Zyrtec drug information
Posted by admin on April 13, 2008Description
ZYRTEC (cetirizine HCl) is a prescription medicine that treats both indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms, as well as chronic hives. In fact, no other allergy medicine of its kind is approved to treat more allergies than ZYRTEC. And studies show that 1 dose of ZYRTEC works for a full 24 hours. ZYRTEC is also great for the whole family. It’s the first antihistamine approved to treat indoor allergies in infants 6 months and up. And ZYRTEC also comes in other kid-friendly forms, like banana-grape flavored syrup and grape flavored chewable tablets.
Ingredients
Cetirizine hydrochloride, the active component of ZYRTEC® tablets and syrup, is an orally active and selective H1-receptor antagonist. The chemical name is (±) - [2- [4- [ (4- chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl] -1- piperazinyl] ethoxy]acetic acid, dihydrochloride. Cetirizine hydrochloride is a racemic compound with an empirical formula of C21H25ClN2O3•2HCl. The molecular weight is 461.82.
Cetirizine hydrochloride is a white, crystalline powder and is water soluble. ZYRTEC tablets are formulated as white, film-coated, rounded-off rectangular shaped tablets for oral administration and are available in 5 and 10 mg strengths. Inactive ingredients are: lactose; magnesium stearate; povidone; titanium dioxide; hypromellose; polyethylene glycol; and corn starch.
Recommendations
ZYRTEC is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis due to allergens such as ragweed, grass and tree pollens in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Symptoms treated effectively include sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal pruritus, ocular pruritus, tearing, and redness of the eyes.
ZYRTEC is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis due to allergens such as dust mites, animal dander and molds in adults and children 6 months of age and older. Symptoms treated effectively include sneezing, rhinorrhea, postnasal discharge, nasal pruritus, ocular pruritus, and tearing.
ZYRTEC is indicated for the treatment of the uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children 6 months of age and older. It significantly reduces the occurrence, severity, and duration of hives and significantly reduces pruritus.
Precautions
ZYRTEC is contraindicated in those patients with a known hypersensitivity to it or any of its ingredients or hydroxyzine.
ZYRTEC should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Use of ZYRTEC in nursing mothers is not recommended.