Desmont

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Desmont

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Desmont

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredient Desloratadine and Montelukast
Form Oral Tablet (Fixed-Dose Combination)
Pharmacological Class Antihistamine and Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist
Common Use Managing persistent allergic inflammation
Origin Synthetic Chemical Compound

What is Desmont? (Definition, Type, and Form)

Desmont is a synthetic, fixed-dose combination medication administered as an oral tablet for systemic use, typically categorized as a prescription product. It is structurally defined by its dual pharmacological classification, containing two distinct active ingredients. One of its components, Desloratadine, is a second-generation H1-antihistamine for systemic use, which targets the peripheral histamine receptors. This positioning as a fixed combination offers a unique differentiator, as the pairing of these two substance classes is intended to achieve a more complete blockade of the allergic cascade.

Composition: The Dual-Action Active Ingredients

Desmont is composed of the International Nonproprietary Names (INN) Desloratadine and Montelukast. Desloratadine acts as a selective peripheral H1-receptor antagonist, primarily responsible for inhibiting the effects of the inflammatory mediator histamine. The second ingredient, Montelukast, is a Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA) which blocks the action of substances known as leukotrienes, potent drivers of inflammation and swelling. Combining Montelukast with a nonsedating antihistamine like Desloratadine provides a synergistic mechanism of action by suppressing the allergic response at two different points. This combination is designed to suppress the allergic response more thoroughly than a single agent used alone.

General Purpose of the Combination

The general purpose of Desmont is to offer a comprehensive, broad-spectrum approach to managing the discomfort associated with persistent allergic processes. For instance, in a typical neutral use scenario, Desmont is employed when symptoms of allergy-related inflammation are sustained and do not fully respond to single-agent antihistamine therapy alone. By combining an agent that rapidly counters histamine (Desloratadine) with an agent that addresses sustained inflammation (Montelukast), the medication is designed to provide more complete relief than either agent used alone. This strategy targets both the immediate irritative symptoms and the deeper, underlying inflammatory responses that can occur within the respiratory system.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH/MedlinePlus

What side effects are possible with Desmont?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Desmont (montelukast) is generally well-tolerated, but like all medications, it can cause side effects. Awareness of these is important for patient safety.


Common Side Effects

Commonly reported side effects, typically mild and not requiring discontinuation of therapy, may include:

  • Gastrointestinal issues: Stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, or indigestion.
  • Headache
  • Upper respiratory symptoms: Upper respiratory infection, sore throat, cough, fever, or nasal congestion.

Serious Safety Concerns and Warnings

Neuropsychiatric Events (Boxed Warning)

Desmont has been associated with serious behavior and mood-related changes. These can occur in patients with or without a prior history of psychiatric problems. Patients, parents, and caregivers should be alert for, and immediately report, any of the following symptoms to a healthcare provider:

  • Agitation, aggressive behavior, hostility, or anxiousness.
  • Depression, including suicidal thoughts and actions.
  • Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, nightmares, or sleepwalking.
  • Hallucinations, confusion, or memory problems.
  • Tremor or uncontrolled muscle movements.

Other Serious Reactions

Rare, but serious, reactions include:

  • Allergic reactions: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or a severe rash (hives, itching).
  • Liver problems: Symptoms may include yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or persistent stomach pain.
  • Eosinophilia and Systemic Vasculitis: A combination of symptoms such as a flu-like illness, numbness/pins and needles feeling in the arms or legs, worsening asthma, and rash. This requires immediate medical evaluation.

Important Safety Advice

  • Do not use Desmont to treat an acute asthma attack. It is for long-term control and prevention.
  • If you have a history of mental health problems or liver disease, discuss this with your doctor before starting treatment.
  • Chewable tablets contain aspartame (a source of phenylalanine), which should be avoided by patients with Phenylketonuria (PKU).

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

This section details the officially documented manifestations and required emergency actions for a fixed-dose combination product containing Desloratadine and Montelukast, based strictly on government regulatory documents.


