AERIUS® FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Got questions about AERIUS® products? We have answers! Take a look below for commonly asked questions about AERIUS®.
Is AERIUS® an antihistamine?
AERIUS® is a long-acting antihistamine that blocks the action of histamine.
Is AERIUS® a prescription drug?
AERIUS® is not a prescription drug and is available over-the-counter.
How does AERIUS® work?
AERIUS® is proven to work in multiple ways. Its anti-allergic action and anti-inflammatory properties provide a multi defense against allergy symptoms.
Does AERIUS® have any side effects?
As with any medication, AERIUS® may cause certain undesirable effects. The side effects possible depend on the AERIUS® product you’re taking.
Possible side effects of AERIUS® and AERIUS® Kids are: dry mouth, fatigue, increased appetite, and headache. At the recommended dose, this medicine is not expected to make you drowsy. Drowsiness has been reported very rarely. Although most people do not experience drowsiness, it is recommended not to engage in activities requiring mental alertness until you have established your own response to the medicinal product.
Possible side effects of AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour are: trouble sleeping, headache, increased appetite, and dry mouth.
Serious side effects
All AERIUS® products have the potential to cause serious side effects as well, although these are very rare. Possible serious side effects include: allergic reaction (i.e., rash, itching, swelling of lips, tongue, face, throat and trouble breathing), fast heart rate or heart palpitations, restlessness with increased body movement, seizures, and liver dysfunction (i.e., inflammation of the liver which may cause yellowing of the skin). If you happen to experience any of these serious side effects or experience any unexpected side effects, stop taking AERIUS® and call your doctor or pharmacist right away.
AERIUS® Kids can also cause urinary tract infection and symptoms of a chicken pox infection (e.g., fever, headache, rash). These side effects are uncommon, but if your child does experience them, they should stop taking AERIUS® Kids and you should contact your child’s doctor or pharmacist right away.
What's the dosage of AERIUS® ?
AERIUS®
Adults and children (12 years of age and older): Swallow one tablet with water, once daily, regardless of mealtime.
AERIUS® Kids
Children 6 to 11 years of age: Swallow 1 teaspoonful (5 mL), once daily, regardless of mealtime.
Children 2 to 5 years of age: Swallow ½ teaspoonful (2.5 mL), once daily, regardless of mealtime.
Do not give AERIUS® Kids syrup to children between 2 and 12 years of age for longer than 14 days unless recommended by your doctor.
Adults and children (12 years of age and older): Swallow one tablet with water, twice a day, every 12 hours. AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole—do not crush, break or chew it. If you cannot swallow tablets, contact your doctor or pharmacist as you may need a different medicine. Limit treatment to 14 days.
What are the ingredients in AERIUS®?
AERIUS® has both medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients. The ingredients in AERIUS® depend on the product.
Medicinal ingredient: Desloratadine [dess-lor-AH-ta-deen]
Non-medicinal ingredients: Carnauba wax, corn starch, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, FD&C Blue No. 2 Lake, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide.
Medicinal ingredient: Desloratadine
Non-medicinal ingredients: Bubble gum flavour, citric acid anhydrous, disodium edetate, dye FD&C Yellow No. 6, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate dihydrate, sorbitol solution, sucrose.
Medicinal ingredients:
- Desloratadine
- Pseudoephedrine [soo-dough-EFF-uh-dreen] sulfate
Non-medicinal ingredients: Citric acid anhydrous, corn starch, edetate disodium, dye (FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake), hypromellose, povidone, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, stearic acid.
Does AERIUS® make you drowsy?
At the recommended dose, this medicine is not expected to make you drowsy. Drowsiness has been reported very rarely. Although most people do not experience drowsiness, it is recommended not to engage in activities requiring mental alertness until you have established your own response to the medicinal product.
AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour does not cause drowsiness.
Can you take AERIUS® and a pain medication together?
AERIUS® products may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how AERIUS® products works. If you are taking any medication, it is important to ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking AERIUS® products.
Can you take AERIUS® and blood pressure medication together?
The pseudoephedrine in AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour may reduce the effects of drugs called beta-blockers, which are used to treat blood pressure. This may lead to a noticeable increase in blood pressure. Be careful when using AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour along with beta-blockers.
If you are taking any medication, it’s important to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour.
Can AERIUS® cause high blood pressure?
The pseudoephedrine in AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour may reduce the effects of drugs called beta-blockers, which are used to treat blood pressure. This may lead to a noticeable increase in blood pressure. Be careful when using AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour along with beta-blockers.
If you are taking any medication, it’s important to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour.
Can I take AERIUS® while breastfeeding?
No. AERIUS® products should not be used if you’re nursing because the medicinal ingredients can be passed into breast milk.
Can I take AERIUS® during pregnancy?
Do not use AERIUS® if you are pregnant.
When is the best time to take AERIUS®?
AERIUS® lasts 24-hours so it can be taken at any time of day. If you forget to take it at the same time, don’t worry, just take the dose when you remember. Do not exceed more than one dose in 24 hours.
AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour should be taken every twelve hours for continuous symptom relief, but the time of day is not known to be important. If you miss taking your dose on time, do not worry; take your dose when you remember. Do not exceed more than one dose in 12 hours.
How long does it take for AERIUS® to work?
Most people will start to feel relief within 75 minutes with AERIUS® or AERIUS® Kids.
Can I take more than one AERIUS® a day?
AERIUS® and AERIUS® Kids should only be taken once every 24 hours, while AERIUS® Double Action should only be taken every 12 hours.
Can you overdose on AERIUS®?
See above for AERIUS® dosing. In case of overdose, contact your local poison control centre, doctor or pharmacist immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
What is AERIUS® used for?
AERIUS® and AERIUS® Kids are used for fast, effective relief from seasonal and year-round allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, sneezing, running nose, itchy nose, stuffiness, itchy palate, itchy ears, itchy throat, allergic cough, as well as swollen, itchy, burning, watery and red eyes. It also provides fast and effective relief of allergic skin conditions, such as skin itch and hives.
AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour is used for fast, long-acting and effective relief from multiple nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergies (trees, grass, pollen and ragweed) including: itchy, burning, watery, swollen and red eyes, itchy nose, ears, palate and throat, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion/stuffiness, sinus congestion/pressure, and allergic cough.
Take AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour if you desire the nasal and sinus decongestant relief of pseudoephedrine in addition to the antihistaminic, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory relief provided by desloratadine.
What symptoms does AERIUS® relieve?
AERIUS® and AERIUS® Kids is used for fast, effective relief from seasonal and year-round allergy Symptoms, including nasal congestion, sneezing, running nose, itchy nose, stuffiness, itchy palate, itchy ears, itchy throat, allergic cough, as well as swollen, itchy, burning, watery and red eyes. It also provides fast and effective relief of allergic skin conditions, such as skin itch and hives.
AERIUS® Double Action 12 Hour is used for fast, long-acting and effective relief from multiple nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergies (trees, grass, pollen and ragweed) including: itchy, burning, watery, swollen and red eyes, itchy nose, ears, palate and throat, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion/stuffiness, sinus congestion/pressure, and allergic cough.
Can I give AERIUS® to my dog?
AERIUS® is not indicated for veterinary use.
Can I use AERIUS® for children?
AERIUS® Kids can be used in children from 2 to 11 years old. Consult a doctor for use beyond 14 days.
Can my child’s swollen eyes be allergies?
Yes, swollen eyes may be due to allergies. Allergens like pollen, mold spores and dust mites can get into the eyes and cause a reaction. Common symptoms of eye allergy symptoms are redness, itching, swelling, and a burning sensation in the eyes. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if your child’s eye swell up severely.