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Informations
about Cetirizine |
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| What
should my health care professional know before I take
Cetirizine? |
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What
are Cetirizine tablets? |
CETIRIZINE
(Zyrtec®)
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. It is also used to help relieve itching
and hives.
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| What
should my health care professional know before I take
Cetirizine?
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They
need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•liver disease
•kidney disease
•an unusual or allergic reaction to Cetirizine,
other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding |
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How
should I take this medicine? |
Take
Cetirizine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions
on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with
a drink of water. You can take this medicine with
or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals.
Do not take more often than directed. You may need
to take Cetirizine for several days before your symptoms
improve.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional
regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special
care may be needed. Cetirizine has been used in children
as young as 2 years old. |
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If
you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it
is almost time for your next dose, take only that
dose. Do not take double or extra doses. |
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What
drug(s) may interact with Cetirizine? |
Because
Cetirizine can cause drowsiness, other medicines that
also cause drowsiness may increase this effect of
Cetirizine. Some medicines that cause drowsiness are:
•alcohol
•barbiturates such as phenobarbital
•certain antidepressants or tranquilizers (for
example, amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, desipramine,
doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, thioridazine,
trifluoperazine)
•certain narcotics or pain medicines (for example,
codeine, hydrocodone, meperidine, methadone, morphine,
oxycodone, or propoxyphene)
•certain medicines used for anxiety or to help
produce sleep (for example, alprazolam, chloral hydrate,
diazepam, lorazepam, meprobamate)
•certain antihistamines used in cold medicines
(for example, diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine)
Ask your prescriber or health care professional about
other medicines that may increase the effect of Cetirizine.
Tell your prescriber or 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 your medicine works. Check
with your health care professional before stopping
or starting any of your medicines. |
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What
side effects may I notice from taking Cetirizine?
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Serious
side effects to Cetirizine are rare. Side effects
that you should report to your prescriber or health
care professional as soon as possible:
•any unusual effects that are bothersome
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention
(report to your prescriber or health care professional
if they continue or are bothersome):
•diarrhea
•dizziness
•drowsiness
•dry mouth
•fatigue
•headache
•nausea or stomach upset
•sore throat |
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What
should I watch for while taking Cetirizine? |
Tell
your prescriber or 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. |
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Where
can I keep my medicine? |
Keep
out of the reach of children in a container that small
children cannot open.
Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees
C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine
after the expiration date. |
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additional authority and manufacturer information
links about Cetirizine - |
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from Wikipedia.org |
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from MedlinePlus |
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from MedicineNet.com |
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from drugs.com |
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from eMedicineHealth.com |
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