Cetirizine
Uses
Cetirizine is used in the treatment of allergies and the symptoms it can cause.
How it Works
Cetirizine is an antihistamine- anti-allergy medicine. There is a natural substance produced in the body called histamine, histamine is stored in the mast cells throughout the body. When an allergic reaction occurs due to exposure of pollen, dust etc. , cells in the body release histamine, this causes histamine to bind to certain receptors in the body, which then leads to allergy symptoms. By taking Cetirizine histamine is prevented from binding to its receptors, which helps to provide relief from hay fever symptoms and allergies.
Common Side effects
Patients who take Cetirizine may suffer from such side effects;
Cough,
Headaches,
Vertigo and somnolence,
Uncomfortable feeling in the stomach,
Dry sensation affecting the inside of the mouth,
Diarrhoea,
Drowsiness,
Dry mouth,
Fatigue,
Stomach pain,
Vomiting
Introduction
Cetirizine has the US brand name Zyrtec. Cetirizine also has the brand name Cetcip or Cetrizet. Some of the manufacturers of Cetirizine are GSK and Alkem. Cetirizine is approved by the drug research foundation FDA. The drug is usually manufactured in the form of tablets. Each tablet has the strength of 10 mg. Cetirizine's main purpose is to avoid allergies in the eyes and nose. Cetirizine also helps to avoid the symptoms of Chronic-urticaria.
Composition
The active ingredient of Zyrtec is CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE. It has a molecular weight of 461.82. It is a water-soluble substance that is in crystalline powder form. The substance is white in colour. The Inactive components in Cetirizine are lactose monohydrate, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, and hypromellose.
Use
The advantages of the use of Cetirizine is that it takes immediate action towards your allergies with very few side-effects. It is best suitable for the seasonal allergies. The other advantage of Cetirizine is that it prevents the symptoms caused by Chronic-urticaria. It will not give full protection from Chronic-urticaria, However, it stops the symptoms temporarily for treatment purposes.
Dosage and administration
The tablets are available in strengths of 10 mg each. It is advised that you take one tablet daily on a regular basis. Children between the age of 2-6 should take smaller dosage of the tablets, that is one-fourth of the tablet (2.5 mg). Children between the age of 6-12 can take half of the tablet (5mg). It can be feed to the children below the age of 2 only after consulting with the doctors.
Contraindication
Children within the ages of 6-12 should consult with the doctors first before taking Cetirizine. Chilren in the age limit of 2-6 should not use this drug. At the same time, it should not be given to children below the age of two years.
Important Precautions
You should not take this drug and consume alcohol as well. Otherwise it may cause more serious side effects. Pregnant women are advised to not take Cetirizine until the end of the breastfeeding period.
Side effects
Some of the side effects that may occur are headaches, dry mouth, fatigue, insomnia and abdominal pains.
Storage
It must be essential that Cetirizine should be kept away from the children.Cetirizine should be kept away from extreme heat and moisture; it should be kept away from direct sunlight.Cetirizine should be kept at room temperature at the range of 23-25 degrees. Cetirizine should also be kept away from children and pets