Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Aerius Sinus + Allergy
What is AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY used for?
AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY provides 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® SINUS + ALLERGY 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.
How does AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY work?
AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY is a product proven to work in multiple ways. Its’ anti-allergic action and anti-inflammatory properties provide a multi defense against allergy symptoms.
AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY has a long-acting antihistamine that blocks the action of histamine. Its anti-inflammatory property also helps by reducing swelling and related symptoms such as nasal congestion, redness and hives.
AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY also contains a nasal decongestant – it relieves nasal and sinus congestion by constricting the blood vessels in the lining of the nose and sinuses.
Symptom relief begins on the first day of treatment with AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY and lasts for 12 hours after each dose.
Serious Warnings and Precautions
- Do not use if you have severe liver or kidney disease.
What are the ingredients in AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY?
Medicinal ingredients: Desloratadine 2.5 mg and Pseudoephedrine sulfate 120 mg
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
AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY comes in the following dosage forms:
Bi-layer tablets – containing desloratadine (2.5 mg) for immediate release in one layer and pseudoephedrine sulfate (120 mg) for extended release in the other layer.
Do not use AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY if:
- you are allergic to desloratadine, loratadine or to any of the other product ingredients
- you have experienced side effects with oral decongestants in the past.
- you are taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or stopped taking one less than two weeks ago (drugs for depression or Parkinson’s disease).
- you have heart disease.
- you have thyroid disease.
- you have a form of glaucoma which causes rapid increase in eye pressure.
- you have urinary retention.
- you have severe high blood pressure.
- you have a history of stroke.
you are pregnant or nursing.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have a stomach condition (ulcer or obstruction)
- have liver or kidney disease
- have problems with your prostate or urinating
- have diabetes
- plan to become pregnant
- have medical or family history of seizures
- are aged 65 years or older
- have any of the conditions listed in the section “Do not use AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY if”.
Other warnings you should know about:
Do not use with other over the counter antihistamines and decongestants.
Discontinue use 24 hours prior to surgery.
Do not use 48 hours prior to a skin test.
Of interest to athletes: Treatment with pseudoephedrine could lead to positive doping tests.
Stop use and ask a doctor if:
- symptoms do not improve within 7 days or are accompanied by skin blister, redness, rash or fever.
- nervousness, dizziness or sleeplessness occurs.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY:
- AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY works. If you are taking any medication, it is important to ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY. Pseudoephedrine may reduce the effects of beta-blockers (blood pressure medications) to cause a noticeable increase in blood pressure. Be careful when using AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY with beta-blockers.
How to take AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY:
Usual dose:
Adults and children 12 years of age and over: one tablet twice a day, every 12 hours.
May be taken with or without food.
- Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet. Swallow whole with water.
- If you cannot swallow tablet, contact your doctor or pharmacist as you may need a different medicine.
- Limit treatment to 14 days.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre 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 12 hours.
What are possible side effects from using AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Along with its desired effects, AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY may cause undesirable effects. Side effects that may occur include unable to sleep, headache, increased appetite, and dry mouth.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| VERY RARE | |||
| Allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty in breathing) | ✓ | ||
| 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) | ✓ | ||
This is not a complete list of side effects. If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store between 15oC and 30oC. Protect from excessive moisture. Protect from light.
Keep blister package in outer carton. Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about AERIUS® SINUS + ALLERGY:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website (http://www.Bayer.ca).
Last Revised February 20, 2024
www.aerius.ca
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