Desloratadine: a nonsedating antihistamine.

OBJECTIVE

To review information on desloratadine, a nonsedating antihistamine.

DATA SOURCES: An English-language MEDLINE search was conducted (1966-July 2002). References of identified articles were subsequently reviewed for additional data. Schering Corporation provided unpublished information.

STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION: Articles and abstracts pertaining to desloratadine were considered for inclusion, with emphasis on randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Desloratadine is approved for the treatment of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), and chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) in patients aged > or =12 years. In placebo-controlled trials, desloratadine demonstrated superior efficacy as a once-daily treatment of SAR, PAR, and CIU. Data suggest that desloratadine has antiinflammatory and decongestant activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Desloratadine appears to be a "me-too" agent, with no major differences compared with other second-generation antihistamines.