Zirtec 7 Tablets Rev 10mg

Zirtec 10 mg film-coated tablets

Why is Zirtec used? What is it for?

Cetirizine dihydrochloride is the active ingredient of Zirtec.

Zirtec is an antiallergic drug.

In adults and children from 6 years of age, Zirtec is indicated:

for the treatment of nasal and ocular symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.
for the treatment of urticaria.

Contraindications When should Zirtec not be used?

Do not take Zirtec

if you have severe kidney disease (severe kidney failure with creatinine clearance below 10ml / min);
if you are allergic to cetirizine dihydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6), hydroxyzine or piperazine derivatives (active substances of other closely related medicines).

Precautions for use What do you need to know before taking Zirtec?

If you are a patient with kidney failure, ask your doctor for advice; if necessary, you should take a lower dose. The new dose will be defined by your doctor.

Ask your doctor for advice if you have problems urinating (in conditions such as spinal cord injuries or bladder or prostate problems).

If you are an epileptic patient or a patient at risk of seizures, you should ask your doctor for advice.

No clinically significant interactions were observed between alcohol (for blood levels of 0.5 per thousand (g / l) corresponding to a glass of wine) and cetirizine used at recommended doses. However, there are no safety data available when higher doses of cetirizine and alcohol are taken at the same time. Therefore, as with all antihistamines, it is recommended to avoid the simultaneous intake of Zirtec with alcohol.

If you are scheduled for an allergy test ask your doctor if you should stop taking Zirtec for a few days before the test. This medicine can alter the results of the allergy test.
Interactions What drugs or foods can change the effect of Zirtec?
Other medicines and Zirtec

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Zirtec with food and drink

Food does not significantly affect the absorption of Zirtec.
Warnings It is important to know that:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Zirtec should be avoided during pregnancy. Accidental use of the drug by a pregnant woman does not produce any harmful effects on the fetus, however the drug should only be taken if necessary and on the advice of a doctor.

Cetirizine passes into breast milk. Therefore you should not take Zirtec if you are breastfeeding unless you have contacted your doctor.
Driving and using machines

Clinical studies did not show impaired attention, alertness and ability to drive after taking Zirtec at the recommended dose. You must carefully observe your response to the drug after taking Zirtec if you intend to drive, engage in potentially hazardous activities or operate machinery. It should not exceed the recommended dose.

Zirtec film-coated tablets contain lactose; if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Dose, Method and Time of Administration How to use Zirtec: Posology

Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The tablets should be taken with a glass of liquid.

The tablet can be divided into 2 equal parts.
Adults and adolescents from 12 years:

10 mg once daily as 1 tablet.
Children between the ages of 6 and 12:

5 mg twice a day as a half tablet twice a day.
Patients with renal impairment

For patients with moderate renal impairment the recommended dose is 5 mg once daily.

If you have severe kidney disease, please contact your doctor or pharmacist who can adjust your dose accordingly.

If your child has kidney disease, contact your doctor or pharmacist who can adjust the dose based on the child's needs.

If you feel that the effect of Zirtec is too weak or too strong, please tell your doctor.
Duration of treatment

The duration of treatment depends on the type, duration and course of your complaints. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
Overdose What to do if you have taken too much Zirtec
If you take more Zirtec than you should

If you think you have taken an overdose of Zirtec please tell your doctor. Your doctor will decide what measures to take if necessary.

After an overdose, the undesirable effects described below may appear with increased intensity. Adverse events such as confusion, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, malaise, pupil dilation, itching, restlessness, sedation, somnolence, stupor, abnormal rapid heart rhythm, tremors and urinary retention have been reported.
If you forget to take Zirtec

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Side Effects What are the side effects of Zirtec?

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects are rare or very rare. However, you should stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you notice:

Allergic reactions, including severe reactions and angioedema (severe allergic reaction causing swelling of the face or throat).

These reactions can occur soon after taking the medicine or later.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients)

Drowsiness
Dizziness, headache
Pharyngitis, rhinitis (in children)
Diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth
Fatigue

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 patients)

Agitation
Paresthesia (abnormal sensitivity of the skin)
Abdominal pain
Itching (itchy skin), rash
Asthenia (extreme fatigue), malaise

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1000 patients)

Allergic reactions, some severe (very rare)
Depression, hallucinations, aggression, confusion, insomnia
Convulsions
Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
Abnormal liver function
Urticaria
Edema (swelling)
Weight gain

Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 patients)

Thrombocytopenia (low level of platelets in the blood)
Tic (habitual spasm)
Syncope, dyskinesia (involuntary movements), dystonia (abnormal prolonged muscle contractions), tremor, dysgeusia (taste disturbance)
Blurred vision, accommodation disorder (difficulty focusing), oculogyration (eyes with uncontrolled circulatory movements)
Angioedema (severe allergic reaction causing swelling of the face or throat), fixed drug eruption
Abnormal urine output (involuntary emptying of the bladder during sleep at night, pain and / or difficulty urinating)

Undesirable effects with frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

Increased appetite
Suicidal ideation (recurrent suicidal worries or thoughts)
Amnesia, memory impairment
Vertigo (sensation of rotation or movement)
Urinary retention (inability to completely empty the bladder)

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
Expiry and Retention

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Composition and pharmaceutical form
What Zirtec contains

The active ingredient is cetirizine dihydrochloride. One film-coated tablet contains 10 mg of cetirizine dihydrochloride.
The other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, anhydrous colloidal silica, magnesium stearate, Opadry Y-1-7000 (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (E464), titanium dioxide (E 171), macrogol 400).