Algetec Tablets (Cetirizine Hydrochloride)

Adult dosage

Adults and children aged 6 years and older should take 10 mg of cetirizine hydrochloride orally once a day before bedtime. Patients who are sensitive to side effects may take 5 mg divided into morning and evening doses. Adjustments should be made according to age and symptoms. In patients with renal impairment, the dosing interval should be adjusted according to the patient’s renal function, and the dosage should be adjusted based on creatinine clearance. When creatinine clearance is 80 or higher, the daily dose is 1.

Children's dosage

Children aged 6 years and older should take 10 mg orally once a day before bedtime, the same as adults. In pediatric patients with renal impairment, the dosage should be adjusted individually considering the patient's creatinine clearance and body weight.

This medication should not be taken by individuals who have had allergic reactions to this drug, hydroxyzine, or piperazine derivatives. Patients with very impaired renal function, specifically those with a creatinine clearance of less than 10 mL/min, should not use this drug. Children under 6 years of age should not be given this medication. This drug contains lactose and should not be administered to patients with hereditary issues such as lactose intolerance, galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption. Certain medications should not be taken concurrently with this drug. For example, co-administration with theophylline may slightly reduce the drug's excretion. Furthermore, when taken with ritonavir, the degree of exposure to this drug may increase, so caution is required. As with other antihistamines, it is advisable to avoid excessive alcohol consumption while taking this medication. Alcohol may significantly increase drowsiness or impaired concentration when taken with this drug. Patients with kidney or liver issues and the elderly should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking this drug. Particularly in older adults, due to decreased renal function, the drug may remain in the body longer, increasing the risk of side effects; thus, starting at a lower dose and monitoring the condition is recommended. Individuals with epilepsy or those at risk of seizures should also consult a specialist before taking this medication. This drug may worsen conditions where urination is already an issue; therefore, patients with urinary problems such as spinal cord injury or benign prostatic hyperplasia should exercise caution. Pregnant women should be careful when taking this medication, and breastfeeding women should also consult a specialist as it may affect the baby. If any unusual symptoms such as confusion, severe drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, rash, or difficulty breathing occur while taking this medication, discontinue use immediately and consult a doctor. In case of overdose, central nervous system disturbances or anticholinergic symptoms may occur, requiring prompt treatment. It is recommended to discontinue this medication 3-5 days before an allergy test. Caution should be exercised when driving or operating machinery; taking with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants may significantly increase drowsiness or impaired concentration. Finally, store this medication out of the reach of children, and it is safest to keep it in its original container.

Serious side effects

Hives, severe swelling (edema), chest tightness, difficulty breathing, cold sweat, pallor, severe rash with fever, blisters, skin peeling, pain in mucous membranes of mouth/eyes, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, respiratory abnormalities associated with cough + fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), extreme lethargy, sudden and severe headaches, lightning headaches, seizures, confusion, vision abnormalities, paralysis, urination.

Mild side effects

• Confusion
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• fatigue
• headache
• lethargy
• pupil dilation
• itching
• anxiety
• sedation

Drug interactions

Do not take this medication with theophylline or ritonavir.

Food interactions

Do not take this medication with excessive alcohol.

This medication may be sensitive to air or moisture; hence, it should be stored in a tightly sealed container. Additionally, to maintain the medication's efficacy, it is recommended to store it at a temperature between 1 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Appearance

For domestic use: white, rectangular film-coated tablet; for export: white, oval film-coated tablet.

Package unit

10 tablets/PPT, 100 tablets/PPT [10 tablets/PPT X10]