Documented Clinical Manifestations

Overdose information is primarily derived from clinical experience with the individual active ingredients. Clinical signs reported in regulatory labeling following overexposure to Montelukast include abdominal pain, headache, thirst, vomiting, and changes in consciousness such as somnolence and psychomotor hyperactivity. Somnolence has also been reported in clinical trials involving higher doses of Desloratadine.


Emergency Actions and Treatment

In the event of a suspected overdose, regulatory authorities mandate that you seek immediate medical attention or call the Poison Help line. There is no specific antidote officially documented for overdose with either component.

Treatment must be symptomatic and supportive, including general measures to remove any unabsorbed drug from the stomach or intestines. Regulatory data confirms that hemodialysis is not effective for removing Desloratadine and its active metabolite from the body.

Therapeutic Uses of Desmont

This medication is primarily used for managing symptoms related to persistent allergic rhinitis (hay fever), which involves addressing challenging manifestations like nasal congestion and a persistent runny nose. It is often used when prior single-agent symptomatic support has been insufficient. The combination is applicable in situations where symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states require support, contributing to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms across multiple symptom axes.

The core indications for which this medication is commonly used are Persistent Allergic Rhinitis, Chronic Urticaria (hives), and providing symptomatic support for allergic airway conditions (such as associated wheezing and coughing). The combination assists in easing challenging manifestations, supporting general well-being during symptomatic phases.

Quick Fact: Relief for Persistent Allergy
Main Target Symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states
Symptom Goal Easing of Pruritus, Sneezing, and Nasal Obstruction
Context of Use When additional symptomatic support is required

The combination provides supportive relief for disruptive cutaneous symptoms, such as recurrent episodes of skin itching (pruritus) and the appearance of welts (weals) in chronic hives, and supports general well-being during symptomatic phases.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who can and cannot use Desmont — official regulatory information

Official regulatory documents strictly define the patient groups eligible for or restricted from using Desmont, primarily based on age, known allergies, and specific health conditions.


Populations for whom use is contraindicated:

  • Patients with known hypersensitivity to the active substance (desloratadine), to any excipients in the formulation, or to the parent compound loratadine.

Age-related eligibility rules:

  • The tablet form is typically indicated for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older. Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children younger than 6 months of age.

Condition-specific eligibility rules (Use with Caution):

  • Hepatic and Renal Impairment: Caution is required in patients with severe renal insufficiency or hepatic impairment, as increased drug exposure may occur. Dosage adjustment is often recommended for adults with these conditions.
  • Seizure History: The medicine should be administered with caution in patients with a personal or familial history of seizures due to a potential increased risk, especially in young children.
  • Hereditary Disorders: Patients with rare hereditary problems like galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption must not take formulations containing these excipients.

Pregnancy and lactation eligibility status:

  • Use is generally not recommended during pregnancy as a precautionary measure, and it is not recommended during breast-feeding since the active substance is excreted into human milk.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Desmont Interactions with other medicines and products

Desmont (Desloratadine) is primarily metabolized in the body, and its exposure can be altered when taken alongside medicines that affect this metabolic pathway. Specifically, co-administration with inhibitors of the Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 enzyme system can lead to higher plasma concentrations of Desmont and its primary metabolite. This mechanistic effect is documented with specific interacting medicines.


Specific Interacting Medicines and Classes

Interacting Medicine or Class Documented Effect
Inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., Ketoconazole, Erythromycin) Increased plasma concentration of Desmont and its metabolite.
Azithromycin Increased plasma concentration of Desmont and its metabolite.
Fluoxetine (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) Increased plasma concentration of Desmont and its metabolite.
Cimetidine (Histamine H2-Receptor Antagonist) Increased plasma concentration of Desmont and its metabolite.

In controlled studies, while elevated drug levels were observed with Ketoconazole, Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Fluoxetine, and Cimetidine, the official regulatory findings indicate there were no clinically relevant changes in Desmont’s established safety profile under the study conditions.


Interference with Diagnostic Procedures

Desmont may interfere with the results of a diagnostic test involving histamine phosphate. Individuals should ensure their healthcare provider is aware of Desmont use before undergoing any such diagnostic testing.

