Patient info Open main menu

CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE 10 MG TABLETS - Patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

ATC code:

Dostupné balení:

Patient leaflet - CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE 10 MG TABLETS

1. what cetirizine is and what it is used for

Cetirizine dihydrochloride is the active ingredient of Cetirizine. Cetirizine is an antiallergic medication.

In adults and children aged 6 years and above, Cetirizine is indicated

  • for the relief of nasal and ocular symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.
  • for the relief of chronic nettle rash (chronic idiopathic urticaria).

2. what you need to know before you take cetirizine

Do not take Cetirizine:

  • if you have a severe kidney disease (severe renal failure with creatinine clearance below 10 ml/min);
  • if you are allergic to cetirizine dihydrochloride, to hydroxyzine, to piperazine derivatives (closely related active substances of other medicines) or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6),.

Warnings and precautions:

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Cetirizine Hydrochloride.

If you have problems passing urine (like spinal cord problems or prostate or bladder problems), please ask your doctor for advice.

If you are a patient with renal insufficiency, please ask your doctor for advice; if necessary, you will take a lower dose. The new dose will be determined by your doctor.

If you are an epileptic patient or a patient at risk of convulsions, you should ask your doctor for advice.

If you are going to perform an allergy test, ask your doctor if you should stop taking Cetirizine for several days before testing. This medicine may affect your allergy test results.

If you plan having an allergy skin test made. The use of Cetirizin Sandoz should be interrupted at least 3 days prior to skin tests.

No clinically significant interactions have been observed between alcohol (at the blood level of 0.5 per mille (g/l) corresponding to one glass of wine) and cetirizine used at the normal doses. However, there are no data available on the safety when higher doses of cetirizine and alcohol are taken together. Therefore, as it is the case with all antihistamines, it is recommended to avoid taking Cetirizine with alcohol.

Children

Do not give this medicine to children below the age of 6 years because the tablet formulation does not allow the necessary dose adjustments.

Other medicines and Cetirizine

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Cetirizine with food and drink

Food does not affect noticeabily the absorbtion of cetirizine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Cetirizine should be avoided in pregnant women. Accidental use of the medicine by a pregnant woman should not produce any harmful effects on the foetus. Nevertheless, the medicine should be only administered if necessary and after medical advice.

Cetirizine passes into breast milk. Therefore, you should not take Cetirizine during breast feeding unless you have contacted a doctor.

Driving and using machines

Clinical studies have produced no evidence of impaired attention, alertness and driving capabilities after taking Cetirizine at the recommended dose. You should closely observe your response to the medicine after you have taken Cetirizine if you are intending to drive, engage in potentially hazardous activities or operate machinery. You should not exceed the recommended dose.

Cetirizine contains lactose

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

3. how to take cetirizine

Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Tablets need to be swallowed with a glass of liquid. The tablet can be divided into equal doses.

The recommended dose is:

Adults and adolescents above 12 years old

The recommended dose is 10 mg once daily as 1 tablet. Other form(s) of this medicine may be more suitable for children; ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Use in children between 6 and 12 years old

The recommended dose is 5 mg twice daily as a half tablet twice daily. Other form(s) of this medicine may be more suitable for children; ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Continued on the next page >>

Artwork Proof Box

Ref: V063: Comments from RMS

Proof no. Date prepared: Font size:

013.3 10/01/2019 8pt

Colours: Fonts:

  • ■ Black □ Helvetica

  • □ □

Patients with renal impairment

Patients with moderate renal impairment are recommended to take 5 mg once daily.

If you suffer from severe kidney disease, please contact your doctor or pharmacist who may adjust the dose accordingly.

If your child suffers from kidney disease, please contact your doctor or pharmacist who may adjust the dose according to your child’s needs.

If you feel that the effect of Cetirizine is too weak or too strong, please consult your doctor.

Duration of treatment

The duration of treatment depends on the type, duration and course of your complaints and is determined by your doctor.

If you take more Cetirizine than you should

If you think you have taken an overdose of Cetirizine please inform your doctor. Your doctor will then decide what measures, if any, should be taken.

After an overdose, the side effects described below may occur with increased intensity. Adverse effects such as confusion, diarrhoea, dizziness, tiredness, headache, ailing, dilating of pupil, itching, restlessness, sedation, somnolence, stupor, abnormal rapid heart rate, tremors and urinary retention have been reported.

