Allergies & Sinus

Claritin. Claritin (Loratadine) is a very popular medicine used to relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies and hives in adults and children 12 years of age or older.

Zyrtec (Cetirizine 10mg) is the only leading prescription antihistamine approved to treat both year-round indoor and outdoor allergies, chronic itching and hives in adults and children as young as 2 years.

Zyrtec provides effective relief for itchy, runny nose; sneezing; itchy, red, and watery eyes; and postnasal drip. Zyrtec also reduces chronic hives and their associated itching.

Zyrtec is an antihistamine. When you come in contact with a substance you are allergic to, your body produces a chemical called histamine. It is histamine that causes your symptoms, such as sneezing, itching, or runny nose. Zyrtec helps block the effects of histamine to relieve these symptoms.

Zyrtec has been available in the U.S. since 1996 and outside the U.S. since 1987. It is available in 100 countries.

Zyrtec can be taken by those people who suffer from year-long indoor and/or outdoor allergies, no matter what allergies make up their unique allergy profile. (If you are sensitive to any ingredients in Zyrtec, or to a drug called hydroxyzine [Atarax], you shouldn't take Zyrtec.)

Zyrtec studies showed that people with allergies and mild to moderate asthma can take Zyrtec for their allergies without worsening their asthma symptoms. You should discuss your asthma treatment with your doctor.

If you have liver or kidney problems, they could affect how much Zyrtec you need to take.

If you are pregnant or nursing, you should seek the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional before taking any medication.

In Zyrtec studies, side effects were mild or moderate and included drowsiness, fatigue and dry mouth in adults and drowsiness, headache, sore throat and stomach pain in children. Drowsiness occurred in between 11% and 14% in adults, depending on dose, compared to 6% taking placebo (sugar pill). In children, drowsiness occurred in between 2% and 4%, depending on dose, compared to 1% taking placebo.

 Article key :  Allergies Zyrtec, Zyrtec, Allergies, 2008, 2009