Generic Name: Desloratadine
Brand Names: Clarinex

Clarinex (Desloratadine) is an oral, long-acting antihistamine that is similar chemically to Loratadine (Claritin). It is used to treat the symptoms caused by histamine. Clarinex provides relief of seasonal allergy symptoms and allergic nasal conditions (rhinitis) such as runny nose, sneezing, and watery/itching eyes. It may also be used to treat hives. Histamine is released from histamine-storing cells (mast cells) and then attaches to other cells that have receptors for histamine. The attachment of the histamine to the receptors causes the cell to be "activated," releasing other chemicals which produce the effects that we associate with allergy. Clarinex blocks one type of receptor for histamine (the H1 receptor) and thus prevents activation of H1 receptor-containing cells by histamine. Clarinex does not readily enter the brain from the blood and, therefore, causes less drowsiness