Mechanism of Action

How Desmont Works

Desmont's mechanism of action is defined by its highly selective activity within two main mechanistic domains, resulting in changes to specific physiological processes.


Targeted Blockade of Histamine H1 Receptors

This domain covers the drug's primary action at the molecular level, where it functions as an antagonist (blocker) for the histamine H1 receptors found on various cell types, including those lining blood vessels (endothelial cells). By binding to these receptors, Desmont prevents the natural chemical messenger, histamine, from activating its target. This immediate interference with the histaminergic pathway initiates the drug's mechanism of action.


Modulation of the Immediate Inflammatory Cascade

This mechanistic domain describes the physiological consequences that arise from the initial H1 receptor blockade. By suppressing the H1 signal, Desmont modifies the resulting signal transmission within the inflammatory cascade that follows H1 receptor activation. This influence on the downstream effects of mediator activity results in altered physiological responses, such as decreased vascular permeability and modified smooth muscle tone.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Desmont — Official Administration Guidelines

Desmont is administered by the oral route (by mouth) and is typically taken once daily. Specific dosing rules are defined based on age and patient condition to ensure a standardized approach to its use.

Dosage and Scheduling

Age Group Recommended Dose Frequency
Adults and Adolescents (12 years and older) 5 mg Once Daily
Children (6 to 11 years) 2.5 mg Once Daily
Children (6 to 23 months) (Oral solution/granules only) 1 mg (or 4 mg oral granules) Once Daily

Desmont may be taken with or without food. To maintain consistent drug levels, the dose should be taken at approximately the same time each day.

Administration Instructions

For Oral Tablets, the medicine must be swallowed whole; it should not be chewed, crushed, or broken. For Oral Disintegrating Tablets (ODT), the patient must use dry hands to peel back the foil backing and immediately place the tablet on the tongue, allowing it to dissolve before swallowing with saliva. For Oral Solution or Syrup, a calibrated measuring dropper or oral syringe must be used to accurately measure the prescribed dose.

Missed Dose and Special Populations

If a dose is missed, take the dose as soon as it is remembered. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and return to the regular dosing schedule; do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one. For patients with renal or hepatic impairment, the dosage may require modification, such as a reduced dose or less frequent administration, as determined by a healthcare provider.


This information is based on labeled instructions and is not a substitute for medical advice or patient counseling.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Desmont


Evidence for Use in Persistent Allergic Rhinitis

This summary outlines the structure of the clinical evaluation for allergic rhinitis, focusing on the available short-term, randomized controlled trials and pooled data that examined outcomes such as nasal symptom scores and quality of life metrics.

Research was conducted using short-term, randomized controlled trials (RCTs). These studies primarily involved adult populations with persistent or seasonal allergic rhinitis, including individuals whose symptoms were not fully addressed by a single antihistamine medication alone. The outcomes that research examined included the overall intensity of symptoms, measured through validated scores like the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), which helps monitor physical discomfort like sneezing, nasal itching, and congestion. Studies also explored outcomes reflecting daily functioning or activity level, using patient-reported quality of life questionnaires.

Findings describe patterns observed in the studies where measurements of the Total Nasal Symptom Score evolved over the observed treatment periods when comparing the fixed combination to the single-agent components. Research describes changes measured during the study period related to nasal congestion. The results apply primarily to the populations studied and may not reflect the experience of every individual with allergic rhinitis.


Evidence for Use in Chronic Urticaria

This block will describe the studies, primarily randomized controlled trials, that investigated the combination's application in patients with chronic hives, detailing the tracked measures like pruritus severity and changes in the appearance of weals.

Research has explored the use of the fixed combination in adults diagnosed with chronic urticaria. The outcomes related to physical discomfort that research examined included the severity of pruritus (itching) and monitoring the number and size of weals (hives). These are patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort.

Studies reported how symptoms evolved in the observed populations during the short-term trial period. Research describes changes measured in the intensity of itching and the appearance of weals when comparing the combination against the antihistamine monotherapy. Follow-up durations were limited in these studies, typically spanning up to six weeks.


