Introduction About ALERGIN TABLET

ALERGIN TABLET contains Cetirizine which belongs to the group of medicines called Anti-allergic medicines. It is used to manage symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (such as nasal congestion, itchy nose, repeated sneezing and red, watery and/or itchy eyes) and urticaria (allergic skin condition causing reddish raised patches on the skin with severe itching) in both adults and in children (aged 6 years or above).

Take ALERGIN TABLET as directed by your physician. It is preferably taken during the evenings or at bedtime with or without meals. Before taking ALERGIN TABLET, inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have epilepsy or difficulty in passing urine.

ALERGIN TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney impairment. It should be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women only if it is considered necessary by the physician.

ALERGIN TABLET may cause excessive drowsiness and tiredness. Therefore, restrict yourself from engaging into activities that requires complete concentration (such as driving or handling heavy tools or machines) as a precaution.

Other most common side effects of taking ALERGIN TABLET are dryness of mouth, headache, tiredness, weakness and sore throat. Consult your doctor if they trouble you.

Uses Of ALERGIN TABLET

It is used in adults and in children (aged 6 years or above) to manage symptoms associated with:

• Allergic rhinitis (such as nasal congestion, itchy nose, repeated sneezing and red, watery and itchy eyes)
• Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (severe skin rash with reddish raised patches and itching)

How ALERGIN TABLET Works

ALERGIN TABLET is an anti-allergic medicine. It reduces allergic reactions by blocking the release of certain chemicals (histamines) in the body that triggers the allergic response. As a result, it provides relief from the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and urticaria.

How to use ALERGIN TABLET

Take ALERGIN TABLET as advised by your physician. It can be taken with or without meals. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition. Continue to take this medicine for the stipulated duration prescribed by your doctor to achieve better results.

Side Effects Of ALERGIN TABLET

How To Manage Side Effects

Diarrhea

Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or fruit juice to keep yourself hydrated. Consuming ORS can also be beneficial. Do not consume any medicine on your own without consulting your doctor. If your diarrhea worsens, contact your doctor.

Dizziness Or Drowsiness

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling sleepy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your sleepiness. Consult your doctor if your condition worsens.

Dry Mouth

Drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Consume foods which has high water and fiber content. Artificial saliva can also be used in extreme dryness of mouth. If your condition worsens, contact your doctor.

Headache

Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

Monitoring required

ALERGIN TABLET should be used in pregnant women only if it is considered necessary by the physician. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Breastfeeding

Monitoring required

ALERGIN TABLET may pass through breast milk. Therefore, it should be used in breastfeeding women only if it is considered necessary by the physician.

Driving and Using Machines

Use with Caution

ALERGIN TABLET may cause excessive sleepiness or tiredness. Therefore, do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if your ability is affected by ALERGIN TABLET.

Alcohol

Use with Caution

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking ALERGIN TABLET as it might make you feel dizzier and drowsier.

Kidney

Consult your doctor

ALERGIN TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney disease (such as kidney failure). It should be used with caution in patients with other kidney problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Liver

Use with Caution

ALERGIN TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Allergy

Contraindicated

Do not take ALERGIN TABLET if you are allergic to Cetirizine or to any other anti-allergic medicines (such as hydroxyzine, levocetirizine, meclozine, cyclizine, buclizine).

Use In Pediatrics

Consult your doctor

ALERGIN TABLET should be used in children and adolescents (aged 6 years or above) only if prescribed by the physician. It is not recommended for use in children aged below 6 years. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice.

Use In Geriatrics

Use with Caution

ALERGIN TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking ALERGIN TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any other prescription, non-prescription and over-the-counter medicines as a precaution.

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally took more ALERGIN TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose may include confusion, diarrhea, dizziness, tiredness, headache, pupil dilation, itching, restlessness, sleepiness, shaking, unable to pass urine and abnormal heart rate.

Synopsis

More Information

FAQs About ALERGIN TABLET

Q: Can ALERGIN TABLET reduce allergic symptoms?

A: Yes. ALERGIN TABLET is used to reduce symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (such as nasal congestion, itchy nose, repeated sneezing and red, watery and/or itchy eyes) and urticaria (skin rash with itching).

Q: Is ALERGIN TABLET addictive in nature?

A: No. ALERGIN TABLET is not addictive in nature and you can take it as long as it benefits you. If you are doubtful, consult your doctor for advice.

Q: Can ALERGIN TABLET be used in children?

A: ALERGIN TABLET should be used in children and adolescents (aged 6 years or above) only if prescribed by the physician. It is not recommended for use in children aged below 6 years. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice.

Q: Can ALERGIN TABLET cause headaches?

A: Yes. Headache is one of the most common side effects of taking ALERGIN TABLET. In case of you are experiencing a headache after taking ALERGIN TABLET, try to rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Apply a pain-relieving balm on the forehead if needed. Do not consume too much of alcohol. Consult your doctor if headache persists for a long time.

Q: What are the uses of ALERGIN TABLET?

A: ALERGIN TABLET is used to manage symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (such as nasal congestion, itchy nose, repeated sneezing and red, watery and itchy eyes) and urticaria (skin rash with itching).

