Clarinex

Clarinex is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. It is also used to treat chronic (long lasting) hives and itching.

Clarinex belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines. These medications work by blocking histamine release from human mast cells to help relieve sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes. 

Clarinex is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of:

• seasonal allergic rhinitis (sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose and itching of the nose) in people 2 years of age and older.
• perennial allergic rhinitis (sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose and itching of the nose) in people 6 months of age and older.
• chronic idiopathic urticaria (long-term itching) and to reduce the number and size of hives in people 6 months of age and older.
• Clarinex is not for children younger than 6 months of age.

• Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

Clarinex may cause serious side effects. See "Drug Precautions" section.

The most common side effects of Clarinex in adults and children 12 years of age and older with allergic rhinitis include:

• sore throat
• dry mouth
• muscle pain
• tiredness
• sleepiness
• menstrual pain
• Increased sleepiness or tiredness can happen if you take more Clarinex than your doctor prescribed to you.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Clarinex may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Clarinex works.

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• erythromycin (Ery-tab, Eryc, PCE)
• azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax)
• antihistamines
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Clarinex may cause serious side effects, including:

Allergic reactions. Stop taking Clarinex and call your doctor right away or get emergency help if you have any of these symptoms:

• rash
• itching
• hives
• swelling of your lips, tongue, face, and throat
• shortness of breath or trouble breathing

Do not take Clarinex if you:

• are allergic to Clarinex or any of the ingredients in Clarinex.
• are allergic to loratadine (Alavert, Claritin).

Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have any questions about whether or not to take this medicine.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Clarinex there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Clarinex.

Before you take Clarinex, tell your doctor if you:

• have liver or kidney problems.
• have any other medical conditions.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Clarinex will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Clarinex can pass into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Clarinex.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Clarinex may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Clarinex works.

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• erythromycin (Ery-tab, Eryc, PCE)
• azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax)
• antihistamines
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you are planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Clarinex will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Clarinex is excreted in human breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks to your nursing baby.

• Take Clarinex exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.
• Do not change your dose of Clarinex or take more often than prescribed.
• Clarinex can be taken with or without food.
• Place Clarinex RediTabs on your tongue and allow it to dissolve before swallowing. Clarinex RediTabs can be taken with or without water. Take your Clarinex RediTabs right away after opening the blister.
• Take Clarinex oral solution with a measuring dropper or oral syringe that can measure 2 mL or 2.5 mL. Ask your pharmacist for a dropper or syringe if you do not have one.
• If you take too much Clarinex, call your doctor or get medical attention right away.

Take Clarinex exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Follow the directions on your prescription bottle carefully.

In adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older, the recommended dose of Clarinex is 5 mg once daily. Your doctor will probably lower the dose if you have liver or kidney problems. The recommended dose of Clarinex  in children 6 to 11 years of age is 2.5 mg once daily. The recommended dose of Clarinex in children 12 months to 5 years of age is 1.25 mg once daily. For children 6 to 11 months of age, the recommended dose is 1 mg daily.

If you have taken too much Clarinex seek emergency medical attention or call your local Poison Control Center right away.

• Store Clarinex tablets and solution between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
• Protect Clarinex oral solution from light.
• Store orally disintegrating tablets between 68°F-77°F (20°C-25°C).