What is Still Uncertain About the Research

The current evidence landscape highlights what is known—and what is still uncertain—about the fixed combination. A key limitation is that follow-up durations were limited across the primary efficacy studies; therefore, long-term effects are not fully established. Similarly, sample sizes were modest in some of the more complex comparative trials, meaning the findings describe group patterns that may not translate consistently across all patient groups. Comparative evidence is lacking for some alternative therapeutic approaches, such as studies directly comparing the fixed combination against increasing the dose of an antihistamine monotherapy.

Key Studies & References

  1. Efficacy and Safety of Fixed-Dose Combination of Montelukast-Desloratadine 10 mg/5 mg Capsule in Mexican Adults with Persistent Allergic Rhinitis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled, and Multicenter Study

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Desmont (FAQ)

Q: How long does it take for Desmont to start working and when will I feel the full effects?

Official regulatory documents include pharmacokinetic data, which describes how the body processes the medicine. This data provides information on the rate of absorption. For instance, the active ingredient desloratadine typically reaches its highest level in the bloodstream after about 3 hours, and montelukast reaches its maximum level after approximately 2 to 4 hours. Drug levels are generally maintained over a 24-hour period.


Q: What happens if I stop taking Desmont suddenly?

Desmont is typically prescribed for the long-term management of persistent allergic conditions. Prescribing information for the montelukast component warns that this type of medicine should not be abruptly substituted for other treatments, such as oral or inhaled steroids. Any changes to a prescribed treatment plan, including stopping a medicine, should be discussed with a healthcare provider.


Q: Is Desmont safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

According to official regulatory documents, the use of Desmont is generally not recommended during pregnancy as a precautionary measure due to limitations in available human data. Use is also not recommended during breast-feeding because the active substance is known to be excreted into human milk. Decisions regarding use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.


Q: How should I store Desmont tablets and what should I do with expired medicine?

Desmont should be kept in its original container and stored at controlled room temperature, typically between 68 F and 77 F (20 C to 25 C), to protect it from moisture. For disposal of expired or unused medicine, regulatory guidance recommends using an authorized drug take-back program, if available. Medicines should not be flushed down the toilet unless the label specifically directs otherwise.


Q: Does Desmont cause drowsiness, and can I drive while taking it?

Official information states that somnolence, or drowsiness, has been reported in clinical trials involving one of the active ingredients. While many people do not experience this side effect, caution is generally advised when performing tasks that require full mental alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until an individual knows how this medicine affects them.


Q: Does Desmont have a generic equivalent, and what is its chemical name?

Desmont is the brand name for a fixed-dose combination product. It contains the two active ingredients, Desloratadine and Montelukast, which are their International Nonproprietary Names (INN). The availability of generic equivalents for the combination product is dependent on patent and exclusivity status, which is tracked by regulatory bodies like the FDA.


Q: What are the key facts I need to know about the two different active ingredients?

Desmont is a dual-action medicine composed of two different substance classes, as defined by regulatory documents. The first ingredient, Desloratadine, is classified as a selective peripheral H1-receptor antagonist (an antihistamine). The second ingredient, Montelukast, is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA). This combination is designed to suppress the allergic and inflammatory response by targeting two different mechanistic pathways in the body.

How should Desmont be stored and disposed of?

Prescription medications like Desmont must be stored and handled according to the specific directions provided on the product label to ensure stability and effectiveness. The product should be kept in its original container and protected from environmental factors like excessive heat, light, and moisture, unless otherwise directed by the healthcare provider or pharmacist. Specific temperature requirements, such as room temperature or refrigeration, are determined by the drug’s stability data and must be strictly followed.

All medicine containers, including Desmont, must be stored securely out of the reach and sight of children to prevent accidental ingestion or overdose. When disposal is necessary, the preferred method is a drug take-back program, such as authorized drop-off locations or mail-back envelopes. If a take-back option is unavailable, and the drug is not on the U.S. FDA's select list for flushing, it should be mixed with an undesirable substance (like coffee grounds or dirt), placed in a sealed bag, and thrown into the household trash. Do not flush medications unless specifically instructed by the label or regulatory guidance.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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