Aerius® is used primarily as a long-acting treatment for the symptoms of seasonal and chronic allergies as well as to treat pruritis and chronic idiopathic urticaria, and to reduce the incidence and severity of hives. Compared with first generation antihistamines, Aerius® and other second generation antihistamines do not produce drowsiness as frequently or as intensely, as they do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier at low doses. Since the medication can produce considerable drowsiness at high doses, it is important to consider factors like the patient's age and level of liver or kidney function, which can affect a his or her appropriate Aerius® dosage level.
When a patient suffering from allergic rhinitis first receives the drug, the recommended initial Aerius® dosage in adults is 5 mg given orally once per day. If a single 5 mg dose does not provide sufficient relief of symptoms within 70 minutes of ingestion, a single maintenance dose of 5 mg may be given. Since the medication remains active for a 24-hour period, a total Aerius® dosage greater than 10 mg per day even in divided doses will likely cause drowsiness and interfere with operating motor vehicles or heavy machinery. As of 2011, the safety and efficacy of the drug have not been conclusively studied in children under 12 years of age, so the manufacturer offers no official dosage recommendations for these patients. Existing research suggests that children between the ages of six and 12 months receive an Aerius® dosage of 1 mg orally once per day, those between one and six years of age receive 0.25 mg more, and those between six years and 11 years of age receive 2.5 mg.
Research into the use of the drug to treat chronic idiopathic urticaria in pediatric patients suggests using the same Aerius® dosage guidelines as those for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in children. Adults treated with Aerius® for the same condition should receive 5 mg once daily as well, plus a 5 mg maintenance dose if needed. When the patient has reduced levels of liver or kidney function, then maintenance doses should be administered only every other day. While no studies about the effects of peritoneal dialysis on blood levels of Aerius® have been conducted as of 2011, it is known that the medication is not removed by hemodialysis and that dosage adjustments are not required.
Aerius® is a trade name for the drug desloratadine. The generic medication is also sold under the brand names NeoClarityn®, Claramax®, Clarinex®, Larinex®, Dazit® and Delot®. A member of a class of medications known as second generation antihistamines, Aerius® is somewhat chemically similar to tricyclic antidepressants and is very closely related to the allergy medication loratadine.