Cetirizine Dihydrochloride
Indications
Cetirizine Dihydrochloride is used for:
Allergic rhinitis,
Hay fever,
Urticaria,
Allergies
Adult Dose
Oral:
Allergic conditions
Adult: 10 mg once daily or 5 mg b.i.d.
Elderly: Initially, 5 mg once daily.
Hepatic impairment: Initially, 5 mg once daily.
Syrup:
Adults: 2 teaspoon once daily or 1 teaspoon twice daily.
Child Dose
Oral
Allergic conditions
Child:
6-23 mth 2.5 mg once daily increased to max of 2.5 mg bid in childn >12 mth;
2-5 yr 5 mg once daily or in 2 divided doses;
>6 yr 10 mg once daily or in 2 divided doses.
Syrup:
Children over 6 years: 2 teaspoon once daily or 1 teaspoon twice daily.
Children 2-6 years: 1 teaspoonful once daily or 1/2 teaspoon twice daily.
<2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
Renal Dose
Renal impairment
GFR >50 mL/min: Dose adjustment not necessary
GFR ? 50 mL/min: 5 mg PO qDay
Peritoneal dialysis: 5 mg PO qDay
Intermittent hemodialysis: 5 mg PO qDay; may also administer 3 times weekly
Administration
Can be taken with or without food.
Contra Indications
Lactation,
Hypersensitivity
Precautions
Hepatic or renal impairment;
Elderly;
Pregnancy;
Lactation: Excreted in breast milk; use not recommended;
Tasks requiring mental alertness eg, driving or operating heavy machinery;
Pregnancy-Lactation
Pregnancy
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women
Lactation
Cetirizine has been reported to be present in human breast milk
In mice and beagle dogs, studies indicated that cetirizine was excreted in milk
When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely it will be present in human milk
Interactions
Additive CNS depression when administered concomitantly w/ other CNS depressants (e.g. sedatives, tranquilisers).
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Cetirizine Dihydrochloride :
>10%
Somnolence (2-14%), Headache (11-14%)
1-10%
Fatigue (5.9%), Dry mouth (5%), Dizziness (2%), Diarrhea (2-3%), Malaise (4%), Bronchospasm (2-3%), Vomiting (2-3%), Epistaxis (2-4%)
<1%
Stomach pain, Drowsiness, Angioedema, Fussiness, Hallucinations, Hypotension, Tremor, Tongue discoloration
Mechanism of Action
Cetirizine is a potent and highly selective antagonist of the peripheral histamine H1-receptor on effector cells in the GI tract, blood vessels and resp tract.