Today, you cannot find Zirtek ointment in pharmacies: only drops and tablets are produced under this name. But there are a large number of ointments with other components that are also effective in case of an allergic reaction. Why is Zyrtec so popular and why do doctors prescribe it so often? Consider the features of this tool. Let's pay attention to ointments, which are often prescribed in case of an allergic reaction, if tablets and drops are ineffective or not applicable in a particular case.
Technical info
Instead of ointment, Zyrtec is presented to the audience in the form of drops and tablets. Drops are designed for oral administration. Tablets are made in the form of film-coated capsules. They are made in white, have an oblong shape, both surfaces are convex. One of the sides is supplemented with engraving, risk. Drops are a colorless, transparent liquid. If you sniffyou can feel a specific aroma. The main active ingredient is cetirizine hydrochloride. Each tablet contains 10 mg. One milliliter of drops contains the same amount of active ingredient.
In the manufacture of tablets, opadry, cellulose, lactose, magnesium, silicon, and titanium compounds are used as additional ingredients. Auxiliary substances used in the manufacture of drops are sodium molecules, acetic acid, specially prepared water, glycerol, methyl-, propylparabenzene, propylene glycol.
Pharmacology
Like some ointments presented in pharmacies, "Zirtek" is a tool that is effective in combating allergic manifestations. The main ingredient of this drug inhibits histamine type H1 receptors. In the competing mode, the agent is a histamine antagonist. At its expense, it prevents, facilitates the sensitization of the body. The drug has effects that eliminate itching and reduce the release of exudate.
Cetirizine, which is part of Zirtek (ointments with this substance are not yet made), is able to correct allergies at an early stage, depending on histamine. Under its influence, the release of inflammatory mediators at a late stage of sensitization is limited. The migration of neutro-, baso-, eosinophils becomes less active. The substance normalizes mast cell membranes, makes capillary walls less permeable, prevents tissue swelling and eliminates muscle spasms. The skin reaction caused by histamine is eliminatedeffect of specific allergens. The course of the urticaria is facilitated due to the cooling of the tissues. Reduced bronchial constriction against the background of histamine, observed in mild asthma.
Pharmacology nuances
The instructions for use accompanying Zirtek (you can’t buy ointments with this name, but there are drops and tablets) indicates that the drug has no antiserotonin effect, anticholinergic. Use in a therapeutically justified dose excludes sedative effects.
After a single consumption of 10 mg of the main ingredient, the primary effect can be seen in the first third of an hour in every second case, in 95% of patients it is fixed within the first hour. The duration is more than a day. When using the course, there is no tolerance. After stopping the therapeutic program, the effect lasts for about three days.
Kinetics
There is a linear change in the kinetic parameters of the main ingredient of the drug - cetirizine, whose features are described in the instructions for use of "Zirtek". There are no ointments with this substance on sale, drops and tablets are available. Therefore, be careful not to buy a fake.
It is noted that when used, the drug is rapidly absorbed during the passage of the gastrointestinal tract. With a single dose of a therapeutic volume in an adult's body, the maximum concentration is fixed in an hour with a possible deviation up and down for half an hour. The parameter is estimated at approximately 300 units. The meal does not correct the degree of absorption.
The ability to bind to plasma proteins is estimated at approximately 93%, and the volume of serum distribution reaches half a liter per kilo. When using 10 mg for a ten-day course, no cumulative effects are recorded.
Kinetics
As you can see from the instructions for "Zirtek" (there is no ointment, but drops, tablets can be purchased at any pharmacy), the main substance that blocks histamine is slightly transformed in the liver. The reaction is dealkylation. The reaction product has no pharmacological activity. This greatly distinguishes the agent in question from other products that block histamine receptors, since the cytochrome enzyme is used for their metabolism in the liver.
The half-life of an adult is estimated at an average of 10 hours. About two-thirds of the resulting drug is eliminated by the renal system in the form of the original formula.
Features and timing
For persons in the age group from six months to two years of age, the half-life is estimated at 3.1 hours, for children under six years of age it reaches five hours, and for children under twelve years of age it is estimated at six hours. In the elderly, in patients with chronic hepatic diseases, a single use is accompanied by an increase in the half-life on average by half with a decrease in systemic clearance by 40%. With a creatinine clearance of more than 40 units, the kinetic features are similar to those recorded in a human body with he althy kidneys.
