Desloratadine

Desloratadine is a non-drowsy antihistamine medicine and is sold in tablet form but can also be sourced in liquid form. Desloratadine is not available over the counter and is a prescription-only medicine. The Family Chemist can provide you a prescription and medicine and deliver it to your door the following day. Desloratadine is used to help relieve allergy symptoms such as hay fever, hives, bites and stinks and some food allergies. Desloratadine works by blocking the effects of a natural hormone called histamine. Histamine is part of your immune response when an allergen comes in contact with your body. It can cause symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, running or blocked nose, sneezing or skin rashes. Desloratadine can take effect within an hour and can be taken to prevent and treat symptoms.

Choosing the best hayfever or allergy treatment is based on trial and error. There is no right or wrong answer. People have an individual responses to antihistamine medicines and some may work better for you compared to others.

Desloratadine comes in 5mg tablets and the usual dose is 5mg once daily. It is recommended you swallow the whole tablet with water with or without food. We recommend you take desloratadine at a similar time every day. If you miss a dose, then take it as soon as you remember but do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Generally, desloratadine is a very safe medicine but from time to time you may experience side effects. The common side effects include feeling sleepy, headaches, or feeling tired or nervous. The full list of side effects is available in the patient information leaflet.