The prescription medication Clarinex treats allergy symptoms, as well as chronic hives and itching. This eMedTV Web page discusses how the drug works and medical conditions to discuss with your doctor before taking it, such as liver disease.
Clarinex is used to treat chronic hives and symptoms of outdoor and indoor allergies. This eMedTV page lists symptoms treated by Clarinex and explains how the drug works. It also lists off-label Clarinex uses, like treating unexplained chronic cough.
Common side effects of Clarinex include sore throat, nausea, and fatigue. As this eMedTV article explains, side effects of this medicine are easily treated in most cases. This Web page also takes a look at some of the drug's rare side effects.
If you take Clarinex and dry mouth is a problem, you can combat it with simple remedies. This eMedTV page explains how you can relieve dry mouth by sipping water and sugarless drinks; sucking on candy; and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and salty foods.
Less than 1 percent of people who take Clarinex have insomnia. As this eMedTV page explains, it is impossible to tell whether Clarinex and insomnia are linked or if other factors are to blame. This article also gives tips on how to beat insomnia.
This eMedTV resource explains how Clarinex dosing varies across several age groups and lists the starting doses for children as young as 6 to 11 months. The typical dosage for adults and children age 12 years and over is 5 mg once a day.
Clarinex drug interactions can occur with numerous other drugs, including ketoconazole and erythromycin. This eMedTV Web page explains that as Clarinex interacts with these medicines, the amount of drugs in your body may be increased.
Clarinex can interact with numerous other drugs, make some people drowsy, and potentially harm a fetus. This eMedTV article also covers other Clarinex precautions and warnings, such as who should not take it and precautions for those who are nursing.
In discussing Clarinex and pregnancy, this eMedTV page explains how the drug's status as a Category C medicine means that it could potentially harm a fetus. A pregnant woman may take the drug if the benefits outweigh the possible risk.
The earliest that a generic Clarinex could be made is 2014, when the first patent for the drug expires. As this eMedTV page explains, a generic form cannot be made until this happens. Current so-called generic forms of the drug are potentially dangerous.
