Cetirizine
Introduction To Cetirizine
Cetirizine contains cetirizine, a medicine used to treat various allergies. It relieves symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, breathlessness, itchy skin and skin rashes. Your doctor may prescribe this medication for conditions such as rhinitis, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, urticaria, eczema and food allergy.
Cetirizine should be taken as advised by your doctor. It is best to take them as a whole before or after food. Depending on the severity of your allergy, your doctor might adjust the doses. Take the medication at night for better results. To prevent adverse effects, take it precisely as per your prescription.
Side effects of Cetirizine include sedation, dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea and dry mouth. They typically last for a short period and usually go away on their own. Contact your healthcare provider if the problems persist.
Cetirizine is contraindicated for people hypersensitive to hydroxyzine or cetirizine. Always let your doctor know of any health conditions you might have. Generally, this drug is considered safe for most people.
Uses of Cetirizine
Cetirizine is an allergic medication used to treat rhinitis, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, urticaria, eczema, and drug & food allergy. It alleviates symptoms in patients with allergies such as runny nose, sneezing, breathlessness, itchy skin and rashes.
The main ingredient in this medication is cetirizine. It is a low-sedating, long-acting H1-receptor antagonist and prevents allergic responses in the body by hindering the interaction of histamine.
Cetirizine helps people by significantly reducing the allergic response from the body, allowing them to carry on with their daily activities. It also helps the appearance by ridding the skin of rashes or spots. You may take the medication depending on your symptoms; it usually doesn’t present with any notable adverse effects.
How Cetirizine works
Cetirizine contains cetirizine, a low-sedating, long-acting H1-receptor antagonist. This medicine works by blocking the effect of a chemical called histamine, which produces allergic reactions.
Histamine is part of the immune system that triggers the allergic response when something (an allergen) enters the body. All the coughing, sneezing, vomiting and runny nose that one might experience functions as a means of getting rid of this allergen from the body.
People with severe allergies experience symptoms due to these histamines' exaggerated function. The histamines bind with the H1 receptors and start the immune response to those allergens. That is why cetirizine is prescribed in cases like this. It competitively inhibits/blocks the interaction of histamine with its H1 receptors.
Histamine causes the allergic reaction, and Cetirizine contains cetirizine (an antihistamine) which stops histamines from working.
Dosage
Take Cetirizine as prescribed by your doctor. Never consume more than the prescribed dose. Swallow it whole with plenty of water; do not chew or crush it. You can take this medicine before or after your meals. You may feel slightly sleepy after taking this medication, so it is recommended to take it at night time.
If you forget to take this medication, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, ignore the one that you missed and continue with the next. To compensate for a missed dose, avoid taking twice the amount.
Taking more than the prescribed dose of this anti-allergic medicine may lead to worsening side effects like dizziness and sleepiness since cetirizine (the content of this medicine) is a mild sedative.
If you experience signs like extreme dizziness, difficulty in breathing and swelling of the face after taking this medicine, contact your doctor or visit the nearest hospital immediately.
Safety Advice
Cetirizine is not safe for people with kidney disease, alcoholism and allergies to cetirizine, the main ingredient of this medicine. Always let your doctor know of any health conditions you might have. Generally, this medicine is considered safe for most people.
PregnancySafe
Can I take Cetirizine if I’m pregnant?
BreastfeedingConsult doctor
Can I take Cetirizine if I’m breastfeeding?
AlcoholUnsafe
Is drinking alcohol while taking Cetirizine safe?
DrivingUnsafe
Can I drive after taking Cetirizine ?
Drug interactions
Drug-Food interaction
As this medication contains a mild sedative, it is recommended not to drink alcohol while taking this medicine. The common side effects like drowsiness or dizziness might be made worse.
Drug-Disease interaction
Cetirizine is contraindicated if you are hypersensitive to hydroxyzine or cetirizine. It is unsafe to take this medicine if you have any kidney problems, alcoholism and neurological disorders like epilepsy.
Drug-Drug interaction
It is not recommended to take Cetirizine with sedatives and sleeping pills. Exercise caution when taking Cetirizine (contained in Cetirizine ) if you are already taking anticholinergic agents (atropine, dicyclomine, etc.), antiviral drugs (ritonavir) or other CNS depressants (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, etc.).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Atropine Dicyclomine Ritonavir Diazepam
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Cetirizine a sleeping pill?
Cetirizine is not a sleep medicine. It is an antihistamine used for allergies. It is, however, a mild sedative as well, so you might feel drowsy after taking it.
Q. What is Cetirizine used for?
Cetirizine is used for treating allergies. It contains cetirizine, which prevents allergic responses such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itching skin.
Q. Can I take Cetirizine twice a day?
It is best to take one tablet per day. The adult dosage for cetirizine, the main ingredient in this medicine, is 10mg per day, and Cetirizine contains 10mg of cetirizine per tablet.
Q. How long does it take for Cetirizine to work?
Cetirizine the onset of action is 1 hour; your allergic symptoms will reduce within the first hour of use. The effect of this medicine usually lasts 24 hours.
Q. Should I take Cetirizine before or after food?
Cetirizine can be taken before or after your meals. Drink plenty of water and try to take the tablet as a whole. Follow your doctor’s prescription for the best results.
Q. Will Cetirizine make you feel sleepy?
Yes, sleepiness is a common side effect. Cetirizine is an antihistamine containing cetirizine, a mild sedative, so you might feel drowsy after taking it.
References
- Cetirizine: a brief overview (medlineplus.gov)
- Cetirizine medication (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Philip Anderson - Handbook of Clinical Drug Data-McGraw-Hill Medical (2001)
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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