Canadian pharmacy buying guide: drug characteristics, uses and benefits, side effects and interactions, and links for further information about buying discount drugs online from Canada.

Zyrtec Consumer Information

ZYRTEC

Generic Name: cetirizine (se TEER i zeen)

Brand Names: Zyrtec

What is the most important information I should know about cetirizine?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Cetirizine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking cetirizine.

What is cetirizine?

• Cetirizine is an antihistamine. Antihistamines prevent sneezing, runny nose, itching and watering of the eyes, and other allergic symptoms.
• Cetirizine is used to treat allergies, hives (urticaria), and other allergic inflammatory conditions.
• Cetirizine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take cetirizine?

• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy with cetirizine.
• Cetirizine is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take cetirizine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Cetirizine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take cetirizine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from cetirizine. You may require a lower dose of this medication.

How should I take cetirizine?

• Take cetirizine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Cetirizine can be taken with or without food.
• Cetirizine is usually taken once daily. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• Store cetirizine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a cetirizine overdose are not well known, but extreme sleepiness, confusion, and weakness may be expected.

What should I avoid while taking cetirizine?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Cetirizine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking cetirizine.

What are the possible side effects of cetirizine?

• Stop taking cetirizine and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take cetirizine and talk to your doctor if you experience
• sleepiness, fatigue, or dizziness;
• headache; or
• dry mouth.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect cetirizine?

• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
• medications for anxiety or sleep such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion);
• medications for depression such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or paroxetine (Paxil);
• other cough, cold, or allergy medicines; or
• any other medications that cause drowsiness, sleepiness, or relaxation.
• Heavy sedation may occur if cetirizine is taken with any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with cetirizine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about cetirizine written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 3.02. Revision Date: 2/14/03.