Cetirizine

General English name: Cetirizine

Brand: Piriteze® Allergy One a Day; Pollenshield® Hayfever; Pollenshield Hayfever Relief; Benadryl® Allergy Liquid Release; Benadryl® One a Day Relief; Galpharm Hayfever and Allergy Relief; Lloyds Hayfever and Allergy Relief; Numark Hayfever and Allergy Relief; Zirtek® Allergy

Application: Allergies such as hay fever and some allergic skin reactions

 

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Cetirizine drug information

Medication Information: Cetirizine is an antihistamine that lowers the body’s natural chemical histamine. Histamine can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itching, tearing and runny nose. Antihistamines are used to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, tearing, and runny nose. Cetirizine is also used to treat itching and swelling caused by urticaria.

Contact with substances such as pollen from flowers and trees, animal hair, dust and insect bites causes histamine to be overproduced in some people. Histamine causes allergy symptoms that include hives, sneezing, tearing of the eyes, and stuffy nose. Cetirizine is an antihistamine that blocks the effects of histamine, which reduces allergy symptoms. You can also get cetirizine with a doctor’s and dentist’s prescription or without a doctor’s prescription from a pharmacy. Cetirizine tablets and capsules are suitable for adults and adolescents and its syrup is suitable for children. Cetirizine is not suitable for children under two years of age.

 

Contraindications to Cetirizine

• Pay attention to the expiration date of the medicine and do not take it if the medicine in your hand has expired.
• Never give the medicine to anyone else, even if you have the same symptoms.
• Do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor.
• Check for drug interactions and be sure to tell your doctor what other medications you are taking.

 

Drug interaction of Cetirizine

Drug interactions may alter drug performance and increase the risk of serious side effects. Make a list of all the medicines (including prescription / over-the-counter medicines and herbal products) you use and share them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not change the dose of your medicine without consulting your doctor or stop taking the medicine.

If medications or hypnotics such as alcohol, certain antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine), sleeping pills or anxiety medications (such as diazepam and zolpidem), muscle relaxants and painkillers (such as If you are taking codeine, be sure to tell your doctor.

Check the labels on all your medications (such as allergies or colds and coughmedicines) as most of their ingredients cause drowsiness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about taking these medicines. You should not use cetirizine with other skin antihistamines (such as ointments, sprays, and diphenhydramine creams) as the side effects of these medications will increase.

Cetirizine is very similar to hydroxyzine and levocetirizine, so do not use these drugs with cetirizine.

 

Tips to consider before taking Cetirizine

Some medications are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and some medications may be prescribed if additional treatment is needed. Therefore, it is best for your doctor to be aware of the following before taking cetirizine:

• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding.
• If you have kidney problems.
• If you have porphyria (a rare inherited blooddisease).
• If you are taking certain medications. These medicines include all the medicines available, whether you are prescribed them or taking them without a doctor’s prescription, such as herbal medicines and complementary medicines.
• If you have a history of an allergic reaction to a drug.

 

Possible side effects of Cetirizine

All medications can cause side effects. But many consumers also do not experience any side effects. Some of the side effects go away shortly after taking the medicine. In case of persistent side effects, the doctor should be informed:

Usually, less than one in 10 patients taking cetirizine may experience the following side effects:

Feeling tired and drowsy, dry mouth, feeling bored, diarrhea

Talk to your doctor if you have any other symptoms that you think may be caused by this medicine.

 

How to store Cetirizine

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.