex. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as brand name drugs but at a much lower cost.
Buy larger quantities. Larger bottle sizes often have a lower cost per pill. You can also ask your doctor for a higher dosage prescription and split the pills in half to double the amount.
Check for coupons and discounts. You may be able to find coupons for Clarinex on the manufacturer's website or through a discount service like GoodRx. Some pharmacies like Costco also often have lower prices.
Consider a mail-order pharmacy. Mail-order pharmacies typically offer lower prices for a 90-day supply of medication. This can save you money, especially if you take desloratadine daily for seasonal allergies.
Ask about patient assistance programs. If you cannot afford your desloratadine prescription, the drug manufacturer or a non-profit organization may be able to help through a patient assistance program. Eligibility depends on factors like income and insurance status.
By choosing affordable options and taking advantage of available savings, most individuals should be able to find desloratadine at a price they can budget for. Be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns about the cost of your medication or need help finding lower-cost alternatives or resources.
Conclusion
As you have read, desloratadine is an antihistamine medication used to relieve symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion from allergies. Though generally well tolerated, as with any medication, side effects are possible. Be sure to take desloratadine only as directed by your doctor. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about taking this medication. The good news is generic desloratadine can help provide relief from your allergy symptoms at a lower cost. By understanding how desloratadine works and its potential side effects, you can decide if this medication is right for you based on your allergy symptoms and medical history.
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