Desloratadine – loratadine – Krestine – Mildin and cancer

What are desloratadine, loratadine, Krestine and Mildin

Desloratadine and loratadine are originally developed antihistamines used to relieve allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, itching, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. Desloratadine is an active metabolite of loratadine and has a longer-lasting effect. Krestine and Mildin are brand names for preparations containing loratadine. Both medicinal products are non-sedating, meaning they generally do not cause drowsiness, and they are often used to treat allergic reactions and seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Desloratadine’s impact on cancer

Although the precise mechanism for the positive effect of desloratadine and loratadine in connection with adjuvant cancer treatment is not yet fully understood, researchers have identified some potential explanations:

Immune system

• Desloratadine can affect the function of the immune system in a way that may strengthen the body’s ability to fight cancer cells.

Cancer cell division

• There are some theories that desloratadine can affect the processes that control how cancer cells divide and grow.

Anti-inflammation

• Cancer is often associated with chronic inflammation, and desloratadine has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce this inflammation.

Risks

Additionally, there are some (though limited) risks associated with the use of loratadine, desloratadine, and Krestine, such as drowsiness and dry mouth.

These preparations are generally safe and well-tolerated by most people, but can cause side effects in some.

Common side effects

• Dry mouth
• Sleepiness
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Rare side effects

• Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, difficulty breathing)
• Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Nervous tension
• Nightmares
• Seizures
• Liver problems
• Hair loss

It should be noted that this is not an exhaustive list of all possible side effects. You can find more information about side effects in the package leaflet for your medicinal product.

Note

Children may be more susceptible to certain side effects, especially sleepiness. Older adults may have decreased liver or kidney function, which can make them more susceptible to certain side effects.

Loratadine

• Can interact with other medicinal products, so it is important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Desloratadine

• Is not approved for use in children under 2 years of age. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should speak with your doctor before taking loratadine or desloratadine.

Research

Studies suggest that these antihistamines may have a beneficial effect on inhibiting the growth and spread of cancer cells.

For example, one study found that people taking loratadine were less likely to die from colorectal cancer than those who did not. Another study showed that loratadine can help improve the survival rate in people with breast cancer.

The following has thus been found:

Extended survival

• Several studies, including Swedish ones, have shown a correlation between the use of desloratadine and longer survival in patients with certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer and malignant melanoma.

Resistance to chemotherapy

• Some studies suggest that desloratadine can make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.

Other antihistamines

• Not all antihistamines have shown the same effect as desloratadine. However, for example, loratadine has also shown promising results, while other antihistamines have not.

Conclusion

Overall, the evidence for the use of loratadine and desloratadine as off-label treatment for cancer is good. However, more research is needed to determine if loratadine is sufficiently effective and safe for this purpose. But generally speaking, cancer cells thrive where there is inflammation, and these agents contribute to dampening such inflammation. Furthermore, be aware that certain medicinal products can interact, so that unintended effects may occur when these are combined. If in doubt, it can be checked here:

Drugs.com

The future

Research into the off-label use of desloratadine and loratadine for cancer treatment is still ongoing. But preliminary results are promising. If further research confirms the effectiveness of these medicinal products, they could become a valuable new option for treating cancer in combination with other preparations.

See also Repurposed Drugs

See also No medicine – Plan B

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Links

Interaktioner (search for preparations) (Interaction Database, Danish Medicines Agency) (Danish Language)

Allergy medicine reduces risk of dying from cancer (Dagens Medicin) (Danish Language)

Allergy pills can strengthen effect of chemo (Jyllandsposten) (Danish Language)

New research in repurposed medicine (Danish Cancer Society) (Danish Language)

Improved survival in several cancers (National Library of Medicine)

Page created: July 4, 2024, Last revised October 26, 2024

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