Abstract

Desloratadine: a review of pharmacology and clinical efficacy in allergic rhinitis and urticaria

Author(s): Evrim Alyamac Dizdar, Bulent Enis Sekerel and Ayfer Tuncer

Desloratadine is a second-generation nonsedating antihistamine currently used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. It is the major active metabolite of loratadine. The binding affi nity of desloratadine for H1 receptors is the highest among all antihistamines. Besides the effects of desloratadine on H1 receptors, it may also reduce the release of anti-infl ammatory cytokines and other mediators involved in the early- and late-phase allergic response. Desloratadine is well-tolerated, and most adverse events reported are mild/moderate and experienced by a small proportion of the patients. Many large, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have confi rmed that desloratadine is effective against symptoms of intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis. Patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria also experience marked relief of symptoms upon treatment with desloratadine, since urticarial symptoms in chronic idiopathic urticaria are largely mediated by histamine.