Brand Names: Claritin-D, Claritin-D 24 Hour

Generic Name: loratadine and pseudoephedrine (Pronunciation: lor AT a deen and soo doe e FED rin)

• What is desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin D)?
• What are the possible side effects of desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin D)?
• What is the most important information I should know about desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin D)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin D)?
• How should I take desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin D)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Claritin D)?
• What happens if I overdose (Claritin D)?
• What should I avoid while taking desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin D)?
• What other drugs will affect desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin D)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin D)?

Desloratadine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

The combination of desloratadine and pseudoephedrine is used to treat sneezing, cough, runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other symptoms of allergies and the common cold.

Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Claritin-D 24 Hour

oblong, white, imprinted with CLARITIN D 24 HOUR

Claritin-D

round, white, imprinted with CLARITIN D

What are the possible side effects of desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin D)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Keep taking the medication and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• blurred vision;
• dry mouth;
• nausea, stomach pain, constipation;
• mild loss of appetite, stomach upset;
• warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• restless or excitability (especially in children);
• skin rash or itching;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• problems with memory or concentration; or
• ringing in your ears.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin D)?

Always ask a doctor before giving a cold or allergy medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains an antihistamine or decongestant.

Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of this medication.