Markethealthbeauty.com – Cetirizine is a remedy to overcome allergy symptoms, such as colds, nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, itching of the eyes, nose or throat, as well as rashes on the skin.
In the cetirizine drug, contained the active ingredient cetirizine hydrochloride (HCl) with various forms of drug preparations. Various preparations of the cetirizine drug are tablets 10 mg, syrup 5 mg, and drop.
Cetirizine works by blocking the work of histamine compounds produced by the body when exposed to allergens. This is because histamine compounds are the cause of the appearance of allergic reactions.
Cetirizine belongs to the group of anti allergic drugs (antihistamines) that do not cause drowsiness. Another anti allergic drug that is classified with cetirizine is loratadine. Unlike loratadine, although it should not cause drowsiness, some people who take cetirizine feel drowsy side effects.
Function of cetirizine hydrochloride
Cetirizine Hydrochloride is an antihistamine drug that serves to relieve allergy symptoms such as:
- Hives
- Watery eyes
- Cold
- Itchy eyes or nose.
The drug works by blocking certain natural substances (i.e. Histamine) that the body produces during an allergic reaction.
Cetirizine can not prevent itching or treat serious allergic reactions (e.g. Anaphylactic). Therefore, if the doctor has prescribed epinephrine to treat a serious allergic reaction, do not replace it with cetirizine. Make sure you always bring an epinephrine syringe.
Cetirizine is a drug that can be obtained with or without a doctor’s prescription in pharmacies. The drug is available in the form of chewing tablets, suction tablets, and liquids.
Cetirizine Hydrochloride Dosage
The Cetirizine Hydrochloride drug should be used based on a doctor’s prescription. The reason, the dosage dose for tablets and syrups will be adjusted to the indication of allergies that occur.
Rules of use Cetirizine Tablet
Older persons: 1 tablet taken 1 time a day or 1/2 tablet, taken 2 times a day.
Cetirizine Drops rules of use
- Children aged 6-23 months: 0.25 mL taken once a day up to 0.25 mL taken 2 times a day.
- Children aged 2-5 years: 0.5 mL taken 1 time a day or in a divided dose in half.
Rules of use Cetirizine Syrup:
- Children aged 2-6 years: 1/2 measuring spoonful (2.5 mL), taken 2 times a day.
- Children aged 6-12 years: 1 measuring spoonful (5 mL), taken 2 times a day.
- Older persons: 2 measuring spoonfuls (10 mL), taken 1 time a day.
Cetirizine hydrochloride side effects
Cetirizine has side effects after consumption, among others,
Nausea.
Avoid foods that are difficult to digest. Do not lie down after eating. Rest with your head higher than your feet. If you feel nauseous when you wake up in the morning, eat lean meat or cheese before going to bed.
You can also have biscuits by the bed and eat a little shortly after waking up. Drink at least six glasses of water a day.
Diarrhea.
Drink water little by little, but in frequent times. Talk to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as urinating less frequently than usual, or dark-colored urine and a pungent smell. Do not take other medications to treat diarrhea without talking to a doctor or pharmacist.
Causes drowsiness
11 to 14% of people who took cetirizine reported that they felt sleepy after taking cetirizine
This makes drowsiness the most common side effect. The effect of the drug will last for 24 hours, so drowsiness you can feel at any time.
You need to avoid drinking alcohol and be careful when you want to ride a motorbike or car if this drug gives you drowsiness.
Makes You Feel Headaches
This side effect is likely to occur or not occur due to cetirizine drug, because the cause of headaches can be caused by many things.
If possible, you can stop taking the drug for a while and see if it will help.
You can consult a pharmacist to find out other allergy medications that are better for you.
The mouth will feel dry
You will definitely feel very irritated when your mouth feels dry. Less than 10% of people who take this drug will end up with dry mouth.
If you have an allergic response, your tissues will make more fluid so you will have colds and watery eyes, and antihistamines will dry your mouth even more.
However, you can overcome the side effects that cause dry mouth by drinking water and using alcohol-free mouthwashes. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol, because the mouthwash will make the mouth drier.
Having Insomnia
This remedy will make an adult feel sleepy. But for children, they will have a little insomnia.
Although taking this medicine in the morning will also not prevent the occurrence of insomnia later, because the effect will last all day. You can consult a pediatrician to change other drugs.
Sore Throat or Cough
For those of you who have a sore throat after taking cetirizine medicine, this can be caused by your mucous membranes becoming drier, thus causing the tissues in your mouth to feel a little drier and causing a sore throat.
Coughing can be an instinctive response to moisturize your mouth. So, to combat this, you need to remain dehydrated.
But, if the side effects become severe, you can change to a different antihistamine.
Experiencing Constipation
Constipation side effects are very rare, because this drug has an anticholinergic effect that makes the drug block neurotransmitters that affect body function.
In this case, there are certain receptors that can help inhibit intestinal motility. This side effect will be more common in someone who is older.
First generation antihistamines like Benadryl can have side effects, but Zhyrtec is a second generation antihistamine with few side effects.
If you have constipation, then you need to try different antihistamines, add fiber to your diet, and stay hydrated.
6 Other side effects
- Abdominal pain,
- Weakness.
- Tiredness
- Laryngitis
- Narrowing of the airways
- Vomiting
Even so, not everyone will experience the same side effects.
Cetirizine Hydrochloride Contraindications
Drug Interactions
Cetirizine can cause interactions or even inhibit the performance of the drug if used in conjunction with other drugs. There are several medications that cannot be used in conjunction with Cetirizine, including ritonavir, midodrine, and medications that have side effects of drowsiness, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating.
It is recommended to consult the use of the Cetirizine drug in conjunction with other drugs or supplements to a doctor or pharmacist. This is to prevent the risk of drug interactions.
Risk Groups
Although rare, it is recommended to consult your doctor if you have certain health conditions such as being pregnant, breastfeeding, or having health problems such as impaired liver function, kidney disease, and heart disease.
