desloratadine-pseudoephedrine

Desloratadine is an antihistamine that provides relief of seasonal allergy symptoms such as watery/itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that relieves a stuffy nose, helps drain the sinuses, and improves breathing. This medication is not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years because the large amount of pseudoephedrine may cause serious side effects.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually twice daily or as directed by your doctor. Do not crush or chew this medication. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing. Dosage is based on your medical condition. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than directed. Do not take this medication for several days before allergy testing since test results may be affected. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during, and after treatment with this medication. In some cases a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction may occur. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: adrenaline-like drugs (e.g., ephedrine, methylphenidate), digoxin, certain high blood pressure drugs (e.g., guanethidine, methyldopa, reserpine, beta-blockers such as propranolol), herbal products containing ephedra/ma huang. Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain additional antihistamines and decongestants that could increase your risk for side effects. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Do not share this medication with others.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: irregular/fast/unusually slow heartbeat, hallucinations, unusual nervousness/excitement, seizures.

Before taking desloratadine with pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to loratadine; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: glaucoma (narrow-angle type), severe difficulty urinating (urinary retention), severe high blood pressure, severe heart/blood vessel disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), history of a certain serious side effect with decongestants (irregular heart rhythm). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, problems urinating (e.g., enlarged prostate), high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems (e.g., ischemic heart disease), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), other types of glaucoma (e.g., open-angle type). Limit alcoholic beverages because alcohol may increase side effects. (See also Side Effects section.) Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Avoid storing above 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Dry mouth, headache, trouble sleeping, tiredness, throat discomfort, nausea, dizziness, stomach upset, or loss of appetite may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This medication does not usually cause drowsiness when used at recommended doses and in normal situations. However, this drug may make you dizzy. Therefore, use caution engaging in activities that require alertness such as driving or using machinery. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: shaking, fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, mental/mood changes, seizures, difficulty urinating. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.