Like many other pills,solutions, ointments, in Zirtek, the instructions indicate the difference in the kinetics of the drug in case of renal disorders. If the weakness of the organ is such that the creatinine clearance is less than seven units, the use of a standard dose is accompanied by a prolongation of the half-life. The term is on average tripled. Systemic clearance drops by approximately 70% compared to that characteristic of people with normal renal function. This forces you to select the dose individually. It should be borne in mind that blood dialysis almost does not remove the active substance from the body.
When will it help?
The indications indicated in the instructions for Zirtek include angioedema. The drug is used for allergic dermatoses, if they provoked areas of rash, itching on the skin. You can use the remedy for the treatment of urticaria, including the idiopathic form of the disease. The drug is prescribed for hay fever.
He has proven himself well in eliminating the symptoms of rhinitis, conjunctivitis due to allergies - both seasonal and disturbing all year round. Drops, tablets quickly and effectively stop sneezing, itching, copious separation of tears. Under the influence of the remedy, the redness of the tissues disappears, the rhinorrhea disappears.
How to use?
You can and should use Zirtek inside. Persons older than six years of age are shown to take a tablet daily. Alternative - 20 drops per day. Adults are shown to use the daily dose at a time, children should be divided into two portions or used at one time. In some cases, you can start the course with 5 mg. It is known that forfor certain patients, this volume is enough to achieve the desired effect.
For patients in the age group of two to six years, five drops should be taken twice daily. An alternative is a single daily intake of a dozen drops containing 5 mg of the active ingredient.
Assign "Zirtek" can be children of one year of age. For persons not older than two years, it is shown to receive five drops of the drug twice a day. For children even younger than six months of age, the optimal dose is five drops once daily.
Unwanted effects
The active substance present in Zirtek can provoke thrombocytopenia, sleep disturbances, and accommodation. Some complained that they were sick and dizzy. Depression, tremor, agitation, nystagmus are possible. There is a danger of rhinitis, tachycardia, pharyngitis. There are cases of enuresis, an allergic reaction, weight gain, stool disorders, dry mouth, and nausea. Some felt tired, others were troubled by swelling and general malaise. Possible asthenia. Studies show that any adverse effects occur in a vanishingly small number of cases.
Sometimes you can't
It is forbidden to use Zyrtec in any way in case of the terminal stage of renal weakness. That is, the state when the creatinine clearance is less than ten units. You can not prescribe the drug to women who are carrying or breastfeeding a child. In tablet form, the drug is contraindicated in children under the age of six.age, and in the form of drops is prohibited for babies up to six months. Do not use the product if there is a high level of sensitivity to any compound used by the manufacturer, as well as hydroxyzine. Contraindications are lactase deficiency, hypersensitivity to galactose, malabsorption glucose-galactose syndrome.
Extremely carefully, the medication is used for weakness of the kidneys in the form of a chronicle. The doctor must adjust the dose. It is necessary to carefully use the remedy for chronic liver pathologies and in old age. The latter is explained by the danger of deterioration in the quality of glomerular filtration.
Worth it?
As can be concluded from the reviews, the Zirtek instructions are simple and clear, the admission rules do not cause any confusion. Those who use the tool recognize its reliability. It is extremely rare to see complaints about the undesirable effects of the course in the responses. Users admit: both drops and tablets help very quickly, the effect is stable, reliable, pronounced.
Is there an alternative?
There are several analogues of Zirtek on the market. The instructions for such drugs contain an indication of the same main active ingredient - cetirizine. These potential alternatives include:
- Alerza.
- Zodak.
- Cetirizine.
Among the variety of products containing cetirizine, there are no ointments available in the form. There are only a variety of drugs for internal use. The choice of alternative is recommended to be agreed with the doctor. Reviews aboutanalogues of "Zirtek" containing cetirizine are mostly just as positive. This is due to the quality of this substance, good tolerance by the human body.
