Do you also sneeze frequently? Do your eyes get red and itchy? Or do you suddenly have rashes on your skin and start scratching? Allergic conditions like these are really annoying. So today we are going to talk about Cetirizine, a commonly used medicine for allergies.
Simply put, what is Cetirizine?
Cetirizine is a medicine used to treat symptoms of allergies, such as red, itchy eyes, frequent sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, or hives.
When our body has an allergy, a chemical called histamine is produced. This histamine is what causes things like itching and sneezing. So what cetirizine does is block the action of this histamine. This is why we also call this type of medicine an antihistamine .
This medicine may sometimes be prescribed by your doctor for other medical conditions, so if you have any questions, ask your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before you start using cetirizine, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions. This is very important for your safety.
| Situation to be concerned about | Description |
|---|---|
| Kidney disease | If you have any kidney-related condition. |
| Liver disease | If you have any liver-related condition. |
| Other allergies | If you are allergic to cetirizine, hydroxyzine, or any other medicine, food, or preservative. |
| Pregnancy | If you are pregnant or expecting a baby. |
| Breastfeeding | If you are a mother who is breastfeeding your child. |
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine should be taken by mouth with a glass of water. Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time as directed by the doctor. You can take this before or after meals. Do not crush, crush, or chew this capsule . Swallow it whole.
Sometimes you may need to take this medicine for several days to get better. Do not take more than the amount your doctor has prescribed.
If you give this medicine to children...
Doctors recommend this medicine for children over 6 years of age for some selected medical conditions. However, special care should be taken. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to your child, be sure to talk to your doctor about it and seek advice.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine has been prescribed by the doctor for you only. Therefore, never share it with anyone else.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
What are the possible interactions with this medication?
Some things can interact with cetirizine. So, tell your doctor if you are using the following things.
- Alcohol
- Some medications for anxiety or sleep
- Some narcotic medications
- Medicines for colds or other allergies
It is very important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products), as well as if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
You may feel drowsy or dizzy when taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing other activities that require alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.
Especially if you are elderly, avoid getting up suddenly from a sitting position or from bed. Take a few moments to stand up. This will reduce the chance of dizziness and falling.
You may also experience dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water can help. If this problem persists or is severe, talk to your doctor.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like all medicines, cetirizine can cause some side effects, although not everybody gets them.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Allergic reactions | Symptoms such as skin rashes, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. These can be very dangerous. |
| Side effects that are usually not dangerous, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Dizziness | Dizziness |
| Drowsiness | Drowsiness |
| Dry mouth | Dry mouth |
| Tiredness | Fatigue |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything different or unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
How should you store your medicine?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children . It is best to store it at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Do not use any medicine that has passed its expiration date, throw it away.
Take-Home Message
- Cetirizine is a medication that controls allergy symptoms.
- Before taking this medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and any other medications you are taking.
- The medicine may make you feel drowsy. Therefore, be careful when driving or doing hazardous work.
- Do not share the medicine your doctor has prescribed with others.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, go to a hospital immediately.
- If you have any questions about this medicine, don't be afraid to ask your doctor.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න