Cetrizine Hydrochloride BP 5mg
Class: Antihistamine
Manufacturer: Sakar Healthcare Pvt. Ltd, block No. 10-13, Sarhhej-bavla road, village changodar, ahmedbadad 382 213, India.
Dosage Form: Syrup
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Uses:
Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine commonly used to relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and itching of the throat or nose caused by allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or other upper respiratory allergies. It is also effective in treating symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives), including itching and rash. Due to its selective peripheral H1-receptor antagonism, cetirizine causes less drowsiness compared to first-generation antihistamines.
Dosage:
Rhizin syrup is typically available in a concentration of 1 mg/mL. For children aged 2 to 6 years, the recommended dose is 2.5 mg (2.5 mL) once daily, which may be increased to a maximum of 5 mg (5 mL) per day in divided doses. For children aged 6 to 12 years, the usual dose is 5 to 10 mg per day, which can be given as 5 mL once or twice daily. Dosing should be adjusted based on age, weight, renal function, and severity of symptoms. Always follow specific pediatric dosing guidelines or consult a healthcare provider.
Side Effects:
Common side effects of cetirizine include headache, dry mouth, dizziness, and fatigue. Although it is less sedating than older antihistamines, drowsiness may still occur in some individuals. Gastrointestinal upset such as nausea or abdominal pain can also occur. Rarely, cetirizine may cause allergic reactions, palpitations, or liver enzyme abnormalities. Children may occasionally experience restlessness or irritability instead of drowsiness.
Warnings & Precautions:
Caution is advised when using cetirizine in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, as dosage adjustment may be necessary. Although it is less sedating, patients should be warned about potential drowsiness, especially when operating machinery or driving. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to sedative effects. In children, cetirizine may sometimes cause paradoxical excitation. Long-term use should be monitored to avoid masking symptoms of more serious conditions.
Pregnancy & Lactation:
Cetirizine is classified as a pregnancy category B drug, meaning that animal studies have not demonstrated a risk to the fetus, but there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy when clearly needed, especially after the first trimester. However, it should be used with caution and under medical supervision. Minimal data suggest low risk of teratogenic effects, but the benefit-risk ratio should always be assessed.
Drug Interactions:
Cetirizine has a relatively low potential for drug interactions. However, concurrent use with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants may enhance sedative effects. It may also interact mildly with theophylline, as theophylline can reduce cetirizine clearance. Co-administration with ritonavir may increase cetirizine levels and enhance the risk of side effects. Care should be taken when combining cetirizine with other medications that cause drowsiness
Contraindications:
Cetirizine is contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to cetirizine, hydroxyzine, or any component of the formulation. It is also contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <10 mL/min) due to the risk of accumulation and toxicity. Patients with galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption should avoid cetirizine syrup containing sorbitol or lactose.
Price: Ksh 300
Notes:
Pharmacological action
Cetirizine is a potent and highly selective peripheral h1-receptor antagonist. Cetirizine is a potent histamine h1-recptor antagonist with anticholinergic properties. Cetirizine is the only anti histamine known to possess activity against both histamine mediated early phase of the allergic reaction and late phase of allergic reaction which is characterized by migration of inflammatory cells to the site of reaction.
Antihistamine activity
The wheal and flare response to intracutaneously injected histamine is suppressed by cetirizine after a single 10mg dose. Inhibition occurs as early as 2 hours, after administration peak effect at 4-8hours with duration of activity up to 24 hours. Cetirizine significantly alleviated the symptoms of sneezing, nasal pruritus, rhinorrhea,conjuctivies and nasal congestion. Cetirizine is similar in activity to terfinadine 60mg or chlorpheniramine 8mg (administered twice daily) and superior to astemizole 10mg o.d cetirizine (10-20mg) significantly alleviated the symptoms of nasal discharge, sneezing, rhinorrhea and mucosal pruritis.
Antiallergic activity
Cetirizine significantly inhibits the cutaneous wheal and flare reaction with allergen, compounds 48/80 methaudine.
Cetirizine provides protection in patients with allergic conjunctivitis by increasing the cojuctival reaction threshold inhibits both redness and itching of the eye.
Cetirizine is able to prevent the exacerbation of asthma induced by grass pollen. In addition to adose dependent protective efficacy against histamine challenge (bronchospasm) significant bronchodilation occurs in the absence of challenge.
Receptor selectivity
Peripheral inhibition of histamine reactivity each intense and quicker for cetirizine than terfinadine. This is because of its greater selectivity.
Cadila healthcare limited, sarjhej-bavla N.H. No. 8A, Moroiya, Tal; Sanand, Dist: Ahmedabad 382 210, India.