Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Reactine 20 mg Tablet
What is REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet used for?
REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet is used in adults and children 12 years of age and older 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.
How does REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet work?
Your allergy symptoms are simply your body’s overreaction 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 called histamine which binds to specific histamine receptors in your skin and tissues. The resulting reaction causes itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and runny nose. REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet 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. The anti-inflammatory properties of REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet also help by reducing swelling and related symptoms, including redness and hives (red, itchy bumps or welts on your skin).
What are the ingredients in REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet?
Medicinal ingredients: Cetirizine hydrochloride
Non-medicinal ingredients: Corn starch, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, povidone, titanium dioxide. May or may not contain carnauba wax.
REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets: 20 mg
Do not use REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet if:
- you are allergic (hypersensitive) to cetirizine hydrochloride, hydroxyzine, piperazine derivatives or any of the other ingredients in REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet (see What are the ingredients in REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet?)
- you have serious kidney problems
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have kidney or liver problems
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- are 65 years of age or older
Other warnings you should know about:
- Serious skin reactions: Serious skin reactions, such as acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), have been reported in patients taking products that contain cetirizine, the medicinal ingredient found in REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet. This reaction can happen soon after taking REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet or it can be delayed. See the Serious side effects and what to do about them table, below, for more information on this and other serious side effects.
Driving and using machines: REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet can cause drowsiness. Give yourself time after taking REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet to see how you feel before driving a vehicle or using machinery. If drowsiness occurs do not drive or operate machinery.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet:
- Alcohol
- Other substances that cause sedation such as anti-anxiety medications, sleep aids, antihistamines, antidepressants, muscle relaxants and pain medication
How to take REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet:
REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet can be taken with or without food.
Usual dose:
Children 12 years of age and over and Adults: One tablet once per day.
Overdose:
Symptoms of an overdose include: confusion, diarrhea, dizziness, sleepiness, headache, fatigue, feeling of bodily discomfort, large pupils, 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.
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed Dose:
If you missed a dose of this medication, you do not need to make up the missed dose. Skip the missed dose and continue with your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses at the same time. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose.
What are possible side effects from using REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- Headache
- Sleepiness, fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Loss of taste
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Eye pain or swelling
- Blurred vision
- Erectile dysfunction
| Serious side effects and what to do about them | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| VERY RARE | |||
| Agitation, aggressiveness | √ | ||
| Allergic Reaction: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing | √ | ||
| Difficulty urinating | √ | ||
| Hallucinations: seeing or hearing things that are not really there | √ | ||
| Liver Problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), right upper stomach area pain or swelling, nausea or vomiting, unusual dark urine, unusual tiredness | √ | ||
| Memory problems, partial or total memory loss | √ | ||
| New rash or itching after stopping drug | √ | ||
| Restlessness with increased body movement | √ | ||
| Severe Skin Reaction: rash with small pimples and redness on the skin folds, trunk and arms, with or without fever | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
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.
Storage:
Store between 15°C and 30°C. Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about REACTINE® 20 mg Tablet:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); or by calling 1-877-322-8463.