Do you know why medicine is best not bought from the marketplace? There are many cases of fraudulent medicine or expired medicine being sold in such places. Furthermore, medicine that should only be used with prescriptions by doctors, may also be found in such places. This means that obtaining medicine from the marketplace can be dangerous. In this article, we will learn about desloratadine, a medication you may actually tempt to buy by yourself.
Desloratadine is an antihistamine. Antihistamine works to reduce many symptoms of allergy. In general, an allergy is a reaction of the human body towards foreign substances which usually does not cause excessive body response in other normal people. Foreign substances or allergens such as pollen, bee venom and protein such as egg and seafood can trigger allergic reactions in people with allergies due to the presence of histamine. Histamine is a chemical in the body that’s produced by an internal reaction and can be found in your blood. Histamine is responsible for the allergic symptoms. Common symptoms of allergies include runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, hives and skin rash. There may be stomach cramps or vomiting under certain conditions. As a general rule, antihistamines work by blocking histamines from causing allergic reactions.
Specifically, desloratadine is a selective H1 receptor antagonist. This means that it is an antihistamines that are known as classic antihistamines. It blocks the H1 receptor of histamines. By blocking this receptor, it leads to the lungs and respiratory tract to expand and to reduce the inflammation process which causes the allergic symptoms. Desloratadine is usually used to treat symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, and chronic idiopathic urticaria. Perennial rhinitis occurs all year long and typically caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites, mould and pet dander. Seasonal rhinitis occurs within a certain season of the year and is caused by environmental allergens such as pollens from grasses. Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria is hives that last for more than 6 weeks and may be prolonged up to 5 years, with no known cause.
While it is common for desloratadine or antihistamine used in adults, parents might wonder if this medication can be used for children. Yes, desloratadine can be used in children as young as the age of 1. Desloratadine is available in oral solution or syrup to help children take it easily. The dose is often small, which is 1.25 mg once a day. Desloratadine in adults is available in tablet form. Dose for adults and adolescents (age 12 and above) are usually 5 mg once a day.
Do you know that desloratadine is one of the best antihistamines as it does not cause drowsiness or sleepiness? This is because desloratadine is known as second-generation antihistamine. Most cases of sleepiness or drowsiness are caused by first-generation antihistamine. First-generation antihistamine is said to be causing these sedation effects due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This means that first-generation antihistamines are able to affect the way the brain works on the person’s alertness.
Despite this fact, desloratadine, similar to other medications, does come with possible side effects. Common side effects include headache, dry mouth, coughing, nausea, diarrhoea, fatigue, fever, insomnia, upset stomach and upper respiratory tract infection such as pharyngitis (sore throat). Side effects are uncommon as most people tolerate well with desloratadine with only 2 to 3 percent people experiencing side effects of fatigue, headache and dry mouth. Despite this, there is always the possibility that side effects occur and the one that should be paid great attention for is the serious side effect. Serious side effects such as anaphylaxis reaction, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat and or seizure that occur after taking desloratadine should get emergency care immediately as this can be life-threatening. Do talk with your doctor if you feel any unwanted effect after taking desloratadine.
If a patient has a history of allergies towards any medication, they need to tell their doctor to ensure desloratadine is safe for them. Patients who have other underlying health conditions such as kidney or liver disease, need to notify their doctor before using desloratadine. If patients use other medication or supplements, they need to discuss with their doctor before taking desloratadine to avoid potential adverse drug reaction or risk for side effects. This is especially true for medication such as azithromycin, cimetidine, erythromycin, fluoxetine and ketoconazole. Patients are advised to take desloratadine as instructed by the doctor. Never take more or less than intended.
It can be concluded that desloratadine is one of the many antihistamines used in treating allergic symptoms. Desloratadine is a selective H1 receptor antagonist and a second-generation antihistamine. Desloratadine is safe for children. Dosage for desloratadine depends on the patient’s age and condition. Desloratadine is well tolerated in most patients as only a small percentage of people do experience side effects which are minor. Any unwanted side effects should be addressed to doctors and if it is a serious one, immediate medical care is indicated.
