Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Tablets
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Product Information at a Glance
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredient | Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg |
| Type of Medicine | Antihistamine |
| Use | Allergy & hay fever relief |
| Dosage | Once daily |
| Age Suitability | 6 years+ |
| Available Pack Sizes | Various (please see options) |
What is Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg?
Antihistamines are used to treat allergy symptoms such as hay fever, hives, insect bites or conjunctivitis. They are available in various dosage forms such as tablets, nasal sprays or eye drops.
There are many types of antihistamines and they are broadly categorised into those that make you sleepy and those that are less likely to. One such antihistamine is called cetirizine, available as 10mg tablets and are relatively non-drowsy.
Each tablet contains 10mg and is available for adults and children aged 6 and above. Cetirizine tablets are classified as general sales medicine (GSL) and can be purchased without needing to interact with a healthcare provider.
Whilst easily accessible, it is still encouraged to seek advice from a healthcare professional who is optimally placed to provide information about the tablets. They can also check if the medication is safe for you based on your health history.
What is Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Used For?
Common Conditions Treated
Cetirizine can be used to treat hay fever. Characterised by symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose and itchy or watery eyes, hay fever cannot be cured but can be controlled by allergy tablets, syrups and sprays.
It can also be used for other allergic reactions such as hives (urticaria) or allergies to dust, mould or pet hair.
How Does Cetirizine Work?
To understand how antihistamines work, its important to first know about histamine. Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical produced by the immune system and is essentially the 'security guard' of the body. Histamine helps your body get rid of something that's bothering it, i.e. an allergen.
When this security system overreacts, it can lead to all the familiar allergy symptoms, such as in hay fever. The problem is, for some individuals, this overreaction could be caused by relatively harmless triggers such as dust or pollen.
Cetirizine, as an antihistamine, blocks the action of histamine, preventing symptoms of hay fever and mild allergic reactions. Importantly, the antihistamine must be taken before exposure to the allergen for optimal benefit though if taken after exposure, may reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Who Can Take Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Tablets?
Recommended Age Groups
Cetirizine tablets are licensed to treat hay fever and other allergy symptoms in adults and children aged 6 and over.
The tablets are not recommended in children under 6 years as it does not allow the necessary dosage adjustments. For this age group, the liquid formulation is more appropriate.
Who Should Not Take This Medicine?
Whilst a commonly used antihistamine, cetirizine is not suitable for everyone.
Cetirizine is removed from the body through the kidneys. Anyone with kidney problems may need to have a dosage adjustment. In the case of severe kidney problems, it might not be suitable at all.
Other individuals who should not take cetirizine include:
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Individuals allergic to cetirizine or any other antihistamine
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Individuals who are allergic to any of the excipients - cetirizine tablets contain lactose. Those who have a lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption, should not take this medicine.
For pregnant and/or breastfeeding individuals, the risk cannot be ruled out so its best to talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
How to Take Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Tablets
Recommended Dose
The standard dose for cetirizine varies between patients:
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Patients over 12 take a single dose of 10mg (one tablet) once daily. This needs to be swallowed whole with a glass of water
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Children between 6-11 years take a smaller dose of 5mg, which is half a tablet twice daily.
The dosage may need to be adjusted for individuals with underlying health conditions. Patients with kidney issues may require a reduced dose or, based on the severity might not be able to take cetirizine altogether.
For elderly patients, a dosage adjustment is not usually required unless they also have underlying kidney problems.
Always take the medicine as per the instructions on the packaging or in the patient information leaflet. If you have any medical conditions or are giving the medicine to a child, its best to check with a healthcare professional first.
Tips for Taking Cetirizine Safely
The tablets should be taken with water, preferably at the same time each day to help you remember. You can take the medicine with or without food. For hay fever, it is recommended to take the tablets throughout the hay fever season.
In the case of a missed dose, take it as soon as you remember unless its time for your next dose. Do not double up to make up for a missed dose.
Possible Side Effects of Cetirizine Hydrochloride
Serious Side Effects – When to Contact Your Doctor
Serious side effects are rare with cetirizine, however, it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Signs include:
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Swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue.
