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Desloratadine
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC DirectoryForms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonists [MoA] | MoA | All 136 members |
| Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist [EPC] | EPC | All 134 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 078367-001 | DESLORATADINE | TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING | DESLORATADINE | Prescription | — | ||
| 078367-002 | DESLORATADINE | TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING | DESLORATADINE | Prescription | — | RS |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookCodes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 5 | Labeling | Approved | October 22, 2019 | Standard |
| Supplement | 2 | Labeling | Approved | February 11, 2015 | Standard |
| Supplement | 1 | Labeling | Approved | November 18, 2011 | — |
| Original application | 1 | Approved | July 12, 2010 | — |
Review documents
- 0 · Original application · July 14, 2010
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20240228). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug Labeling1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Desloratadine is a histamine-1 (H 1 ) receptor antagonist indicated for: Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms in patients 2 years of age and older. (1.1) Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms in patients 6 months of age and older. (1.2) Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria: symptomatic relief of pruritus, reduction in the number of hives, and size of hives in patients 6 months of age and older. ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets are indicated for the relief of the nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients 2 years of age and older. 1.2 Perennial Allergic Rhinitis Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets are indicated for the relief of the nasal and non-nasal symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis in patients 6 months of age and older. 1.3 Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets are indicated for the symptomatic relief of pruritus, reduction in the number of hives, and size of hives, in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria 6 months of age and older.
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug Labeling2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets may be taken without regard to meals. Place desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets on the tongue and allow to disintegrate before swallowing. Tablet disintegration occurs rapidly. Administer with or without water. Take tablet immediately after opening the blister. Dosage (by age): Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Over: Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets - one 5 mg tablet once daily (2) Children 6 to 11 Years of Age: Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets - one 2.5 mg tablet once daily (2) 2.1 Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Over The recommended dose of desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets is one 5 mg tablet once daily. 2.2 Children 6 to 11 Years of Age The recommended dose of desloratadine orally disintegrating tablet is one 2.5 mg tablet once daily. NOTE: Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets are not recommended for use in pediatric patients under 6 years of age as desloratadine syrup is better suited for these patients. 2.5 Adults with Hepatic or Renal Impairment In adult patients with liver or renal impairment, a starting dose of one 5 mg tablet every other day is recommended based on pharmacokinetic data. Dosing recommendation for children with liver or renal impairment cannot be made due to lack of data [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Dosage Forms and Strengths
openFDA Drug Labeling3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets USP, 2.5 mg are light red colored, speckled, round, flat, uncoated, beveled edged debossed with “R” on one side and “551” on the other side. Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets USP, 5 mg are light red colored, speckled, round, flat, uncoated, beveled edged debossed with “RDY” on one side and “360” on the other side. Desloratadine orally-disintegrating tablets - 5 mg (3) Desloratadine orally-disintegrating tablets - 2.5 mg (3)
Contraindications
openFDA Drug Labeling4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets are contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to this medication or to any of its ingredients or to loratadine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]. Hypersensitivity ( 4 , 6.2 )
Warnings and Cautions
openFDA Drug Labeling5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity reactions including rash, pruritus, urticaria, edema, dyspnea, and anaphylaxis have been reported. In such cases, stop desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets at once and consider alternative treatments. (5.1) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions including rash, pruritus, urticaria, edema, dyspnea, and anaphylaxis have been reported after administration of desloratadine. If such a reaction occurs, therapy with desloratadine should be stopped and alternative treatment should be considered. [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug Labeling6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: Hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) . ] The most common adverse reactions (reported in ≥2% of adult and adolescent patients with allergic rhinitis and greater than placebo) were pharyngitis, dry mouth, myalgia, fatigue, somnolence, dysmenorrhea. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Inc., at 1-888-375-3784 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Adults and Adolescents Allergic Rhinitis: In multiple-dose placebo-controlled trials, 2,834 patients ages 12 years or older received desloratadine tablets at doses of 2.5 mg to 20 mg daily, of whom 1,655 patients received the recommended daily dose of 5 mg. In patients receiving 5 mg daily, the rate of adverse events was similar between desloratadine and placebo-treated patients. The percent of patients who withdrew prematurely due to adverse events was 2.4% in the desloratadine group and 2.6% in the placebo group. There were no serious adverse events in these trials in patients receiving desloratadine. All adverse events that were reported by greater than or equal to 2% of patients who received the recommended daily dose of desloratadine tablets (5 mg once daily), and that were more common with desloratadine tablets than placebo, are listed in Table 1. Table 1: Incidence of Adverse Events Reported by ≥2% of Adult and Adolescent Allergic Rhinitis Patients Receiving Desloratadine Tablets Adverse Event Desloratadine Tablets 5 mg (n=1655) Placebo (n=1652) Infections and Infestations Pharyngitis 4.1% 2.0% Nervous System Disorders Somnolence 2.1% 1.8% Gastrointestinal Disorders Dry Mouth 3.0% 1.9% Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Myalgia 2.1% 1.8% Reproductive System and Breast Disorders Dysmenorrhea 2.1% 1.6% General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue 2.1% 1.2% The frequency and magnitude of laboratory and electrocardiographic abnormalities were similar in desloratadine and placebo-treated patients. There were no differences in adverse events for subgroups of patients as defined by gender, age, or race. Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria: In multiple-dose, placebo-controlled trials of chronic idiopathic urticaria, 211 patients ages 12 years or older received desloratadine and 205 received placebo. Adverse events that were reported by greater than or equal to 2% of patients who received desloratadine and that were more common with desloratadine than placebo were (rates for desloratadine and placebo, respectively): headache (14%, 13%), nausea (5%, 2%), fatigue (5%, 1%), dizziness (4%, 3%), pharyngitis (3%, 2%), dyspepsia (3%, 1%), and myalgia (3%, 1%). Pediatrics Two hundred and forty-six pediatric subjects 6 months to 11 years of age received desloratadine for 15 days in three placebo-controlled clinical trials. Pediatric subjects aged 6 to 11 years received 2.5 mg once a day, subjects aged 1 to 5 years received 1.25 mg once a day, and subjects 6 to 11 months of age received 1 mg once a day. In subjects 6 to 11 years of age, no individual adverse event was reported by 2 percent or more of the subjects. In subjects 2 to 5 years of age, adverse events reported for desloratadine and placebo in at least 2 percent of subjects receiving desloratadine and at a frequency greater than placebo were fever (5.5%, 5.4%), urinary tract infection (3.6%, 0%) and varicella (3.6%, 0%). In subjects 12 months to 23 months of age, adverse events reported for the desloratadine product and placebo in at least 2 percent of subjects receiving desloratadine and at a frequency greater than placebo were …
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug Labeling7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Inhibitors of Cytochrome P450 3A4 In controlled clinical studies co-administration of desloratadine with ketoconazole, erythromycin, or azithromycin resulted in increased plasma concentrations of desloratadine and 3 hydroxy desloratadine, but there were no clinically relevant changes in the safety profile of desloratadine. [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) . ] 7.2 Fluoxetine In controlled clinical studies co-administration of desloratadine with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), resulted in increased plasma concentrations of desloratadine and 3 hydroxydesloratadine, but there were no clinically relevant changes in the safety profile of desloratadine. [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) .] 7.3 Cimetidine In controlled clinical studies co-administration of desloratadine with cimetidine, a histamine H 2 -receptor antagonist, resulted in increased plasma concentrations of desloratadine and 3 hydroxydesloratadine, but there were no clinically relevant changes in the safety profile of desloratadine. [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) .]
Use in Specific Populations
openFDA Drug Labeling8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Renal impairment: dosage adjustment is recommended ( 2.5 , 8.6 , 12.3 ) Hepatic impairment: dosage adjustment is recommended ( 2.5 , 8.7 , 12.3 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The limited available data with desloratadine in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. There are no adequate and well‐controlled studies in pregnant women. Desloratadine given during organogenesis to pregnant rats was not teratogenic at the summed area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)‐based exposures of desloratadine and its metabolite approximately 320 times that at the recommended human daily oral dose (RHD) of 5 mg/day. Desloratadine given during organogenesis to pregnant rabbits was not teratogenic at the AUC-based exposures of desloratadine approximately 230 times that at the RHD. Desloratadine given to pregnant rats during organogenesis through lactation resulted in reduced body weight and slow righting reflex of F 1 pups at the summed AUC-based exposures of desloratadine and its metabolite approximately 70 times or greater than that at the RHD [see Data]. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Desloratadine was given orally during organogenesis to pregnant rats at doses of 6, 24 and 48 mg/kg/day (approximately 50, 200 and 320 times the summed AUC-based exposure of desloratadine and its metabolite at the RHD). No fetal malformations were present. Reduced fetal weights and skeletal variations noted at doses of 24 and 48 mg/kg/day were likely secondary to the maternal toxicities of reduced body weight gain and food consumption observed at the same doses. Desloratadine was also given orally during organogenesis to pregnant rabbits at doses of 15, 30 and 60 mg/kg/day (approximately 30, 70 and 230 times the AUC-based exposure of desloratadine at the RHD). No adverse effects to the fetus were noted. Reduced maternal body weight gain was noted in rabbits at 60 mg/kg/day. In a peri-and post-natal development study, desloratadine was given to rats orally during the peri-natal (Gestation Day 6) through lactation periods (Postpartum Day 21) at doses of 3, 9 and 18 mg/kg/day. Reduced body weight and slow righting reflex were reported in F 1 pups at doses of 9 mg/kg/day or greater (approximately 70 times or greater than the summed AUC-based exposure of desloratadine and its metabolite at the RHD). Desloratadine had no effect on F 1 pup development at 3 mg/kg/day (approximately 10 times the summed AUC-based exposure of desloratadine and its metabolite at the RHD). Maternal toxicities including reduced body weight gain and food consumption were noted at 18 mg/kg/day for F 0 dams. F 1 offspring were subsequently mated and there was no developmental toxicity for F 2 pups observed. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Desloratadine passes into breast milk. There are not sufficient data on the effects of desloratadine on the breastfed infant or the effects of desloratadine on milk production. The decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue desloratadine, taking into account the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding, the nursing mother’s clinical need, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from desloratadine or from the underlying maternal condition. 8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Infertility There are no data available on human infertility associated with desloratadine. There were no clinically relevant effects of desloratadine on female fertility in rats. A male specific decrease in fertility occurred at an oral desloratadine dose of 12 mg/kg or greater in rats (approximately 65 times the summed AUC-based exposure of desloratadine …
Mechanism of Action
openFDA Drug Labeling12.1 Mechanism of Action Desloratadine is a long-acting tricyclic histamine antagonist with selective H 1 -receptor histamine antagonist activity. Receptor binding data indicates that at a concentration of 2 to 3 ng/mL (7 nanomolar), desloratadine shows significant interaction with the human histamine H 1 -receptor. Desloratadine inhibited histamine release from human mast cells in vitro. Results of a radiolabeled tissue distribution study in rats and a radioligand H 1 -receptor binding study in guinea pigs showed that desloratadine did not readily cross the blood brain barrier. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.
Description
openFDA Drug Labeling11 DESCRIPTION The desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets, USP light red colored, speckled, round, flat, uncoated, beveled edged debossed with “R” on one side and “551” on the other side for the 2.5 mg tablets and a “light red colored, speckled, round, flat, uncoated, beveled edged debossed with “RDY” on one side and “360” on the other side for the 5 mg tablets. Each orally disintegrating tablet contains either 5 mg or 2.5 mg of desloratadine. It also contains the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous citric acid, aspartame, colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, ferric oxide, mannitol, lactose anhydrous, microcrystalline cellulose, polacrilex resin, sodium stearyl fumarate, talc, tutti frutti flavor. Desloratadine, USP is a white to light pink colored powder that is soluble in dichloromethane. It has an molecular formula: C 19 H 19 ClN 2 and a molecular weight of 310.8. The chemical name is 8-chloro-6,11-dihydro-11-(4-piperdinylidene)-5H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridine and has the following structure:
Overdosage
openFDA Drug Labeling10 OVERDOSAGE In the event of overdose, consider standard measures to remove any unabsorbed drug. Symptomatic and supportive treatment is recommended. Desloratadine and 3-hydroxydesloratadine are not eliminated by hemodialysis. Information regarding acute overdosage is limited to experience from post-marketing adverse event reports and from clinical trials conducted during the development of the desloratadine product. In a dose-ranging trial, at doses of 10 mg and 20 mg/day somnolence was reported. In another study, no clinically relevant adverse events were reported in normal male and female volunteers who were given single daily doses of desloratadine 45 mg for 10 days [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ].
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug Labeling16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Desloratadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets USP, 2.5 mg: Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets USP, tablets 2.5 mg are light red colored, speckled, round, flat, uncoated, beveled edged debossed with “R” on one side and “551” on the other side and are supplied in carton of 5 packs containing 6 tablets each. Carton of 5 packs (NDC 55111-551-31), each pack containing 6 tablets (55111-551-06) Desloratadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets USP, 5 mg: Desloratadine orally disintegrating tablets USP, tablets 5 mg are light red colored, speckled, round, flat, uncoated, beveled edged debossed with “RDY” on one side and “360” on the other side and are supplied in carton of 5 packs containing 6 tablets each. Carton of 5 packs (NDC 55111-360-31), each pack containing 6 tablets (55111-360-06) Storage: Store orally disintegrating tablets at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: DESLORATADINE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55111-360-06 | 55111-360 | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited | 6 TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING in 1 BLISTER PACK (55111-360-06) | January 11, 2013 |
| 55111-360-31 | 55111-360 | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited | 5 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (55111-360-31) / 6 TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING in 1 BLISTER PACK | January 11, 2013 |
| 55111-551-06 | 55111-551 | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited | 6 TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING in 1 BLISTER PACK (55111-551-06) | January 11, 2013 |
| 55111-551-31 | 55111-551 | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited | 5 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (55111-551-31) / 6 TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING in 1 BLISTER PACK | January 11, 2013 |
| 55111-360 | 55111-360 | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited | — | January 11, 2013 |
| 55111-551 | 55111-551 | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited | — | January 11, 2013 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.