If you forget to take Cetirizine

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Cetirizine

Rarely, pruritus (intense itching) and/or urticaria may return if you stop taking Cetirizine.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. blurred vision, oculogyration (eyes having uncontrolled circular movements)

  • syncope, tremor, dysgeusia (altered taste), dyskinesia (involuntary movements), dystonia (abnormal prolonged muscular contractions)
  • muscular contractions
  • tics (habit spasm)
  • abnormal elimination of urine (bed-wetting, pain and/or difficulty passing water)
  • fixed drug eruption

Frequency not known: (cannot be estimated from the available data):

  • memory loss, memory impairment
  • increased appetite
  • vertigo (sensation of rotation or movement)
  • urinary retention (inability to completely empty the urinary bladder)
  • nightmares
  • hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
  • joint pain
  • rash with blisters containing pus
  • pruritus (intense itching) and/or urticaria upon discontinuation
  • suicidal ideation (recurring thoughts of or pre occupation with suicide)

If you feel this way, stop taking the tablets and see your doctor.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in Google play or Apple App store.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

5. HOW TO STORE CETIRIZINE

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Cetirizin Sandoz and seek for medical attention without delay if you experience symptoms like:

  • swelling in your mouth, face and/or throat
  • difficulties in breathing (chest tightness or wheezing)
  • sudden drop in your blood pressure with sub sequent fainting or shock.

The symptoms can be signs of allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock and angiooedema. These reactions may start soon after you first take the medicine, or it might start later.

The following outline contains further side effects listed by their frequency:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

  • fatigue
  • dry mouth, nausea, diarrhoea
  • dizziness, headache
  • somnolence (sleepiness)
  • pharyngitis (sore throat), rhinitis (swelling and irritation inside the nose)

Uncommon: (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

  • agitation
  • abdominal pain
  • asthenia (extreme fatigue), malaise (feeling of being generally unwell)
  • paresthesia (abnormal feelings of the skin)
  • pruritus (itching), rash

Rare: (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

  • tachycardia (heart beating too fast)
  • oedema (swelling)
  • liver function abnormal
  • weight increased
  • convulsions
  • aggression, confusion, depression, hallucination, insomnia
  • urticaria (hives)

Very rare: (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):

  • thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets count manifested by bleeding or bruising more easily than normal)
  • accommodation disorder (difficulty focusing),

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicine does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION

What Cetirizine contains

  • Each tablet contains 10 mg of cetirizine hydrochloride The active substance is cetirizine hydrochloride.
  • The other ingredients are

Tablet core : cellulose microcrystalline, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, silica, colloidal anhydrous silica,

Tablet coat: hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, titanium dioxide (E171) and macrogol 4000.

What Cetirizine looks like and contents of the pack

Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg Tablets are white, oblong film-coated tablets, scored on one side. PVC blister with aluminium foil lidding: 7, 10, 14, 20, 21, 28, 30, 50, 60, 98 and 100 and 50 (50×1) unit-dose.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder

Sandoz Limited, Frimley Business Park, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 7SR

Manufacturer

Salutas Pharma GmbH, Otto-von-Guericke-Allee 1, 39179 Barleben, Germany

This leaflet was last revised in 01/2019

SZ00000LT000

Artwork Proof Box

Ref: V063: Comments from RMS

Proof no. Date prepared: Font size:

013.3 10/01/2019 8pt

Colours: Fonts:

  • ■ Black □ Helvetica

  • □ □

Patients with renal impairment

Patients with moderate renal impairment are recommended to take 5 mg once daily.

If you suffer from severe kidney disease, please contact your doctor or pharmacist who may adjust the dose accordingly.

If your child suffers from kidney disease, please contact your doctor or pharmacist who may adjust the dose according to your child’s needs.

If you feel that the effect of Cetirizine is too weak or too strong, please consult your doctor.

Duration of treatment

The duration of treatment depends on the type, duration and course of your complaints and is determined by your doctor.

If you take more Cetirizine than you should

If you think you have taken an overdose of Cetirizine please inform your doctor. Your doctor will then decide what measures, if any, should be taken.

After an overdose, the side effects described below may occur with increased intensity. Adverse effects such as confusion, diarrhoea, dizziness, tiredness, headache, ailing, dilating of pupil, itching, restlessness, sedation, somnolence, stupor, abnormal rapid heart rate, tremors and urinary retention have been reported.

If you forget to take Cetirizine

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Cetirizine

Rarely, pruritus (intense itching) and/or urticaria may return if you stop taking Cetirizine.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. blurred vision, oculogyration (eyes having uncontrolled circular movements)

  • syncope, tremor, dysgeusia (altered taste), dyskinesia (involuntary movements), dystonia (abnormal prolonged muscular contractions)
  • muscular contractions
  • tics (habit spasm)
  • abnormal elimination of urine (bed-wetting, pain and/or difficulty passing water)
  • fixed drug eruption

Frequency not known: (cannot be estimated from the available data):

  • memory loss, memory impairment
  • increased appetite
  • vertigo (sensation of rotation or movement)
  • urinary retention (inability to completely empty the urinary bladder)
  • nightmares
  • hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
  • joint pain
  • rash with blisters containing pus
  • pruritus (intense itching) and/or urticaria upon discontinuation
  • suicidal ideation (recurring thoughts of or pre occupation with suicide)

If you feel this way, stop taking the tablets and see your doctor.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in Google play or Apple App store.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

  • 4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

  • 5. HOW TO STORE CETIRIZINE

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Cetirizin Sandoz and seek for medical attention without delay if you experience symptoms like:

  • swelling in your mouth, face and/or throat
  • difficulties in breathing (chest tightness or wheezing)
  • sudden drop in your blood pressure with sub sequent fainting or shock.

