More and more people suffer from allergic reactions. Both adults and children are susceptible to the disease. Moreover, the problem can be not only congenital, but also acquired. An allergy is a non-specific response of the immune system to an irritant. It can take place in a variety of forms. The consequences can also be very different: from a common cold to Quincke's edema. But if earlier pills that caused side effects were used to treat the problem, now they are releasing new generation drugs that do not have such an effect on the body. These include the drug "Zirtek", the instructions for use for which clarifies that its use is possible even in infancy. The main thing is to choose the right release form and dosage.
Choicefunds
If a person suffers from manifestations of an allergic reaction, he should always have drugs in his home medicine cabinet that can prevent the development of dangerous symptoms. Doctors recommend that parents of young children acquire such funds. After all, sometimes unusual food or any other factor can cause redness on the baby's cheeks. Increasingly, the choice falls on Zirtek. Instructions for use states that the medicine is suitable for the treatment of manifestations of all forms of allergies in adults and children.
It is important that if the problem already exists, then the drug is able to protect against the development of dangerous complications. However, doctors recommend choosing a medicine based on their recommendations. Among allergy sufferers, Zyrtec is a very popular remedy, and experts usually approve of this choice. The great advantage of the remedy is that it can be given to babies.
Issue Forms
Only two forms of release has a drug - tablets and drops for oral administration. On the official website of the company, another spray is presented, but so far it is not available in Russia. They do not release the drug in the form of a cream.
The instructions for use for Zirtek clearly state that the principle of action, that the drug is in the form of a drop, that in tablets is exactly the same. It should be borne in mind that in liquid form the medicine is convenient to give to children, and tablets are more suitable for adults.
Pills. They have a milky hue and an oblong shape. It is known that one pill contains 10 mg of the active ingredient - cetirizine.
Drops - colorless transparent solution. The instructions for use for Zirtek say that they were developed specifically for children, and they have a sweetish taste and aroma of acetic acid. At the same time, flavors and alcohol are completely absent in the composition, so the medicine can be given even to infants. It is convenient to use the drug with the included dispenser.
It is important that Zyrtec drops should be taken only inside through the mouth. In the nose, instructions for use do not provide for their use.
What problems does
In medical practice, the drug is used to solve allergy problems. It works like this:
- eliminates the symptoms of hay fever - runny nose, sneezing;
- relieves various dermatoses.
The medicine is intended for the treatment of drug or food allergies. It has been recorded that the remedy is effective against any irritants that cause an allergic reaction. These can be the following types of allergens:
- plant pollen;
- animal wool;
- particles of household chemicals;
- drugs;
- dust.
Zyrtec is recommended for treating insect bites and if the irritant has caused a severe allergic reaction and angioedema.
Dermatologists recommend using the drug in the complex treatment of atopic dermatitis. It is also prescribed in case of bronchial asthma. The medicine is popular and haswide scope, because it does not depress the nervous system, if strictly adhere to the recommended dosage.
How the drug works
In the human body, histamine can be transformed into the bloodstream, causing an allergic reaction. It is this biological substance that is responsible for triggering negative manifestations on the stimulus. In its active form, histamine can cause spasms of smooth muscle muscles and promote the release of adrenaline and secretion. In addition, the substance has an effect on cardiac activity, provokes edema. Blood pressure may drop and headaches may occur.
It is the neutralization of histamine that the action of the drug "Zirtek" is directed to. The instructions for use suggest that it effectively fights allergy manifestations, because it eliminates the effects of histamine activity.
What it consists of
The drug is classified as a new generation of antihistamines that do not have side effects such as drowsiness and do not affect the patient's ability to control various mechanisms. One of the most popular means of this group in our country is the drug "Zirtek". Instructions for use tells the consumer that the main active ingredient is cyterizine. It belongs to histamine antagonists and acts at different stages of allergic manifestations. Once in the body, the substance blocks H1-receptors (histamine). Cyterizin rendersnext exposure:
- relieves itching;
- prevents and eliminates tissue swelling;
- eliminates smooth muscle spasms;
- effectively combats the body's reaction to cold;
- neutralizes skin reactions.
Features of admission in children
To fight allergies in the youngest patients, doctors recommend using Zyrtec drops (10 mg). Instructions for use indicate that the medicine is safe for children and can eliminate unpleasant symptoms even before the onset of complications. However, if the reaction is already in full swing, then the drug effectively reduces the effect of active histamine. Doctors emphasize that the drug does not have a sedative effect, which distinguishes it favorably from other similar drugs. It is also important that long-term use does not cause addiction, so the product can be used repeatedly.
For the treatment of allergy manifestations in children, it is necessary to use the liquid form of "Zirtek" (10 ml). Instructions for use clearly show that 1 ml of such a drug accounts for 10 mg of the active ingredient. It also contains excipients:
- water;
- sodium acetate;
- glycerol;
- acetic acid.
When appointed
Multiple manifestations of allergies can be eliminated by "Zirtek" Instructions for use tell the consumer in which cases the remedy will be effective. The medicine is necessary to eliminate the consequences of negative reactionsorganism to a stimulus. Moreover, drops can also be used to treat newborns. However, despite the fact that this form of the drug is positioned as a child, it can be used even after the baby reaches the age of six months. Otherwise, the attending physician can give an individual recommendation. Problems that Zyrtec fixes:
- allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis;
- Quincke's edema;
- symptoms of hives;
- itchy skin and constant tickling in the nose caused by hay fever;
- various skin manifestations associated with external and internal stimuli.
