Cetirizine for allergies

About cetirizine

Cetirizine belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines - it is an anti-allergy medicine. It stops the effects of a naturally occurring substance called histamine and this helps to relieve the symptoms of allergies such as hay fever and urticaria.

Der Kontakt mit Stoffen wie Pollen, Tierhaaren, Hausstaub oder Insektenstichen kann dazu führen, dass Ihr Körper allergische Symptome entwickelt . Die Zellen in der Nasen- und Augenschleimhaut setzen Histamin frei, wenn sie mit diesen Stoffen in Berührung kommen. Dies führt zu Entzündungen in Nase und Augen, die Symptome wie Niesen und tränende Augen hervorrufen.

Urtikaria ist ein Zustand, bei dem sich ein juckender Hautausschlag entwickelt. Der Ausschlag kann durch eine Allergie gegen eine Substanz wie eine Seife oder ein Reinigungsmittel ausgelöst werden.

Cetirizine can be prescribed for you by a doctor or dentist, or you can buy it without a prescription at pharmacies and other retail outlets. Tablet and capsule formulations are generally suitable for adults and older children, whereas oral liquid medicine is available for younger children. Cetirizine is not suitable for children under 2 years of age.

Before taking cetirizine

To make sure that this is the right treatment for you (or your child), before you (or they) start taking cetirizine it is important that you discuss the treatment with a doctor or pharmacist if:

• Sie sind schwanger, versuchen ein Baby zu bekommen oder stillen.

• You/they have any kidney problems. If so, the recommended dose will be reduced.

• You/they have epilepsy.

• You/they have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria.

• You/they are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines being taken which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• You/they have ever had an allergic reaction to another antihistamine, or to any other medicine.

How to take cetirizine

• Before starting the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about cetirizine, and it will also provide you with a full list of side-effects which could be experienced from taking it.

• Recommended doses of cetirizine are:
  

  • For adults and for children aged over 12 years: 10 mg taken once a day.

  • For children aged 6-11 years: 5 mg taken twice daily.

  • For children aged 2-5 years: 2.5 mg taken twice daily.

• If you are giving cetirizine liquid medicine to a child, make sure you follow the dosing instructions on the bottle carefully so that you measure out the correct dose for the age of your child.

• You can take cetirizine either with or without food. Some people find it helps to swallow the tablets or capsules with a drink of water.

• If you forget to take a dose, don't worry, just take the next dose when it is needed and then continue as before. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

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• Most people only need to take an antihistamine for a short while when they have symptoms. You should stop taking cetirizine once your symptoms have eased.

• Although cetirizine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, it can still cause drowsiness in a few people. If you are affected by drowsiness, do not drive, do not use a bicycle, and do not use tools or machines.

• If you drink alcohol while you are on cetirizine, be aware of its effects on you and do not drink more than moderate amounts. Alcohol can increase the risk of side-effects from antihistamines.

• Wenn Sie sich einer Operation, einer Behandlung oder einer Untersuchung unterziehen müssen (insbesondere, wenn es sich um einen Allergietest handelt), sollten Sie unbedingt angeben, dass Sie ein Antihistaminikum einnehmen.

• Wenn Sie rezeptfreie Arzneimittel kaufen, erkundigen Sie sich beim Apotheker, ob sie für die Einnahme von Antihistaminika geeignet sind. Denn eine Reihe von anderen Medikamenten kann das Risiko von Nebenwirkungen erhöhen.

Can cetirizine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the more common ones associated with cetirizine. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to cetirizine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store cetirizine

• Bewahren Sie alle Arzneimittel außerhalb der Reichweite und Sichtweite von Kindern auf.

• An einem kühlen, trockenen Ort aufbewahren, vor direkter Hitze und Licht schützen.

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