Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Aerius (Bayer, 0.5 mg)
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
AERIUS tablets provide:
fast 24 hour relief from seasonal allergies (trees,
grass, pollen and ragweed) and year round allergies (dust mites, animal dander and moulds) resulting in symptoms including nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, stuffiness, itchy palate, itchy ears, itchy throat and allergic cough, as well as itchy watery red eyes.
fast relief of allergic skin conditions, such as skin
itch and hives.
AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS syrup provides:
fast 24 hour relief from seasonal allergies (trees,
grass, pollen and ragweed) and year round allergies (dust mites, animal dander and moulds) resulting in symptoms including nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, stuffiness, itchy palate, itchy ears, itchy throat and allergic cough, as well as itchy watery red eyes.
fast relief of allergic skin conditions, such as skin
itch and hives.
What it does:
AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS is a long-acting antihistamine – it blocks the action of histamine and relieves allergy symptoms. Histamine is a chemical released by the immune system – the body’s defence against invading substances – when the body is affected by substances that you are allergic to (allergens).
Most people will feel relief of allergy symptoms within 75 minutes of taking AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS.
Symptom relief will be maintained for 24 hours.
AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS does not cause drowsiness.
AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS can be used by people with mild to moderate asthma.
When it should not be used:
AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS should not be used:
- if you are allergic to desloratadine or to any of the other product ingredients (See What the nonmedicinal ingredients are).
if you are pregnant or nursing.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Desloratadine
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Tablets: Carnauba wax, corn starch, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, FD&C Blue #2 Lake, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, white beeswax.
Syrup: Bubblegum flavour, citric acid anhydrous, disodium edetate, dye FD&C Yellow No.6, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate dihydrate, sorbitol solution, sucrose.
What dosage forms it comes in:
Tablet 5 mg or Syrup 0.5 mg/mL
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Serious Warnings and Precautions
Tell your doctor if you have severe liver or kidney disease.
BEFORE you use AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have:
- severe liver disease
- severe kidney disease
- any allergies to this drug or its ingredients or components of the container.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
None of the drugs tested have been found to interact with AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS.
If you are taking any medication, it is important to ask your physician or pharmacist before taking AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
AERIUS tablets: Adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older): Swallow one tablet with water, once daily, regardless of mealtime.
AERIUS syrup:
Adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older): Swallow 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL), once daily, regardless of mealtime.
AERIUS KIDS syrup:
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 1/2 teaspoonful (2.5 mL), once daily, regardless of mealtime.
Do not give AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS syrup to children between 2 and 12 years of age for longer than 14 days unless recommended by your doctor.
Overdose:
In case of overdose, contact your Poison Control Centre, physician or pharmacist immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed Dose:
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 24 hours.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Along with its desired effects, AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS may cause undesirable effects.
Side effects that may occur include, dry mouth, fatigue and headache.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||||
| Symptom / effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and call your doctor or pharmacist | ||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||
| Rare | Allergic reaction (rash, difficulty in breathing) | √ | ||
| Very Rare | Fast heart rate or heart palpitations | √ | ||
| Restlessness with increased body movement | √ | |||
| Seizures | √ | |||
Liver dysfunction - i.e. inflammation of the liver (appearance of jaundice - yellowing of the skin) | √ | |||
| Children -Uncommon | Urinary tract infection | √ | ||
Fever, headache, viral infection, varicella (chicken pox), and rash | √ | |||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking AERIUS or AERIUS KIDS, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Store between 15° and 30°C.
Protect tablets from excessive moisture.
Keep out of reach of children.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways:
Report online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and: Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
Mail to:
Canada Vigilance Program
Health Canada
Postal Locator 0701E
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect™ Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
MORE INFORMATION
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found at: http://www.Bayer.ca.
Last revised: December 4, 2014
Bayer Inc., Consumer Care, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5R6
www.aerius.ca