Desloratadina

About desloratadine

Exposure to substances such as pollen, animal fur or house dust mite can cause your body to produce allergic symptoms. Cells in the lining of your nose release a chemical called histamine when they come into contact with these substances. This leads to inflammation (rinitis), which produces symptoms such as sneezing and a runny or blocked nose. Desloratadine, an antihistamine, stops the effects of histamine and this helps to relieve these symptoms.

Urticaria is a condition where an itchy skin rash develops. The rash may be triggered by an allergy, or by another factor such as heat or exercise. Desloratadine eases the symptoms until the rash clears.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you (or your child) start taking desloratadine it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si estás embarazada, intentando tener un bebé o amamantando.

• Si tienes problemas con el funcionamiento de tus riñones.

• If you have epilepsy or there is a family history of fits (seizures).

• Si está tomando o usando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a otro antihistamínico, o a cualquier otro medicamento.

• Before you start treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. It will give you more information about desloratadine and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Recommended doses of desloratadine are:

• • For adults and for children aged over 12 years: 5 mg taken once a day.

  • For children aged 6-12 years: 2.5 mg taken once a day. This is 5 ml of the liquid medicine.

  • For children aged 1-6 years: 1.25 mg taken once a day. This is 2.5 ml of the liquid medicine.

• If you are giving desloratadine liquid medicine to a child, make sure you follow the dosing instructions on the bottle carefully so that you measure out the correct dose.

• You can take desloratadine before or after meals. Some people find it helps to swallow the tablets with a drink of water.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela tan pronto como lo recuerde. Si no lo recuerda hasta el día siguiente, omita la dosis olvidada. No tome dos dosis juntas para compensar una dosis olvidada.

• Most people only need to take an antihistamine for a short while when they have symptoms. You should stop taking desloratadine once your symptoms have eased.

• Although desloratadine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, it can still cause drowsiness in a few people. If this happens to you, do not drive and do not use tools or machines.

• If you drink alcohol while you are on desloratadine, be aware of its effects on you and do not drink more than moderate amounts. Alcohol can increase the risk of side-effects from antihistamines.

• If you are having an operation, or any treatment or tests (particularly if it is to test for an allergy), make sure you say that you are taking an antihistamine.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with an antihistamine. This is because a number of other medicines can increase the risk of side-effects.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with desloratadine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms that you think may be due to the medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.