pseudoephedrine/desloratadine (Clarinex-D 12 Hr, Clarinex-D 24 Hr)
Classes: Antihistamine/Decongestant Combos
Dosing and uses of Clarinex-D 12 Hr, Clarinex-D 24 Hr (pseudoephedrine-desloratadine)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
pseudoephedrine/desloratadine
tablet
- 120mg/2.5mg
- 240mg/5mg
Allergic Rhinitis/Congestion
Clarinex-D 12 hr: 1 tablet (2.5 mg desloratadine/120 mg pseudoephedrine) PO q12hr
Clarinex-D 24 hr: 1 tablet (5 mg desloratadine/240 mg pseudoephedrine) PO q24hr
Renal Impairment
Not recommended
Hepatic Impairment
Not recommended
Administration
Tablet should be swallowed whole and not broken, dissolved, or chewed
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
pseudoephedrine/desloratadine
tablet
- 120mg/2.5mg
- 240mg/5mg
Allergic Rhinitis/Congestion
<12 years
- Safety and efficacy not established
≥12 years
- Clarinex-D 12 hr: 1 tablet (2.5 mg desloratadine/120 mg pseudoephedrine) PO q12hr
- Clarinex-D 24 hr: 1 tablet (5 mg desloratadine/240 mg pseudoephedrine) PO qDay
Renal Impairment
Not recommended
Hepatic Impairment
Not recommended
Administration
Tablet should be swallowed whole and not broken, dissolved or chewed
Clarinex-D 12 Hr, Clarinex-D 24 Hr (pseudoephedrine-desloratadine) adverse (side) effects
>10%
Desloratadine
- Fever (12%)
- Irritability (12%)
- Headache (12%)
- Diarrhea (15-21%)
- Cough (11%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (11-21%)
1-10%
Desloratadine
- Pharyngitis (4.1%)
- Dry mouth (3%)
- Myalgia (2.1%)
- Emotional lability (3%)
- Erythema (3%)
- Macopapular rash (3%)
- Dizziness (4%)
- Fatigue (2.1%)
- Somnolence (2.1%)
- Urinary tract infection (4%)
- Dyspepsia (3%)
- Insomnia (5%)
- Dysmenorrhea (2.1%)
Frequency not defined
Pseudoephedrine
- CNS (tremor, restlessness, etc)
- Insomnia
- Arrhythmia
- Hypotension
- Tachycardia
- Fatigue
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Anorexia
- Xerostomia
- Dysuria
- Polyuria
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Ischemic colitis
Postmarketing Reports
Hypersensitivity reactions (eg, rash, edema, dyspnea, anaphylaxis)
CNS: Headache, somnolence, dizziness
Cardiovascular: Tachycardia
eurologic: Movement disorders (including dystonia, tics, and extrapyramidal symptoms), seizures
Hepatic: Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin, hepatitis (rare)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity; adverse reaction to sympathomimetics
Severe HTN, severe coronary artery disease
Concurrent MAO inhibitors, or within 2 wk of discontinuance of MAO inhibitors
Hepatic impairment
Urinary retention
Narrow-angle glaucoma
Clarinex-D 12 hr: also renal impairment
Cautions
Caution in renal impairment, HTN, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, increase IOP, hyperthyroidism, BPH
Concomitant antihistamines or decongestants (generally avoid)
Seizures and tachycardia reported
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: both drugs pass into breast milk, pseudoephedrine is concentrated in breast milk; use caution
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Clarinex-D 12 Hr, Clarinex-D 24 Hr (pseudoephedrine-desloratadine)
Mechanism of action
Pseudoephedrine: Sympathomimetic; exerts decongestant action on nasal mucosa; stimulates the alpha-adrenergic receptors causing bronchodilation and vasoconstriction
Desloratadine: Selective histamine-1 receptor antagonist; inhibits histamine release from mast cells
Protein Binding
Desloratadine: 82-87%
Excretion
Pseudoephedrine: Urine
Desloratadine: Urine
Peak Plasma Time
Pseudoephedrine: 6-9 hr
Desloratadine: 4-7 hr
Peak Plasma Concentration
Pseudoephedrine: 363 ng/mL
Desloratadine: 1.09 ng/mL
AUC
Pseudoephedrine: 4,588 ng·hr/mL
Desloratadine: 31.6 ng·hr/mL
Metabolism
Pseudoephedrine: <1% metabolized in liver
Desloratadine: major metabolite of loratadine; extensively metabolized by glucuronidation to active metabolite 3-hydroxydesloratadine
Half-Life
Pseudoephedrine: 3-6 hr (urine pH 5); 9-16 hr (urine pH 8)
Desloratadine: 27 hr