True, the best experience is still with those who use the drugs prescribed by the doctor, and also regularly undergo examinations. Self-medication can cause unwanted and unpredictable effects. When studying the responses on the effectiveness of the drug, you should pay special attention to the supplemented photos. Zyrtec, like its main alternatives, is predominantly presented in such sources as a reliable and safe remedy.
Ointments for allergies: "Advantan"
Of course, one cannot say which is better: Zyrtec or Advantan. The first is intended for systemic use, the second is used locally, it helps to alleviate the condition of a separate focus, which manifested itself due to a sensitization reaction. "Advantan" is available in the form of ointment, emulsion, cream. All forms are intended for local external application. The main ingredient is methylprednisolone aceponate.
One gram of the drug contains one milligram of the active ingredient. The drug is classified as a glucocorticosteroid for local application. External use of a pharmaceutical product allows you to suppress inflammation, an allergic reaction. In addition, the remedy is effective for increased proliferation, inflammatory symptoms, subjective manifestations of adverse reactions.
Local application is associated with minimal risk of systemiceffects in both humans and animals. Multiple application over large areas (about half of the entire skin of the body) is not accompanied by a violation of adrenal functionality. There is no such thing when using the product under an occlusive dressing. Circadian rhythms remain stable, serum cortisol is normal, and the concentration of the substance in daily urine does not change.
About security
Trials were conducted lasting 12 weeks with the involvement of minors. In parallel, four-week studies were organized with the involvement of children, including minors. No cases of skin atrophy or striae were found, no acne-like rashes appeared, no telangiectasias were recorded.
Methylprednisolone aceponate and the main product of its transformation in the body are able to bind to specific receptors located inside cells. The complex explains the change in the immune response, initiates a cascade of biological reactions.
When will it help?
You can find out about this by studying the instructions in the block devoted to indications (as well as in the instructions describing what Zirtek helps with). Cream and ointment, as well as an ointment with a high level of fat content, are prescribed for inflammatory skin pathologies, the cure of which can be achieved using steroid medications. These diagnoses include true, microbial, childhood, dyshidrotic and occupational eczema, as well as dermatitis - simple, allergic, atopic. The drug is prescribed for neurodermatitis.
Emulsionuse if a person suffers from atopic, contact, allergic, seborrheic, photodermatitis. You can use the Advantan emulsion to combat types of eczema: children's, true, due to microbes. The remedy is used if a person has received a sunburn.
Rules of application
"Advantan" is intended for external use. Unlike Zirtek, this remedy is available in the form of an ointment (as well as cream, emulsion). It is used over the age of four months. The drug is applied once a day, spreading a thin layer over the diseased areas. Adults can use the product for up to 12 weeks in a row, children - no more than a four-week course. The emulsion is usually prescribed for two weeks and more short-term use.
Since there is little fat and a lot of water in the cream, this form is optimal for acute inflammation, subacute course, if there is no strong weeping. In the ointment, the amount of water, fatty fractions is balanced, so the form is suitable for a chronic, subacute process, if there is no weeping. The ointment not only heals the integument, but also normalizes the level of fat content, moisture saturation.
Fatty ointment does not contain water and is optimal for use with increased dryness of the skin. The emulsion is applicable only if there is no severe dryness. If the use of the composition is accompanied by such an effect, you need to change the form to an ointment.
Elokom drug
This ointment, effective, like the preparations of the Zyrtec line, for allergies, works by including mometasone furoate in its composition. in one gramThe product contains a milligram of the active substance. The product is soft, homogeneous, white or close to white in color. There should be no additional ingredients. The main substance is an artificially manufactured glucocorticosteroid for local use. It has the ability to fight exudate, itching and inflammation.
The drug is indicated for itching, inflammation, accompanying dermatosis. The drug is prescribed if the disease can be treated with steroid drugs. The drug is used for psoriasis, it is resorted to in the case of atopic dermatitis. "Elocom" is prescribed to patients from the age of two.
Elocom cannot be used for rosacea and common acne. The drug is prohibited in skin atrophy and is contraindicated in some forms of dermatitis. It is not used for itching of the perianal area, genitals. A steroid agent is not indicated if infection with viruses, bacteria, fungi is established. Contraindications are syphilis, tuberculosis, ulcers. Possible hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the product. In this case, the use of Ecolom ointment is not allowed.
