The clinical efficacy of desloratadine, a non-sedating antihistamine, in the management of allergic conditions: A review of the evidence

Desloratadine is a relatively new, second-generation, tricyclic antihistamine which came into medical use in 2001. This study aimed to review the available evidence in the literature around the clinical efficacy of desloratadine on a range of allergic conditions. A database search in Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar was conducted for the research articles published until July 2020, using the keyword desloratadine. An additional reference lists search and citation tracking were also performed. Research articles in English pertaining to desloratadine and its efficacy were considered for inclusion. Study designs, including randomized controlled trials (RCT), observational/case-control studies, and case series were considered. The collective evidence from the current literature shows superior efficacy of desloratadine compared to placebo and some of the other treatment options in the management of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), and asthmatic symptoms. There is also evidence for potential new roles introduced for desloratadine such as acne treatment, chronic otitis media, and chronic rhinosinusitis, which warrants further investigation. In most studies, desloratadine’s safety and tolerability were comparable with placebo. Current evidence suggest that desloratadine is an ideal option for most of the allergic conditions due to its efficacy as well as favourable safety and tolerability profile. Further large-scale studies are needed to establish the efficacy and safety profile of desloratadine and to compare its effectiveness against other treatments in the management of allergic conditions.