When loratadine/Claritin went off patent, it also was approved for OTC use, and Schering-Plough didn't like this, because it meant less money. One patent strategy is to get a drug's metabolite approved for the original drug's purpose, after the original drug goes off patent (that is, put something in you that your body would turn the drug into anyway).
Desloratadine:

Loratadine:

You give up a molecule of CO2 and a molecule of ethanol for the privilege of paying patented-drug prices!
Molecules: You'd better learn to live with them.
Comments
I'm pretty sure it's spelled "Claritin".
Posted by: Dr. Nick | November 24, 2008 7:35 PM