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Breathing very fast/struggling to breathe
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Difficulty swallowing
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Skin, tongue or lips turn blue/pale
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Severe dizziness or confusion
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A child is limp or not responding
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop taking the medicine and call 999.
Patients who suffer from conditions that cause urinary retention should exercise caution as cetirizine can possibly increase this risk.
Reducing the Risk of Side Effects
Always follow the dosage instructions carefully - taking more tablets won't relieve your symptoms faster but may increase the risk of side effects.
There are a few things you can do to reduce this risk such as avoiding alcohol, as it can increase the risk of drowsiness or dizziness.
If you're unsure about interactions with other medicines or health conditions, its important to check with your pharmacist before you start taking the tablets.
Common Side Effects
Like all medicines, cetirizine can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Whilst it is a relatively non-drowsy antihistamine, there is still a risk of drowsiness with the medicine.
Other common side effects include headaches, a dry mouth and dizziness. Side effects such as diarrhoea, sneezing and a blocked or runny nose are more common in children than adults.
Important Safety Information
Interactions with Other Medicines
Although cetirizine has relatively few interactions, it is advisable to avoid using it alongside other antihistamine tablets. Due to the potential for drowsiness, cetirizine should also not be used alongside other medicines that have sedative side effects.
Additionally, for patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) - a class of antidepressant not commonly prescribed - there may be a risk of interaction with cetirizine tablets.
Storage and Disposal
Like most tablets, keep cetirizine out of the sight and reach of children. Store them in a cool, dry place below 25°, and keep them away from direct light.
Do not use the tablets after the expiry date shown on the packaging. If you have any unused or expired tablets, return them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.
Precautions Before Taking
Before taking cetirizine tablets, its important to ensure they will be safe for you. Whilst a generally safe treatment, if you have kidney problems, take other medicine or have underlying health conditions, its important to discuss with a healthcare professional before you start the treatment.
Similarly, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, a healthcare professional is optimally placed to discuss whether the tablets would be safe for you.
Why Buy Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Tablets from Quick Meds?
Trusted UK Pharmacy
Buying cetirizine tablets from Quick Meds offers a safe, convenient and reliable way to obtain trusted allergy relief. As a GPhC regulated pharmacy, registered in the United Kingdom, you can trust that all medicines are genuine and sourced responsibly.
All medicine is delivered quickly and securely to your door with discreet packaging for your privacy and can be delivered to most United Kingdom based addresses as soon as next-day.
Quick Meds provides access to trained pharmacists who can answer any questions you may have, ensuring cetirizine tablets are right for you.
Whilst they can be bought over the counter from supermarkets and other outlets, this option misses out the important interaction with a healthcare professional who can provide advice on making the most of your treatment.
FAQs
Can I take cetirizine with alcohol?
Whilst you can take the tablets with alcohol without any significant interactions, caution should be exercised. Ideally, you should not drink alongside the treatment, due to the added drowsiness effect.
Can I take cetirizine every day?
Whilst you can safely take the tablets every day, we would urge patients to only take as long as needed.
In some cases, halting treatment after taking for a long time may lead to itching/hives - even if those symptoms were not initially present.
How quickly does cetirizine work?
Cetirizine typically reaches its peak concentration in the body within one hour, and you should begin to notice relief around this time.
Can children take cetirizine hydrochloride 10mg?
Children over 6 can take the tablets at a dose of half a tablet twice a day. Children under 6 should not take the tablets and can benefit from a liquid formulation.
What if I accidentally take more than the recommended dose?
Ensure to take the tablets exactly as advised on the packaging or by your pharmacist. If you accidentally take too much, this may lead to an increased risk of side effects, particularly if a large amount is taken accidentally.
Contact your healthcare provider or call 111 if you need further advice.
Is cetirizine the same as other hay fever tablets?
Cetirizine is similar to other antihistamines such as loratadine and fexofenadine in that they are less likely to make you feel sleepy. Additionally, all of these tablets are taken as a dose of one tablet daily.
Other antihistamines such as chlorphenamine and promethazine differ in that they are more likely to make you drowsy. These are generally taken as more than one tablet daily.