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Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they seek medical attention immediately.
Check wi
th your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence rare
- Chest tightness ; feeling of warmth, redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper ches
t; large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs; shortness of breath, difficult or labored breathing
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Overdosage
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. In adults, the primary symptom of a Zyrtec overdose is extreme sleepiness. In children, restlessness and irritability may precede drowsine
ss. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical treatment immediately.
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Other Medicines
You should avoid drinking alcohol or taking sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, or muscle relaxants while using Zyrtec. They can lead to increased drowsiness and reduced mental alertness. Among
the products to avoid are the following:
- Antidepressants such as Tofranil, Elavil, Ludiomil, and Anafranil
- Muscle relaxants such as Valium and Soma
- Pain-relieving narcotics s
uch as codeine, Demerol, and Percocet
- Sedatives such as Nembutal, Seconal, and phenobarbital
- Sleeping pills such as Halcion, Restoril, and Ambien
- High doses of theophylline (Theo-
Dur)
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What special precautions should I follow?
Before you have any skin tests for allergies, tell the doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of the test may be affected by this medicine.
When taking antihistamines
on a regular basis, make sure your doctor knows if you are taking large amounts of aspirin at the same time (as for arthritis or rheumatism). Effects of too much aspirin, such as ringing in the ears,
may be covered up by the antihistamine.
- Antihistamines will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsines
s).
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What is this medicine
Cetirizine, an antihistamine, is used to relieve hay fever and seasonal allergy symptoms, including runny nose; sneezing; and red, itchy, tearing eyes. It also may be used to treat itching and hives t
hat result from certain skin conditions.
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How should this medicine be used?
Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of your medical problem. Take them only as directed. Do not take more of them and do not take them more often than recommended on the label,
unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
Dosing¡X
- The dose of an antihistamine will be different for different patients. Follow y
ur doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of antihistamines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you
to do so.
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