Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Rhinaris Relief
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
RHINARIS RELIEF is indicated for fast, long-lasting relief of allergy symptoms, including: nasal congestion/stuffiness, itchy nose/throat, itchy, watery, eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and post-nasal discharge caused by seasonal allergies (e.g. trees, grass, pollen, ragweed/hay fever) and itching due to allergic skin reactions, such as hives, in adults and children 2 years of age and over. In adults and children over 12 years of age, RHINARIS RELIEF has also been proven effective in relieving the symptoms of year-round allergies (e.g. dust, animal dander, mold). Relief of these symptoms lasts a full day and helps you to resume your normal daily activities and sleep.
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 called histamine which binds to specific histamine receptors in your skin and tissues. The resulting reaction causes itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and runny nose. RHINARIS RELIEF 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. RHINARIS RELIEF anti-inflammatory properties also help by reducing swelling and related symptoms, including redness and hives (red, itchy bumps or welts on your skin).
What other things can I do for my allergies? Keep pollens out. Keep windows closed. Use an air conditioner. Stay informed about pollen seasons and levels in your region. Plan outdoor activities. Stay inside on warm and windy days. Most plants pollinate in the morning. Stay indoors until later. Stay away from big pollen producers like birch, ash, maple, oak and walnut trees.
Hire someone to cut your grass.
Remove pets if possible. Keep them out of bedrooms.
Keep a dust-free home. Remove carpets, keep furnace ducts clean and vacuum often.
Control dust mites. Encase your mattress in a proper dust mite barrier and wash bedding often in very hot water.
Stay away from those foods, medications, insects, or even dyes and plants, that may cause itchy, irritating rashes called hives (urticaria).
When it should not be used:
RHINARIS RELIEF (cetirizine hydrochloride) is contraindicated in those patients with a known hypersensitivity to it or to its parent compound, hydroxyzine, 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 important nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Non-medicinal ingredients include: corn starch, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, povidone and titanium dioxide.
What dosage forms it comes in:
RHINARIS RELIEF (cetirizine hydrochloride) Tablets are available as 5 or 10 mg scored tablets packaged in individually sealed blisters in 20 and 30 tablets for the 5 mg and in 10, 20 and 30 tablets and in bottle of 50 and 100 tablets for the 10 mg. They are also available by prescription as 20 mg tablets in bottle of 100 tablets.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
BEFORE you use RHINARIS RELIEF Tablets talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or nursing a baby, or have liver or kidney disease. RHINARIS RELIEF is non-drowsy and let’s you perform normally, however, some people can experience drowsiness due to allergies or antihistamine use. If drowsiness does occur, do not drive or operate machinery. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
RHINARIS RELIEF - Product Monograph Page 37 of 37 INTERACTION WITH THIS MEDICATION
Do not use RHINARIS RELIEF 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
Usual dose:
Tablets (taken with or without food):
Adults and children 12 years of age and over: 1 or 2 Regular Strength (5 mg) tablets or 1 Extra Strength (10 mg) tablet, depending on the severity of symptoms, once daily. If sufficient relief is not obtained, consult a physician. Adults 65 years of age and over: 1 Regular Strength (5 mg) tablet once daily. Consult a doctor if unsure about dosage.
If you do not get the results you expect, talk with your doctor. RHINARIS RELIEF comes in different doses (5 mg, 10 mg). You and your doctor can determine the dose that works best for you.
Overdose:
Overdose has been reported with RHINARIS RELIEF. Symptoms reported after an overdose of at least five times the recommended daily dose are: confusion, diarrhea, dizziness, sleepiness, headache, fatigue, itching, restlessness, sedation, drowsiness, lowered level of consciousness, rapid heartbeat, tremor and inability to urinate. 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. If emergency help is not available, vomiting should be induced at once by Syrup of Ipecac. VOMITING SHOULD NEVER BE INDUCED IN UNCONSCIOUS INDIVIDUALS OR IN CHILDREN UNDER 1 YEAR WITHOUT MEDICAL HELP.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
The most common side effects associated with RHINARIS RELIEF are headache, sleepiness and dry mouth. If these side effects do not go away, call your doctor or pharmacist.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking RHINARIS RELIEF, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Store at temperatures between 15° and 30°C.
MORE INFORMATION
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be obtained by contacting the sponsor, Pendopharm, division of/de Pharmascience Inc, at: 1-888-550-6060
Last revised: November 4, 2008
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
To monitor drug safety, Health Canada through the Canada Vigilance Program collects information on serious and unexpected side effects of drugs. If you suspect you have had a serious or unexpected reaction to this drug you may notify Canada Vigilance.
By toll-free telephone: 866-234-2345
By toll-free fax: 866-678-6789
Online: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect By email: CanadaVigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
By regular mail:
Canada Vigilance National Office
Marketed Health Products Safety and
Effectiveness Information Bureau
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Tunney’s Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of the side effect, please contact your health care provider before notifying Canada Vigilance. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.