Children's drops "Zirtek": instructions for use
For the treatment of the smallest patients, drops are provided. They are taken orally, previously dissolved in a small amount of liquid. If you study the instructions, it becomes clear that the dosage will depend on the age of the child:
- If the baby is from 6 months to a year old, then he needs to take 5 drops per day. Reception is limited to one time.
- Patients who are one to two years old are advised to give the same amount of the drug, but twice a day.
- Children two to six are offered five drops twice a day, but for acute symptoms, 10 drops can be used once.
- For older children, the recommended dosage is 10 drops per day, but if necessary, this can be increased to 20.
In the instructions for use for children's drops "Zirtek" it is indicated that the schemerecommended intake, the doctor can make individual adjustments. So, in the presence of renal failure, the specialist will prescribe a slightly different regimen. This is due to the fact that the active substance is mainly excreted by the kidneys. But if the disturbances in the body are associated with the functioning of the baby's liver, then the intake will not need to be adjusted.
The advantage is the possibility of using the drug "Zyrtec" for newborns. The instructions for use indicate that the recommended age is from six months. If an allergy remedy was required earlier, then the doctor will recommend an individual scheme. It is known that the drug is successfully used to relieve unpleasant symptoms even in younger patients. But their treatment should take place under the full supervision of a qualified specialist.
Adult dosage
It is better if the dosage of the drug is determined by the doctor, taking into account the general condition and possible consequences. But the general information that is presented in the instructions shows that children over six years of age and adults are usually prescribed the drug in the form of tablets.
For adults, one tablet per day is recommended for the treatment and removal of all allergy symptoms. For children, the dosage does not change, but the pill should be divided in half into two doses. One half should be drunk in the morning, the second - in the evening. Moreover, a second dose may not be necessary, because a dose of 5 mg, as a rule, works effectively.
Pills do not need to be chewed, they must be swallowed whole. WhereinIt is important that you drink enough liquid. To achieve the greatest therapeutic effect, the medicine is taken one hour after a meal or one hour before it.
Usually, the release of histamine is recorded in the evening hours, therefore, with a single dose, it is better to drink a pill before bed at night. If taken regularly, a 12-hour gap should be maintained.
When not to use medicine
Effectively and safely eliminates all symptoms of allergic manifestations "Zirtek". Indications for use (instruction to confirm this) can be all the unpleasant consequences that are caused by the manifestation of active histamine. The drug quickly eliminates all symptoms, removes swelling, redness, tearing and runny nose. However, this drug is not always suitable for everyone. Allergy drops "Zirtek" (instructions for use contain complete information) should not be taken in the following cases:
- if there is an individual intolerance to any component of the drug;
- impaired kidney function;
- Patient less than six months old.
However, the last point is not a complete contraindication and together with the doctor you can make an informed decision on admission.
Restrictions on reception
Experts recommend using the product with caution in children under one year old. Their treatment is best done under the supervision of an allergist. The question of the dosage of the drug should also be completely entrusted to the doctor if there are kidney pathologies. It is also important to consultspecialist for patients who have urinary problems or are at risk for seizures.
Has some limitations and "Zirtek" in the form of drops. The instructions for use clearly indicate that simultaneous use with theophylline reduces the effectiveness of the drug by 15%.
Doctors agree that, given all the features of the active substance and possible side effects, only an allergist should deal with the appointment and dosage of antiallergic drugs. Self-prescribing and ignoring the provisions of the instructions can harm the body and not relieve all symptoms.
Side effects
Relatively safe recognized for babies "Zirtek". Instructions for use indicate that the reception is possible at this age, which is rare for this type of drug. But for the treatment of such small patients, only drops are used, which are easy to give to the baby along with water. But, regardless of the form of release, the medicine can cause unpleasant consequences. Among the main side effects are the following:
- drowsy:
- headache or dizziness;
- nausea, vomiting;
- dry mouth and nasal mucosa;
- runny nose and stuffy nose.
Among the side effects in the instructions are anaphylactic shock and an aggressive state. But then an explanation is given that such conditions occur extremely rarely, but this item cannot be ignored. The annotation also contains an indication of possible urinary incontinence during treatmentwith this remedy, deterioration in the quality of vision and the development of asthenia.
There are also warnings for breastfeeding women. In this state, reception is possible, but it is important to strictly adhere to the recommended dosage, otherwise problems may arise.
The consequences of an overdose
If the drug is taken according to the instructions, side effects are quite rare. However, the following problems may occur in case of accidental overdose:
- limb tremor;
- anxiety;
- headache;
- increased itching;
- general malaise and weakness;
- liquid stool;
- strong sedation.
What to do in case of an overdose
If the allowable dose of the drug is exceeded, then the main measure is gastric lavage. There is no specific antidote, but absorbent drugs are recommended. Ordinary activated charcoal can be used.
It is noted that an overdose negatively affects the nervous system and acts depressingly on it. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers should be careful. It is also important to consider that if the infant is predisposed to possible sudden death, it is recommended to stop taking antihistamines.
Course duration
If an acute allergic reaction is recorded, then it is necessary to take the drug until all unpleasant symptoms disappear completely. Usually the course is from a week to ten days. However, with year-round allergies or its seasonal manifestations, the duration of admission is increased to three weeks. At the same time, it is necessaryobserve breaks - 2-3 weeks.
Conclusion
"Zirtek" is indicated for all forms of allergies. For the treatment of children under six years of age, it is necessary to use the drug only in the form of drops. But they must be given only orally, after diluting with a small amount of water. As drops in the nose "Zirtek" instructions for use categorically prohibits use.
Pills are used to treat adults. The drug has a mild sedative effect, but does not affect driving. But still, the annotation warns people who regularly take the remedy so that during the reception they refrain from work that requires extreme concentration. A single dose of such an effect usually does not have. Therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
