Patients who are having difficulty affording Schering- Plough medications can call the Schering-Plough Cares Patient Assistance Program at 1-800-656-9485 to see if they qualify for assistance. Or visit www.pparx.org for additional information.
CLARINEX® works by blocking
the action of histamine released by the immune system, thus relieving some of
the important allergy symptoms. When you are exposed to an allergen, a specific
type of white blood cell called the mast cell, which is located in the membrane
lining the nose and sinuses, releases a chemical called histamine. Histamine
attaches to its site of action called receptors on nearby blood vessels,
causing them to dilate or enlarge, leading to redness, swelling, itching, and
changes in the secretions.
Antihistamines
block the histamine receptors, preventing these membrane changes and the
resulting symptoms. Antihistamines also block histamine from stimulating nerve
endings, which can cause itching and other symptoms.
Unlike some over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines, at
the recommended dose, CLARINEX® does not
cause drowsiness, which is important for patients with active lifestyles who
drive, operate equipment or machines. In clinical studies, the incidence of
drowsiness with CLARINEX® was similar to
that of a placebo or sugar pill at the recommended dose. In large-scale
clinical studies of patients with allergic rhinitis, the most common side
effects with CLARINEX® occurred
about as often as they did with a placebo, including sore throat, dry mouth and
fatigue.
CLARINEX®, a prescription medication, treats year-round allergy symptoms and ongoing hives of unknown cause, in adults and children 6 months and older, and seasonal allergy symptoms in patients 2 years and older. CLARINEX® 5 mg Tablets and 5 mg RediTabs® Tablets are approved for patients 12 years and older; CLARINEX® 2.5 mg RediTabs® Tablets are approved for patients 6 to 11 years; CLARINEX® Syrup is approved for patients 6 months and older.
Twice-daily CLARINEX-D® 12 HOUR Extended Release Tablets and once-daily CLARINEX-D® 24 HOUR Extended Release Tablets treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, including nasal congestion, in patients 12 years and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CLARINEX® Tablets side effects in patients 12 years and older were similar to placebo and included sore throat, dry mouth, and fatigue for seasonal and year-round allergy patients, and headache, nausea, and fatigue for patients with ongoing hives of unknown cause.
CLARINEX® Syrup side effects in children 6 to 11 years were similar to placebo. For children 6 months to 5 years, syrup side effects varied by age and included fever, diarrhea, upper respiratory infection, irritability, and coughing.
Due to their pseudoephedrine component, CLARINEX-D® 12 HOUR Extended Release Tablets and CLARINEX-D® 24 HOUR Extended Release Tablets should not be taken by patients with narrow-angle glaucoma (abnormally high eye pressure), difficulty urinating, severe high blood pressure, or severe heart disease, or by patients who have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor within the past fourteen (14) days. Patients with high blood pressure; diabetes; heart disease; increased intraocular pressure (eye pressure); thyroid, liver or kidney problems; or enlarged prostate should check with their healthcare provider before taking CLARINEX-D® 12 HOUR Extended Release Tablets or CLARINEX-D® 24 HOUR Extended Release Tablets.
Care should be used if CLARINEX-D® 12 HOUR Extended Release Tablets or CLARINEX-D® 24 HOUR Extended Release Tablets are taken with other antihistamines or decongestants because combined effects on the cardiovascular system may be harmful. The most commonly reported adverse events for CLARINEX-D® 12 HOUR Extended Release Tablets were insomnia, headache, dry mouth, fatigue, drowsiness, sore throat, and dizziness. The most commonly reported adverse events for CLARINEX-D® 24 HOUR Extended Release Tablets were dry mouth, headache, insomnia, fatigue, sore throat, and drowsiness.
Click here for important CLARINEX® Tablets/Syrup/RediTabs® Product Information. Click here for important CLARINEX-D® 12 HOUR Product Information. Click here for important CLARINEX-D® 24 HOUR Product Information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Note: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any questions about your treatment or medical condition, please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider. This site is intended for use by U.S. residents.
