Clarinex-D is a prescription medication that relieves symptoms of seasonal allergies. It combines an antihistamine and decongestant, so it blocks the effects of histamine and alleviates the nasal congestion that antihistamines are ineffective against. As a result, Clarinex-D is effective against a range of allergy symptoms, including sneezing; itchy, burning eyes; and itchy nose, ears, and throat.
(Click Clarinex-D Uses for more information on conditions the drug is used to treat.)
How Does Clarinex-D Work?
When you come into contact with something you're allergic to, a chain reaction begins inside your body. During this chain reaction, special cells release powerful chemicals. Some of these chemicals can trigger swelling of the nasal passages, leading to nasal congestion (a "stuffy" nose). Other chemicals, such as histamine, can cause sneezing, itching, and irritation.
Clarinex-D is a combination medication of
desloratadine and pseudoephedrine sulfate. Desloratadine (Clarinex
®) is part of a class of drugs called antihistamines. As the name implies, Clarinex-D blocks the effects of histamine. This leads to relief of
allergy symptoms -- except for nasal congestion. Pseudoephedrine sulfate (Sudafed
®) is a decongestant. It works by decreasing the swelling in the nasal passages, which improves nasal congestion.
Prior to Clarinex-D's approval in the United States, a number of clinical studies were conducted in several thousand adults and adolescents. In these studies, people taking Clarinex-D had improved
allergy relief compared to the group of people not taking the medicine. This improvement was measured based on a symptom score that looked at changes in the following allergy symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose, ears, and throat
- Itchy, burning eyes
- Tearing/watering eyes
- Redness of eyes
- Nasal congestion.
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