Desloratadine
|
Desloratadine is a drug used to treat allergies. It is marketed under several trade names such as Claramax®, Clarinex® and Aerius®. It is an active metabolite of loratadine, which is also on the market.
Missing image Desloratadine.png Chemical structure of desloratadine. Descarboethoxyloratadine | |
8-chloro-6,11-dihydro-11-(4-piperdinylidene)- 5H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridine | |
Molecular Weight | 310.82 |
Empiric Formula | C19H19ClN2 |
ATC code | R06AX27 |
Metabolism | Liver |
Pregnancy category | C (USA) B1 (Aus) |
Contents |
Available forms
Desloratadine is available as tablets and oral suspension.
Mechanism of action
Desloratadine is a tricyclic antihistamine, which has a selective and peripheral H1-antagonist action. It has a long-lasting effect and does not cause drowsiness because it does not readily enter the central nervous system. It is 10-20 times more potent as an antihistamine than loratadine.
Pharmacokinetics
Desloratadine is rapidly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. Desloratadine is moderately bound to plasma proteins (85%). The half-life of desloratadine is on average 28 hours. About 40% is excreted as conjugated metabolites into the urine and similar amount into the feces. Traces of unmetabolised desloratadine can be found in the urine.
Side effects
Most common side-effects are fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, and gastrointestinal disturbances.