Desloratadine: a nonsedating antihistamine.
OBJECTIVE
To review information on desloratadine, a nonsedating antihistamine.


METHODS
An English-language MEDLINE search was conducted (1966-July 2002). References of identified articles were subsequently reviewed for additional data. Schering Corporation provided unpublished information.


METHODS
Articles and abstracts pertaining to desloratadine were considered for inclusion, with emphasis on randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials.


RESULTS
Desloratadine is approved for the treatment of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), and chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) in patients aged > or =12 years. In placebo-controlled trials, desloratadine demonstrated superior efficacy as a once-daily treatment of SAR, PAR, and CIU. Data suggest that desloratadine has antiinflammatory and decongestant activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Desloratadine appears to be a "me-too" agent, with no major differences compared with other second-generation antihistamines.
Limon
Lynn
L
Department of Pharmacy Services, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Medical College of Virginia Hospitals and Physicians, Richmond, VA 23298-0042, USA. llimon@hsc.vcu.edu
Kockler
Denise R
DR
D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy*
D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D017336:Loratadine; C121345:desloratadine