The symptoms can be signs of allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock and angiooedema. These reactions may start soon after you first take the medicine, or it might start later.

The following outline contains further side effects listed by their frequency:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

  • fatigue
  • dry mouth, nausea, diarrhoea
  • dizziness, headache
  • somnolence (sleepiness)
  • pharyngitis (sore throat), rhinitis (swelling and irritation inside the nose)

Uncommon: (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

  • agitation
  • abdominal pain
  • asthenia (extreme fatigue), malaise (feeling of being generally unwell)
  • paresthesia (abnormal feelings of the skin)
  • pruritus (itching), rash

Rare: (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

  • tachycardia (heart beating too fast)
  • oedema (swelling)
  • liver function abnormal
  • weight increased
  • convulsions
  • aggression, confusion, depression, hallucination, insomnia
  • urticaria (hives)

Very rare: (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):

  • thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets count manifested by bleeding or bruising more easily than normal)
  • accommodation disorder (difficulty focusing),

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicine does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION

What Cetirizine contains

  • Each tablet contains 10 mg of cetirizine hydrochloride The active substance is cetirizine hydrochloride.
  • The other ingredients are

Tablet core : cellulose microcrystalline, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, silica, colloidal anhydrous silica,

Tablet coat: hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, titanium dioxide (E171) and macrogol 4000.

What Cetirizine looks like and contents of the pack

Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg Tablets are white, oblong film-coated tablets, scored on one side. PVC blister with aluminium foil lidding: 7, 10, 14, 20, 21, 28, 30, 50, 60, 98 and 100 and 50 (50×1) unit-dose.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder

Sandoz Limited, Frimley Business Park, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 7SR

Manufacturer

Salutas Pharma GmbH, Otto-von-Guericke-Allee 1, 39179 Barleben, Germany

This leaflet was last revised in 01/2019

SZ00000LT000

Artwork Proof Box

Ref: V063: Comments from RMS

Proof no. Date prepared: Font size:

013.3 10/01/2019 8pt

Colours: Fonts:

  • ■ Black □ Helvetica

  • □ □

The drug is classified in the ATC tree:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg used for?

Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg is commonly used to relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and itching of the throat or nose.

How does Cetirizine work in the body?

Cetirizine works by blocking histamine receptors in the body, which helps reduce allergy symptoms.

Is Cetirizine effective for hay fever?

Yes, Cetirizine is effective in treating symptoms of hay fever, including nasal congestion and sneezing.

Can I take Cetirizine if I have asthma?

Yes, Cetirizine can be taken by individuals with asthma, but you should consult your doctor first to ensure it’s safe for you.

What are common side effects of Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg?

Common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, and fatigue.

Is it safe to take Cetirizine daily?

Yes, for most people it is safe to take Cetirizine daily as directed by your healthcare provider.

Can children use Cetirizine Hydrochloride tablets?

Cetirizine can be used by children over the age of 6; however, consult a pediatrician before giving it to younger children.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Cetirizine?

If you miss a dose of Cetirizine, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

Can I consume alcohol while taking Cetirizine?

It is best to avoid alcohol while taking Cetirizine as it can increase drowsiness and reduce alertness.

Does Cetirizine cause weight gain?

There are no direct links between taking Cetirizine and weight gain; however, some people may experience changes in appetite.

How quickly does Cetirizine start working?

Cetirizine usually starts working within an hour of taking the tablet.

Can I take Cetirizine with other allergy medications?

Before combining medications, consult your healthcare provider to avoid potential interactions.

Is Cetirizine suitable for pregnant women?

Pregnant women should consult their doctor before using Cetirizine to weigh potential benefits against risks.

How should I store Cetirizine Hydrochloride tablets?

Store Cetirizine tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep them out of reach of children.

What happens if I overdose on Cetirizine?

In case of an overdose, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms may include severe drowsiness or rapid heartbeat.

Can I stop taking Cetirizine once my symptoms improve?

Yes, you can stop taking it when your symptoms improve. However, consult your healthcare provider first.

Does food affect how well Cetirizine works?

Food does not significantly affect the absorption or effectiveness of Cetirizine; you can take it with or without food.

Will taking Cetirizine affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

Cetirizine may cause drowsiness in some individuals; therefore, it's advisable to see how it affects you before driving or operating machinery.

What should I do if I have allergic reactions while taking this medicine?

If you experience signs of an allergic reaction like rash or difficulty breathing while on Cetirizine, seek medical help immediately.

Can I take other medications for allergies along with Cetirizine into account seasonal allergies?

Consult your doctor about using other over-the-counter allergy medications with Ketotifen to avoid interactions and increased side effects.