Cetirizine Hydrochloride (Zetrizine)

Adult dose

Adults: Administer 10 mg of cetirizine hydrochloride orally once daily before bedtime. For patients sensitive to adverse effects, it may be divided into two doses of 5 mg each in the morning and evening. The dosing interval and amount should be adjusted based on the patient's kidney function. Dosage varies depending on creatinine clearance: - Normal (≥80 mL/min): 10 mg once daily - Mild (50–79 mL/min): 10 mg once daily

Child dose

Children over 6 years: Administer 10 mg of cetirizine hydrochloride orally once daily before bedtime. In pediatric patients with renal impairment, the dose should be adjusted individually based on kidney clearance rate and weight.

This medication should not be taken by individuals who have an allergic reaction to specific ingredients or have had hypersensitivity to hydroxizine or piperazine drugs in the past. It is advisable not to use this medication for patients with severely impaired kidney function or children under 6 years old. This medication contains lactose, so individuals with genetic disorders such as lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take it. It is advisable to avoid taking this medication with certain drugs, such as theophylline or ritonavir, as it may affect the drug's efficacy or concentration. Additionally, this medication may increase the risk of side effects when taken with alcohol, so it is important to limit alcohol consumption. Patients with kidney or liver problems, elderly individuals, epilepsy patients, or those with urinary retention issues should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication. Pregnant women should be cautious and consult a professional before taking this medication, although there is no clear evidence of risk to the fetus. Breastfeeding women need to be careful as this medication may be secreted into breast milk and affect the baby. If severe drowsiness, headaches, itching, rashes, or urinary problems occur while taking this medication, it should be discontinued immediately, and medical advice sought. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery, as this medication may cause drowsiness or impair concentration. It is recommended to discontinue this medication for a few days before allergy testing to obtain accurate test results. Finally, this medication should be stored out of reach of children and kept in its original container to maintain safety and efficacy.

Serious side effects

• Hives, severe swelling (edema), hypersensitivity shock, angioedema.
• Severe rash with high fever, blistering, and skin peeling.
• Painful mucous membranes in the mouth/eyes.
• Severe skin reactions.
• Chest tightness, difficulty breathing, asthma attack, respiratory distress accompanied by coughing and fever.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), extreme lethargy.
• Liver abnormalities (jaundice).
• Sudden and severe headache, thunderclap headache, seizures, altered consciousness, visual disturbances.

Mild side effects

• Drowsiness
• headache
• fatigue
• numbness
• weakness
• restlessness
• paresthesia
• lethargy
• tiredness
• dizziness

This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container to prevent air and moisture from entering, and should be kept at room temperature between 1 to 30 degrees Celsius. Proper storage helps to maintain the medication's effectiveness.

Appearance

White round film-coated tablets

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 500 tablets/bottle, 10 tablets/PTP