Zyrtec prescribing information |
|
 |
|
Zyrtec notes:
Known by the brand name Zyrtec and having the generic name Cetrizine hydrochrolide (HCl), Zirtec is a medication used to relieve symptoms of allergies. Zyrtec is a second-generation antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Zyrtec gives relief from the common allergies by blocking the action of histamines since it produces typical symptoms of sneezing, itching, tearing, and redness of the eyes, and running nose. Zyrtec also gives relief from the seasonal allergies caused due to grass, tree pollens, dust mites, animal dander etc. Zyrtec is used to treat these allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes etc. Zyrtec is used to prevent swelling caused by chronic urticaria (hives). This medicine is available for adults and the children above two years of age.
Zyrtec can be taken with or without food. Zertec comes in many different forms like chewable, non-chewable and syrup forms. It includes 5 mg or 10 mg chewable tablets and also 1mg /ml syrup which can be taken either with water or without water. Before taking Zyrtec, it is advisable to go through the Zertec dosage information and instructions since its overdose can cause extreme sleepiness in adults and restlessness and irritability in children.
There can be certain side-effects also of consuming ceterizine 10 mg. Some side-effects are usually mild and moderate and can include headache, dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, sore throat, abdominal pain, coughing, nose bleeding, somnolence (drowsiness), diarrhea, wheezing, nausea, and vomiting. However Zyrtec’s consumption has some serious side effects as well including fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat weakness, tremors (uncontrolled shaking), sleep problems (insomnia), severe restless feeling, hyperactivity, confusion, problems with vision or urinating less than usual or not at all, unusual bruising or bleeding, yellowing of eyes or skin.
Zyrtec update:
Zyrtec is an orally active and selective H1-receptor antagonist. Cetirizine hydrochloride is the active component of zyrtec available in tablets and syrup form. It works by crossing the blood-brain barrier only slightly there by eliminating the sedative side-effect common with older antihistamines, however it still causes mild drowsiness. Like many other antihistamine medications, zyrtec is commonly prescribed in combination with pseudoephedrine hydrochloride which is a decongestant.
Chemically, levocetirizine is the active L enantiomer of zyrtec. According to a recent study levocetirizine inhibits the production of intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 and secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, which proves to be beneficial on the pathophysiologic changes related to human rhinovirus (HRV) infection. Cetirizine acts as an effective agent in treating the symptoms of Kimura's disease, which mostly occurs in young asian men affecting the lymph nodes and soft tissue of the head and neck in the form of tumor-like lesions. As a result of its effectiveness in treating itching and as an anti-inflammatory agent makes it suitable for treatment of such lesions.
Controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials were conducted in the USA and Canada which includes more than 6000 patients aged 12 years and older, with more than 3900 receiving zyrtec at doses of 5 to 20 mg per day. The duration of treatment ranged from 1 week to 6 months with a mean exposure of 30 days. Most adverse reactions reported during therapy with this medication were mild or moderate. The most common adverse reaction in patients aged 12 years and older that occurred more frequently was somnolence.
No clinically significant drug interactions have been found with theophylline at a low dose, azithromycin, pseudoephedrine, ketoconazole or erythromycin. There are reports indicating small decrease in the clearance of cetirizine caused by a 400-mg dose of theophylline which shows possibility of greater effect at larger theophylline dose.
In mice, rats and rabbits cetirizine was not found to cause malformations of an embryo or a fetus at oral doses up to 96, 225 and 135 mg/kg respectively. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response. Zyrtec should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
In a recently conducted study to compare the potential of bilastine, cetirizine and fexofenadine to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, seventy-five allergic volunteers were challenged with grass pollen on two consecutive days of allergen provocation, 6 hour on first day and 4 hour on second day. Bilastine 20 mg, cetirizine 10 mg and fexofenadine 120 mg were taken orally 2 hour after the start of provocation on day 1. Patients were assesses for total nasal symptom scores, global symptom scores, nasal secretions and eye symptoms on both the days. Bilastine shows a rapid onset of action within 1 hour and a long duration of action greater than 26 hour. Cetirizine also shows the similar behaviour. Fexofenadine was similar on day 1 but less effective on second day indicating a shorter duration of action.
A dose of 5 mg once daily is recommended in patients with 12 years of age and older with decreased renal function (creatinine clearance 11-31 mL/min), patients on hemodialysis (creatinine clearance less than 7 mL/min) and in hepatically impaired patients. Similarly, pediatric patients aged 6 to 11 years with impaired renal or hepatic function should use the lower recommended dose. Because of the difficulty in reliably administering doses of less than 2.5 mg of zyrtec syrup and in the absence of pharmacokinetic and safety information for cetirizine in children below the age of 6 years with impaired renal or hepatic function, its use in this impaired patient population is not recommended.
In a 2-year carcinogenicity study in rats, cetirizine was not found to be carcinogenic at dietary doses up to 20 mg/kg. In a test conducted on mice shows an an increased incidence of benign liver tumors in males at a dietary dose of 16 mg/kg. No increase in the incidence of liver tumors was observed in mice at a dietary dose of 4 mg/kg. Cetirizine was not mutagenic in the Ames test and not clastogenic in the human lymphocyte assay, the mouse lymphoma assay and in vivo micronucleus test in rats. In a fertility and general reproductive performance study in mice, cetirizine did not impair fertility at an oral dose of 64 mg/kg.
Description
Allergic reactions are a result of the body executing an immune response against certain foreign substances from the environment which get into the body via the airways or other routes. When the body senses the presence of these foreign substances such as pollen, dust, mold or animal dander, it release a chemical called histamine and this result in symptoms such as sneezing, reddening, itching and watering of the eyes and nose. Zyrtec is a prescription drug which can be used to prevent these symptoms; it can also be used in the treatment of hives and itchy skin. Although Zyrtec belongs to the new generation of antihistamines which have less sedative effect, it is known to be the most sedating of all four.
How to take Zyrtec
Zyrtec should be taken under prescription by a medical expert by those who suffer from allergies as well as with hives. It is often available in 5mg and 10mg tablets for oral dosage. The recommended dose varies for different individuals therefore the drug should be taken according to the recommended dose by a medical expert. Due to the sedating effect which Zyrtec might cause, individuals taking this drug mush take extra care while driving or carrying out hazardous activities as this may affect the person’s attentiveness as it may induce sleepiness. This drug can be taken by people from the age of 6 and for each age group and gender it should be taken according to medical prescription.
Contraindication
Zyrtec should not be prescribed to anyone who has shown allergy to this drug or similar drugs.
Drug Interaction
People taking Zyrtec should avoid consuming alcohol. Other drowsiness inducing drugs such as sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills and muscle relaxers should not be taken with Zyrtec. This includes products such as Tofranil (an antidepressant), Valium (muscle relaxer), Nembutal (sedative), Restoril (sleeping pill) and codeine (narcotic).
Possible Side Effects
The side effects which may occur as a result of taking Zyrtec includes Dry mouth, headache, sore throat (rather rare), nausea, fatigue and drowsiness. Dry mouth can be easily managed by sucking on candy or ice or chewing bubble gum.
Pregnant and Breastfeeding
This drug is not recommended for pregnant women as the risk to fetus is yet to be established. Breastfeeding women should also not take Zyrtec as the drug could leak into breast milk.
Storage
This drug should be stored away from moist environment at a temperature between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Zyrtec review article...
|
|
Allergy
 Zyrtec prescribing information
Buy here
|
|
My Basket
