Generic Zyrtec

Zyrtec

Generic name: Cetirizine

Cetirizine tablets

What do cetirizine tablets represent?

CETIRIZINE (Zyrtec®) belongs to the category of an antihistamine. Antihistamines functions by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which produced in the human organism. Cetirizine is also prescribed for preventing symptoms of hay fever as well as other categories of allergy. It is also prescribed fore lessening itching and hives.

What should I inform my health care provider of before I start to take this medicine?

You should first of all inform the doctor if you have any of the below provided conditions are observed by you:

• liver illness
• kidney illness
• an extraordinary or allergic reaction to cetirizine,
• allergic reaction to foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• breast-feeding mothers

What are the use instructions for the medicine?

This medicine should be taken by mouth with a full glass of water. The instructions on the prescription label should be followed carefully. This medicine has best effects when taken both simultaneously with the meal or without it. It should be taken at defined intervals. Do not take the medicine at more doses than prescribed. Take all the quantity of your prescribed medicine even if you go to improvement. The prescribed doses should not be skipped.

Cetirizine was been used in children of 2 years old.

What if I find I have missed a dose?

Should you miss a dose of this medicine please take it asap. If you find you have missed the previous dosage when it is almost time for your next dose, you should better skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Taking double or extra doses at once is not recommended. If more than one dose is missed, please contact your attending medical doctor or health care provider.

What medicine can interact with this category of drug?

As cetirizine is liable to causing giddiness, other medicines which also cause drowsiness may show increment of this effect of cetirizine. Some medicines which are liable to causing giddiness are:

• spirits
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• certain antidepressants or tranquilizers (for example, amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, nortriptyline, trifluoperazine)
• certain category of narcotics or pain medicines (codeine, meperidine, methadone, oxycodone, propoxyphene and other)
• certain medicines which are meant for anxiety or to help easy sleep (alprazolam, chloral hydrate, diazepam, meprobamate)
• certain categories of antihistamines which are used in cold medicines (diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine)

Please consult your health care provider about other medicines which are liable to show increment of this effect of cetirizine.

Inform your health care provider about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, and any other herbal products. Also necessarily inform your health care provider if you use alcohol drinks, and if your are smoking or using illegal drugs. These factors may have affect on the way the medicine works. Please consult your doctor before starting to take the m medicine, also stop them only under doctors' control.

What side effects can be noticed from medicine?

Side effects which you should inform your health care provider of as soon as possible:

What side effects can be noticed from medicine?

Side effects which you should inform your health care provider of as soon as possible:

any extraordinary effects that are bothersome

There are side effects that generally do not need to be under medical control thus informing your health care provider if the symptoms continue:

• diarrhea
• giddiness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• weariness
• headache
• sickness or stomach disorder
• sore throat

What should I be attentive to when I take medicine?

Please regularly inform your health care provider on your conditions and treatment progress. Please necessarily visit your doctor in case you do not observe improvement in 2-3 days.

You may also get dizzy or giddy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any actions which require mental alertness until you certainly inform how this medicine may affect you. Please also note that taking alcoholic drinks is not recommended at the time you take medicine.

Your mouth can get arid. Chewing sugar free gum or sucking hard candy, as well as drinking a lot of water will be of great assistance.

What are the best maintenance instructions for this medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

The best conditions to keep the medicine at are to store them room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). The container where the medicine is stored should be tightly closed. It should be also strictly protected from moisture. Any unused medicine the expiration date have passed should be thrown away. What is meant by the shelf life of drugs?

The shelf life for the medicine is 2 years from the date of producing and would vary for different batches; this factor is dependant on the date of production.