Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Allergy Relief Cetirizine Hydrochloride Liquid Gels
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
Adults and children 12 years of age and over: Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels (cetirizine hydrochloride) is indicated for the fast relief of nasal and non-nasal seasonal (e.g. trees, grass, pollen, ragweed/hay fever) and year-round (e.g. dust, animal dander, mold) allergy symptoms, including: sneezing, runny nose, post-nasal discharge, nasal congestion/stuffiness, itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose/throat, and itching and hives due to allergic skin reactions.
What it does:
Your allergy symptoms are simply your body’s over reaction in trying to protect you from allergens such as dust, ragweed, grass and tree pollen, animal dander or mold. When allergens are detected, the cells in your body release a chemical call histamine which binds to specific histamine receptors in your skin and tissues. The resulting reaction causes itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and runny nose. Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels (cetirizine hydrochloride) helps relieve your allergy symptoms by blocking these receptor sites before histamine binds there, preventing or reducing many of the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels anti-inflammatory properties also help by reducing swelling and related symptoms, including redness and hives (red, itchy bumps or welts on your skin).
Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels provides fast and effective relief of your worst allergy symptoms for a full 24 hours.
When it should not be used:
Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels (cetirizine hydrochloride) is contraindicated in those patients with a known hypersensitivity to it, to its parent compound, hydroxyzine, or to piperazine derivatives, in patients who are hypersensitive to any other ingredient in the formulation (see list of non-medicinal ingredients – below), or in patients with severe kidney impairment (less than 10 mL/min creatinine clearance).
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Cetirizine hydrochloride
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
gelatin, isopropyl alcohol, lecithin, medium chain triglycerides, macrogol 400, partially dehydrated liquid sorbitol, purified water, sodium hydroxide.
What dosage forms it comes in:
Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels are available as 10 mg capsules packaged in HDPE containers of 25, 40 and 84 capsules.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
BEFORE you use Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or nursing a baby, or have liver or kidney disease. Your doctor should determine if a different dose is needed. If signs and symptoms such as formation of small pimples occur, with or without fever or redness, then treatment with cetirizine should be discontinued and a doctor should be consulted. Some people can experience drowsiness due to allergies or antihistamine use. If drowsiness does occur with Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels use, do not drive a car or operate machinery. If symptoms persist or worsen, or if new symptoms occur, stop use and consult a doctor. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Do not use Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels with sedating substances such as alcohol and some other medications, including: anti-anxiety medications, sleep aids, antihistamines, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, or prescription analgesics.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Adults and children 12 years of age and over: One 10 mg capsule once daily.
Do not give Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels to children under 12 years of age, unless advised by a physician.
DO NOT EXCEED RECOMMENDED DOSAGE. Prolonged use only as directed by a doctor. Do not use longer than 14 days in children unless directed by a doctor.
Overdose:
Overdose has been reported with Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels. Symptoms reported after an overdose of at least five times the recommended daily dose are: confusion, diarrhea, dizziness, sleepiness, headache, fatigue, feeling of bodily discomfort, excessive dilation of the pupil, itching, restlessness, sedation, lowered level of consciousness, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, tremor and inability to urinate.
Extreme activity and extreme lack of energy have been seen in children
| In case of suspected overdose or if any of these symptoms occur, stop taking the drug and immediately contact your doctor or the Poison Control centre at once. |
Treatment in a hospital setting is preferred. Notify of any other medications you may have been taking. VOMITING SHOULD NEVER BE INDUCED IN UNCONSCIOUS INDIVIDUALS OR IN CHILDREN UNDER 1 YEAR WITHOUT MEDICAL HELP.
Missed Dose:
If you miss taking your dose on time, do not worry; take your dose when you remember. Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
The most common side effects associated with Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels (cetirizine hydrochloride) are headache, sleepiness and dry mouth. If these side effects do not go away, call your doctor or pharmacist.
The following side effects have been reported very rarely: aggression, agitation, hallucination, memory impairment/amnesia, insomnia, dizziness, loss of taste, erectile dysfunction, eye pain or swelling and blurred vision.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM |
| Symptom/effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and call your doctor or pharmacist | ||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||
| Restlessness with increased body movement | √ | |||
| Difficulty urinating | √ | |||
| New rash or itching after stopping drug | √ | |||
| Liver dysfunction (inflammation of the liver, appearance of jaundice, i.e. yellowing of the skin) | √ | |||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Allergy Relief CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE liquid gels contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Store at temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. Avoid high humidity and excessive heat (above 40°C). Protect from light.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
MORE INFORMATION
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found by contacting the sponsor,
Strides Pharma Canada Inc.
1565, Boul. Lionel-Boulet
Varennes, Quebec
J3X 1P7
1-888-318-0234
Prepared: May 10, 2021