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| Cetirizine Hydrochloride |
As the prevalence of allergies rises worldwide, many people are seeking
effective relief from symptoms caused by allergic reactions. One medication
that has proven highly effective is cetirizine hydrochloride.
What is Cetirizine Hydrochloride?
Cetirizine hydrochloride is a prescription and over-the-counter medication used
to treat sneezing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, hives, and other symptoms
caused by allergies and the common cold. Its generic name is cetirizine and its
chemical name is (2--1-piperazinyl]ethoxy)acetic acid dihydrochloride. It is
available both in oral tablet and liquid forms.
Cetirizine hydrochloride was developed and patented by UCB in 1984 and
initially marketed exclusively for prescription use under the brand name
Zyrtec. It is now widely available as a generic medication as well as in some
countries as an over-the-counter drug.
How Does It Work?
Cetirizine hydrochloride belongs to a class of medications known as
second-generation antihistamines. It works by blocking histamine receptors,
which are involved in the allergic reaction process. When an allergen like
pollen, mold, dust or pet dander is inhaled or comes into contact with the
skin, the body produces histamine. Histamine causes symptoms by binding to
histamine receptors on cells.
By blocking these histamine receptors, Cetirizine
Hydrochloride prevents the effects of histamine from manifesting as
symptoms. It is a highly selective antagonist of peripheral H1 receptor sites.
This means it only binds to and blocks peripheral H1 receptors involved in
producing allergy symptoms, without having significant effects on the central
nervous system.
Uses and Benefits
Due to its effectiveness and safety profile, cetirizine hydrochloride has
become a popular treatment option for many allergic conditions:
Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: Also known as hay fever, it affects up to 30% of
people worldwide. Taking cetirizine hydrochloride during pollen seasons
provides relief from sneezing, congestion, runny nose and itchy eyes.
Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: Caused by indoor allergens like dust mites, mold and
pet dander. Taking cetirizine daily can help control constant allergy symptoms
throughout the year.
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria: A type of hives that lasts more than six weeks.
It relieves itching caused by hives.
Other Uses: It may also offer relief for allergic conjunctivitis, dermatitis,
angioedema and pain caused by insect bites or stings.
Cetirizine has the advantage of being non-drowsy compared to older
antihistamines. This allows people to continue with their daily activities
without impaired performance. It has a rapid onset of action of 30 minutes and
provides 24 hours of continuous symptom relief with just one daily dose.
Safety and Side Effects
Cetirizine hydrochloride is generally well-tolerated. Common mild side effects
may include sleepiness, headache, dry mouth and fatigue. These tend to be
short-lived and diminish over time. It does not cause anticholinergic side
effects like blurred vision, urinary retention and constipation seen with older
antihistamines.
Long-term studies indicate cetirizine is safe to use indefinitely for allergic
conditions without significant health risks. However, as with any medication,
precautions should be followed such as informing the doctor about medical
conditions and other medications being taken. Safety in young children and
pregnant/breastfeeding women requires consultation with a pediatrician or
obstetrician.
Effectiveness in Clinical Studies
Numerous randomized controlled trials have established cetirizine as an
effective treatment for allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Some key findings include:
- In patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, cetirizine significantly
relieved nasal and non-nasal symptoms compared to placebo.
- For perennial allergic rhinitis, one study found cetirizine at 5-10 mg/day
significantly improved congestion, sneezing and runny nose more than the
antihistamine loratadine.
- In chronic idiopathic urticaria, cetirizine was shown to be statistically
superior to placebo and comparable to other H1 antihistamines in reducing
itching and hives.
- Minimal side effects and lack of cognitive impairment give it advantages over
sedating older antihistamines.
These confirm cetirizine hydrochloride provides effective relief for multiple
allergic conditions and represents a good first-line treatment choice,
especially when non-drowsiness is important.
Availability and Dosing
Cetirizine hydrochloride is widely available both by prescription and
over-the-counter without a prescription. It comes as 2 mg/5 mg oral tablets for
children ages 6-11 years and 5 mg/10 mg tablets for those 12 years and older.
Liquid formulations are also available.
The standard recommended dosage for adults and children over 6 years is 10 mg
once daily, usually taken in the morning. This dosage has been shown to provide
full symptom relief for 24 hours in most patients. For extra-strength relief,
some formulations allow splitting the tablet or increasing the dose to 20
mg/day.
cetirizine hydrochloride has clearly established itself as an effective and
safe treatment option for various allergic conditions due to its rapid symptom
relief, 24-hour coverage and side effect profile. With availability both by
prescription and OTC, it should be considered as a frontline medication for
seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, chronic hives and other allergic
reactions. Its non-sedating properties also make it suitable for daytime use.
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