Q: Who can use ALERGIN TABLET?

A: ALERGIN TABLET is suitable for use in both adults and in children (aged 6 years or above).

Q: How ALERGIN TABLET works?

A: ALERGIN TABLET is an anti-allergic medicine. It reduces allergic reactions by blocking the release of certain chemicals (histamines) in the body that triggers the allergic response. As a result, it provides relief from the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and urticaria.

Q: How long will it take for ALERGIN TABLET to show the results?

A: You may notice improvement in your condition within 1-2 hours following the administration of ALERGIN TABLET. However, it may take few days for ALERGIN TABLET to reduce the onset of allergic response. As there is only symptomatic management available for allergic reactions, your symptoms may re-appear if you are exposed to allergens once again. To manage this, your doctor may ask you to take this medicine periodically. For more information, consult your doctor for advice.

Q: When should I take ALERGIN TABLET?

A: ALERGIN TABLET is preferably taken during bedtime after food. However, you may also take ALERGIN TABLET in the mornings if advised by your doctor. As ALERGIN TABLET may make you feel sleepy, restrict yourself from engaging into activities such as driving, travelling, handling hazardous tools or machines or any activities that requires complete alertness as a safety measure.

Q: Can I stop taking ALERGIN TABLET once my symptoms subside?

A: Do not stop taking ALERGIN TABLET without consulting your doctor even if you feel better during the midway of the therapy. Make sure to take ALERGIN TABLET for the stipulated duration as recommended by your doctor to achieve better results. As there is only symptomatic management available for allergic reactions, your symptoms may re-appear if you are exposed to allergens once again. To manage this, your doctor may ask you to take this medicine periodically. For more information, consult your doctor for advice.

Q: What is the best time to take ALERGIN TABLET?

A: ALERGIN TABLET is preferably taken during bedtime after food. However, you may also take ALERGIN TABLET in the mornings if advised by your doctor. Make sure to not to engage yourself into activities such as driving, travelling, handling hazardous tools or machines or any activities that requires complete alertness if ALERGIN TABLET is taken at mornings.

Q: What to do if I forgot to take a dose of ALERGIN TABLET?

A: If you have missed a dose of ALERGIN TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose of ALERGIN TABLET, skip the missed dose and take the next one regularly. Do not take a double dose of ALERGIN TABLET to compensate the missed ones.

Q: What precautions should be followed while taking ALERGIN TABLET?

A: Before taking ALERGIN TABLET inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems, fits or difficulty in passing urine. You must also inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Continue to take ALERGIN TABLET for the stipulated duration prescribed by your doctor to achieve better results.

Q: Can I consume alcohol while taking ALERGIN TABLET?

A: Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking ALERGIN TABLET as it might make you feel dizzier and drowsier.

Q: Can I drive after taking ALERGIN TABLET?

A: ALERGIN TABLET may cause excessive sleepiness or tiredness. Therefore, do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if you experience any such symptoms.

Q: Can I take ALERGIN TABLET daily?

A: Take ALERGIN TABLET as advised by your physician. Your doctor will evaluate your health condition and suggest whether can you take ALERGIN TABLET every day or not.

Q: Can the use of ALERGIN TABLET affect the liver?

A: Yes. ALERGIN TABLET may affect the way your liver work. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Q: Can ALERGIN TABLET be taken during pregnancy?

A: ALERGIN TABLET should be used in pregnant women only if it is considered necessary by the physician. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Q: Can ALERGIN TABLET make my child feel sleepy?

A: ALERGIN TABLET may cause sleepiness or drowsiness in few children, although not everybody gets them. This is quite normal and does not need to worry about. Avoid unnecessary distractions in children and try to make them stay relaxed. Avoid taking them outdoors unnecessarily. Avoid giving them concomitant medicines that can make them drowsier like cough syrups or sedatives. If this symptom bothers you, contact your doctor for advice.

Q: Can ALERGIN TABLET make my child hyperactive?

A: ALERGIN TABLET may cause hyperactivity in few children, although not everybody gets them. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual behavior in your child.

References

1. KD Tripathi. Histamines and Antihistamines. Autocoids and related drugs. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. seventh edition. 2013. Page – 164,166.

2. Aasim Naqvi; Valerie Gerriets. Cetirizine. StatPearls. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed Central. November 2022. [Accessed on 9th January 2023]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549776/

3. Dexcel Pharma Ltd. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in June 2019]. [Accessed on 9th January 2022]. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.8399.pdf

4. McNeil Consumer Healthcare. REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet (Cetirizine hydrochloride tablets). [Revised in April 2020]. [Accessed on 9th January 2022]. https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00055987.PDF

5. Cetirizine. NHS.UK. [Revised in October 2021]. [Accessed on 9th January 2022]. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cetirizine/

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• Basic Allergy Package

Author Details

Written By Srilekha. R - B.Pharm

Reviewed By Dr. Sankara Babu Gorle - MBBS, MD(Pharmacology) View profile

Last updated on 17 Aug 2024 | 05:35 PM(IST)