This medication is used to relieve allergy symptoms such
as watery eyes, runny/stuffy nose, itching eyes/nose, and sneezing. It
contains 2 medications: cetirizine and pseudoephedrine. Cetirizine is an
antihistamine and works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine)
that your body makes during an allergic reaction. Pseudoephedrine is a
decongestant and works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose to
decrease swelling and congestion.
This medication is not recommended for use in children
under 12 years of age due to the large amount of pseudoephedrine in
it.
If you are taking the over-the-counter product to
self-treat, read all directions on the product package before taking this
medication. If you have any questions, consult your pharmacist. If your
doctor has prescribed this medication, take it as directed with or without
food, usually twice daily (every 12 hours).
Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush or chew the
tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk
of side effects.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and
response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take this medication
more often than directed.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not get better
after 1 week, if they get wose, or if they occur with a
fever.
Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, dry mouth, nausea,
headache, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or
get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember
that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- difficulty urinating
- fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat
- shaking (tremor)
- mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, confusion, nervousness,
restlessness)
- weakness
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to cetirizine or pseudoephedrine; or to
hydroxyzine; or to levocetirizine; or if you have any other allergies.
Also, tell your doctor if you have had serious side effects from similar
medications (such as other decongestants, including phenylephrine). This
product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic
reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- glaucoma
- difficulty urinating (such as due to an enlarged
prostate)
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- heart/blood vessel disease (such as coronary artery
disease)
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- liver disease
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or
marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use
machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.
Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially fast/irregular heartbeat, dizziness, problems
urinating, trouble sleeping, or confusion.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your
doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a
serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors
(isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide,
phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline,
tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors
should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this
medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this
medication.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other
products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such
as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or
anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such
as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or other antihistamines (such as
chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy
or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause
drowsiness or they may contain similar ingredients (decongestants such as
phenylephrine). Ask your pharmacist about using those products
safely.
Do not use with any other antihistamines applied to the
skin (such as diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray) because increased
side effects may occur.
Cetirizine is very similar to hydroxyzine and
levocetirizine. Do not use these medications while using
cetirizine.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests
(such as allergy skin testing), possibly causing false test results. Make
sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this
drug.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe
drowsiness, fast/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as anxiety,
restlessness), seizures.
Keep all medical and lab appointments.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Different brands of this medication may have
different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how
to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from
children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.