41

Yeah desloratadine is sold under the trade name clarinex in the US.

In many cases, third generation antihistamines are just other other forms of the second generation drug so the company that makes the drug can get a new patent.

I believe desloratadine is a metabolite of loratadine (Claritin) that works in the same matter but in theory is a little more effective.

My sister is a pharmacist and says that the difference between 2nd and 3rd generation antihistamines (Claritin and Clarinex or Zyrtec and Xyzal) is purely marketing.

As always, drugs work differently for each person. My whole family takes Zyrtec which works for them. My pharmacist sister calls me a princess because I only use branded Xyzal, which is several times more expensive than generic Zyrtec. But Zyrtec puts me to sleep and Xyzal does not, so its worth the extra to me.

The drug’s efficacy really depends on each person, so I’d suggest trying each one out and seeing how your body responds.