It works against the production of histamine, and belongs to as class of medications called antihistamines. Cetirizine is available under the following different brand names: Zyrtec, Zyrtec Allergy, Children’s Zyrtec Allergy, Children’s Zyrtec Hives Relief, PediaCare Children’s 24 Hour Allergy, Aller-Tec, and Wal-Zyr.
What class of medication is Zyrtec?
Cetirizine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms. Cetirizine is also available in combination with pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, others).
Is Zyrtec an immunosuppressive drug?
Because Zyrtec is not a corticosteroid or immunosuppressant medication, the continual nature of the prescription does not elevate the disability picture to a rating higher than 10 percent.
Are there different types of Zyrtec?
Zyrtec is the brand name for cetirizine. It is available as an oral syrup, orally disintegrating (ODT) tablet and oral tablet.
What kind of allergies does Zyrtec help?
What Conditions does Zyrtec Treat?
- inflammation of the nose due to an allergy.
- non-seasonal allergic stuffy and runny nose.
- seasonal runny nose.
- persistent hives of unknown cause.
- a type of allergy that causes red and itchy skin called atopic dermatitis.
- hives.
- allergic conjunctivitis.
Is it OK to take Zyrtec everyday?
Can be taken once a day. May be given daily on a regular basis when allergens are most prevalent (such as during spring or summer). Zyrtec does not appear to interact with many drugs (theophylline slightly decreased the clearance of Zyrtec). Zyrtec has been demonstrated to be safe in children older than 6 months.
Is it better to take Zyrtec at night or in the morning?
Cetirizine can be taken at any time of the day. In most people it is non-sedating, so they take it in the morning. However, a percentage of people do find it to be sedating so if it does make you drowsy it is best to take it in the evening. Cetirizine can be taken with or without food.
Do allergies weaken your immune system?
However, if you do have ongoing allergies and they aren’t treated effectively, it could weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to viruses and other germs. That, in turn, could enable your uncontrolled allergies to evolve into a sinus, ear, or upper respiratory infection.
Do antihistamines weaken immune system?
Most anti-allergy medications do not affect immunity, but it does depend on the medication. Medication such as antihistamines and Montelukast are generally considered safe so you should continue to use these. To the best of our knowledge, there is no reason to think that antihistamines would lower the immune response.
What should you not take with Zyrtec?
Avoid use of alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers as cetirizine can increased the risk of drowsiness. Cetirizine may cause central nervous system depression; avoid activities requiring mental alertness until accustomed to medication.
How quickly does Zyrtec work?
Most people experience at least 24 hours of relief after a single dose. Zyrtec, on the other hand, is fast acting. People who take it may feel relief in as little as one hour. Antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin are designed to calm the histamine reaction your body has when it’s exposed to an allergen.
Can I take 2 Zyrtec a day?
There have been reports of patients taking 15-18 times the recommended dose of Zyrtec (recommended dose is 10 mg) and having some adverse effects (restlessness, irritability, somnolence). Taking two 10mg tablets should not cause you to have any serious problems.
How long does Zyrtec last in your system?
The elimination half-life of Zyrtec is between 8 to 9 hours. It takes approximately 5.5 x elimination half-life for a medicine to be cleared from your system. For Zyrtec this is 5.5 x 9 hours which is about 2 days.
Is Zyrtec better than Claritin?
Zyrtec has a quicker onset of action compared to Claritin and may be more effective than Claritin in reducing allergy symptoms, according to one clinical trial. However, cetirizine, the active ingredient of Zyrtec, has been shown to produce more drowsiness than loratadine.
Is Zyrtec anti inflammatory?
Cetirizine belongs to the second-generation family, so, it is very selective for peripheral H1 receptors, is potent and quickly relieves symptoms, exerts additional anti-allergic/anti-inflammatory effects, and is usually well-tolerated.
What is the strongest allergy medicine?
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Allegra Adult 24-Hour Allergy Relief at Amazon. …
- Best Prescription-Strength: Zyrtec Prescription-Strength Allergy Medicine Tablets at Amazon. …
- Best for Kids: Children’s Zyrtec Allergy Relief Syrup at Amazon. …
- Best Non-Drowsy: Claritin 24-Hour Allergy Reditabs at Amazon.