Desloratadine

Additional information

Pharmacokinetics and dosing

Women treated with oral desloratadine 7.5 mg daily for two weeks had 10% and 3% higher Cmax and AUC values than men (24 men, 24 women; ages 19-45 years). The authors considered the variations to be of no clinically relevance and therefore, no dosage adjustment based on sex is deemed necessary. The Cmax and AUC of the active metabolite 3-hydroxydesloratadine was 45% and 48% higher in women [1]. No sex differentiation in dosing is recommended by the manufacturer [2].

Effects

In a clinical study conducted by the manufacturer, 924 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and concomitant asthma received oral desloratadine 5 mg once daily for two weeks. Desloratadine improved rhinitis symptoms and the authors reported that no sex differences in effectiveness of desloratadine were observed [3].

Adverse effects

In an open-label multiple-dose study in healthy volunteers (24 men, 24 women) receiving oral desloratadine 7.5 mg daily for two weeks, women reported more adverse events than men (9 (38%) vs. 2 (8%)). Headache was the most common adverse event, and only reported by women [1].

No differences in adverse events between men and women were reported from the  placebo-controlled trials conducted by the manufacturer [3].

Reproductive health issues

Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult the Drugs and Birth Defects Database (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).