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| |  Once-Daily, Non-Sedating Antihistamine Clarinex (Desloratadine) Available in the US KENILWORTH, NJ -- January 14, 2002 -- Schering-Plough Corporation announced today that its new non-sedating antihistamine, Clarinex® (desloratadine) 5 mg Tablets, is now available by prescription in pharmacies nationwide for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Dec. 21, 2001, Clarinex is a once-daily, nonsedating antihistamine that provides 24-hour relief from the symptoms of SAR in adults and children 12 years of age and older. In clinical trials, Clarinex Tablets significantly reduced total symptom scores of the nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergies. "With its proven clinical benefits, Clarinex offers patients an important new therapy for the treatment of seasonal allergy symptoms,'' said Richard W. Zahn, president of Schering Laboratories, the U.S. prescription pharmaceutical marketing arm of Schering-Plough. "The launch of Clarinex is now under way and we look forward to working with physicians, pharmacists and other healthcare decision-makers to provide the millions of seasonal allergy sufferers in the United States with an opportunity to enjoy 24 hours of non-drowsy seasonal relief.'' Allergies affect an estimated 45 million Americans and can have a significant impact on everyday activities at work, school and leisure time. The direct cost of seasonal allergies, including medications and physician visits, has been estimated at $4.5 billion annually. Indirect costs from absenteeism include the loss of an estimated 6 million workdays and 2 million school days each year. In addition, there is a growing body of evidence that points to an association between allergies and even more serious conditions such as asthma. An H-1 receptor antagonist, Clarinex has been studied in four double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies involving more than 2,300 seasonal allergic rhinitis patients in the United States between the ages of 12 and 75. A single 5 mg dose of Clarinex taken once daily provides 24-hour relief from nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergies. Clarinex Tablets may be taken without regard to food. No clinically relevant drug-to-drug interactions have been observed when Clarinex is administered with the antibiotic erythromycin or the antifungal ketoconazole, both of which have been linked to potentially dangerous interactions with some older antihistamines. In clinical trials, Clarinex provided significantly greater symptom relief than placebo with a low incidence of side effects. The most common side effects were pharyngitis, dry mouth, somnolence and fatigue, with an incidence rate similar to placebo. SOURCE: Schering-Plough Corporation
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