Properties
What is it?
International Nonproprietary Name - cetirizine Clinical-pharmacological group: Allergology → Histamine H1 receptor blockers → Systemic drugs → Second-generation preparations Composition Dosage form: Oral solution (in the form of oral drops) Composition: 1ml of oral drops contains 10mg of active ingredient – cetirizine hydrochloride; Excipients: glycerin, propylene glycol, sodium saccharinate, sodium acetate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, glacial acetic acid, purified water. Indications - Persistent allergic rhinitis - Seasonal allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis - Pruritic allergic dermatoses - Chronic idiopathic urticaria Dosage and administration Method of administration Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age: Usual dose – 10mg once daily (20 drops), preferably at night. Children aged 6-12 years: Usual daily dose – 5mg (10 drops) twice daily (morning and evening); or 10mg (20 drops) in the evening. Children aged 2-6 years: Usual daily dose – 5mg (10 drops daily). This dose can also be divided into two administrations of 2.5mg (5 drops in the morning and evening). Children aged 1-2 years: 2.5mg (5 drops) twice daily. Elderly patients: For such patients, a dose reduction to 5mg per day is recommended. Patients with renal insufficiency are prescribed half of the recommended dose (5mg per day). When creatinine clearance is < 30 ml/min – 5mg (10 drops) every other day. When creatinine clearance is < 10 ml/min – the drug is not prescribed. Side effects - Dose-dependent sedative effect - Feeling of fatigue - Headache - Dizziness - Dry mouth - Vomiting and other gastrointestinal symptoms - Anxiety (increased motor activity) The intensity of the above-mentioned side effects can be reduced by dividing the daily dose into two administrations. Hypersensitivity reactions (angioedema, rash) occur rarely (< 2%). Contraindications - Hypersensitivity to cetirizine or any component of the preparation. - Breastfeeding, as cetirizine passes into breast milk. The risk of potential side effects in breastfed infants outweighs the possible benefits for the mother, and therefore, cetirizine is not prescribed during lactation. - Childhood age up to 1 year (the safety and efficacy of the drug in this age group have not been confirmed). - Pregnancy is a relative contraindication. Based on experimental studies, it can be confirmed that cetirizine has no teratogenic effect. There are no data from controlled human studies, therefore, the drug is not recommended for pregnant women. - Creatinine clearance < 10 ml/min