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Order Cetirizine (generic Cetirizine)
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| Brand Name | Cetirizine |
| Generic Name | Cetirizine |
| Category | Antihistamine |
| Medication | 10 mg |
What is Cetirizine and what are its uses?
Cetirizine is an antihistamine. Antihistamines work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body.
Cetirizine is used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other types of allergy.
Cetirizine can also be used to relieve the symptoms of a condition called chronic idiopathic urticaria. This is a chronic itchy rash, similar to nettle rash, but with no apparent cause. Blocking the actions of histamine relieves the itching and reduces the rash associated with this condition.
Cetirizine is a type of medicine called a non-sedating antihistamine. Cetirizine works by preventing the actions of histamine.
Histamine is a substance produced by the body as part of its defense mechanisms. It is stored in cells called mast cells, in almost all tissues of the body. When the body reacts to a foreign substance (known as an allergen, e.g. flower pollen), the mast cells stimulated by the allergen release their stores of histamine.
Cetirizine works by blocking histamine H1 receptors. Cetirizine does not prevent the actual release of histamine from mast cells, but prevents it binding to its receptors. This in turn prevents the release of other allergy chemicals and increased blood supply to the area, and provides relief from the typical symptoms of hay fever.
Dosage: How should you take Cetirizine?
Symptoms of a Cetirizine overdose are not well known but may include drowsiness.
Store Cetirizine at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused amount of Cetirizine after the expiry date.
Effect of other drugs consumed with Cetirizine
The following drugs may interact with Cetirizine. They may increase or decrease the activity of Cetirizine
Inform your health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way Cetirizine works.
Who should not take Cetirizine?
Cetirizine should not be used by children under six years of age.
Cetirizine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using Cetirizine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Cetirizineis in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Cetirizine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Cetirizine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Cetirizine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Cetirizine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Cetirizine.
Inform your health care professional if your symptoms do not start to improve in 2 or 3 days.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how Cetirizine affects you.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.
If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are due to have any skin prick tests to diagnose allergies you should stop taking Cetirizine at least 48 hours before the tests. This is because antihistamines can prevent or lessen the skin reactions that indicate an allergy, and so can make the test results unreliable.
Possible Side effects of Cetirizine
Serious side effects of Cetirizine are rare. Side effects of Cetirizine that should be reported to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects of Cetirizine that should be reported to your health care professional if they continue or are bothersome: