Today in pharmacies you can’t find Zirtek ointment: under this name, only drops and tablets are available. But there are a large number of ointments with other components, also effective in case of an allergic reaction. Why is Zirtek so popular and why do doctors prescribe it so often? Consider the features of this tool. Let us pay attention to ointments, which are often prescribed in case of an allergic reaction, if tablets and drops are ineffective or not applicable in a particular case.
Technical information
Instead of ointment, “Zirtek” is presented to the audience in the form of drops and tablets. Drops are designed for oral administration. Tablets are made in the form of film-coated capsules. They are made in white, have an oblong shape, both surfaces are convex. One of the sides is complemented by engraving, risk. Drops are a colorless, transparent liquid. If you sniff, you can feel a specific aroma. The main active ingredient is cetirizine hydrochloride. Each tablet contains 10 mg. One milliliter drops contains the same amount of active ingredient.
In the manufacture of tablets, opadray, cellulose, lactose, magnesium, silicon, titanium compounds were used as additional ingredients. Excipients used in the manufacture of drops are sodium molecules, acetic acid, specially prepared water, glycerol, methyl, propyl parabenzene, propylene glycol.
Pharmacology
Like some ointments presented in pharmacies, Zirtek is a product that is effective in combating allergic manifestations. The main ingredient of this drug inhibits histamine type H1 receptors. In competing mode, the agent is a histamine antagonist. At its expense, it is warned that the sensitization of the body is facilitated. The drug has inherent effects that eliminate itching and reduce the secretion of exudate.
Cetirizine, which is part of Zirtek (ointments with this substance are not yet made), is able to correct allergies at an early stage, depending on histamine. Under its influence, the release of inflammatory mediators at the late stage of sensitization is limited. Migration of neutro-, baso-, eosinophils becomes less active. The substance normalizes mast cell membranes, makes capillary walls less permeable, prevents swelling of tissues and eliminates muscle spasms. A skin reaction due to histamine takes place, the effect of the influence of specific allergens is eliminated. The course of urticaria is facilitated due to tissue cooling. The bronchial constriction on the background of histamine decreases, observed in a mild version of asthma.
The nuances of pharmacology
The instructions for use accompanying “Zirtek” (ointments with the same name cannot be bought, but there are drops and tablets) indicate the absence of an antiserotonin effect, an anticholinergic effect. Use in a therapeutically justified dose precludes sedation.
After a single consumption of 10 mg of the main ingredient, the primary effect can be seen in the first third of the hour in every second case, in 95% of patients it is fixed within the first hour. Duration exceeds 24 hours. When using the course does not appear tolerance. After stopping the therapeutic program, the effect lasts about three days.
Kinetics
There is a linear change in the kinetic parameters of the main ingredient of the drug - cetirizine, whose features are described in the instructions for use of Zirtek. There are no ointments with this substance on sale, drops, tablets are produced. Therefore, be careful not to purchase a fake.
It is noted that when used, the drug is rapidly absorbed during the passage of the gastrointestinal tract. With a single dose of therapeutic volume in an adult, the maximum concentration is fixed after an hour with a possible deviation to the greater and lesser side for half an hour. The parameter is estimated at approximately 300 units. The meal does not adjust the degree of absorption.
The ability to bind to plasma proteins is estimated at approximately 93%, and the volume of serum distribution reaches half a liter per kilo. When using 10 mg in a ten-day course, cumulative effects are not recorded.
Kinetics
As you can learn from the instructions for Zirtek (there is no ointment, but drops, tablets can be purchased at any pharmacy), the main substance that blocks histamine is slightly transformed in the liver. The reaction is dealkylation. The reaction product has no pharmacological activity. This strongly distinguishes the considered drug from other products that block histamine receptors, since the enzyme cytochrome is used for their metabolism in the liver.
The half-life of an adult is estimated at an average of 10 hours. About two-thirds of the resulting drug is eliminated by the renal system in the form of the original formula.
Features and timing
For persons of the age group from six months to two years, the half-life is estimated at 3.1 hours, for children under six years it reaches five hours, and for children under twelve years of age it is estimated at six hours. In people of advanced age, in patients with chronic liver diseases, single use is accompanied by an elongation of half-life by an average of half with a decrease in systemic clearance by 40%. With a creatinine clearance of more than 40 units, the kinetic features are similar to those recorded in the human body with healthy kidneys.
As with many other tablets, solutions, ointments, in Zirtek, the instructions indicate the difference in the kinetics of the drug in case of renal impairment. If the weakness of the organ is such that the creatinine clearance is less than seven units, the use of a standard dose is accompanied by an extension of the half-life. The term on average tripled. Systemic clearance drops by about 70% compared with those in people with normal renal function. This forces you to select a dose individually. It should be borne in mind that blood dialysis almost does not remove the active substance from the body.
When will it help?
Indications indicated in the instructions for Zirtec include angioedema. The drug is used for allergic dermatoses, if those provoked areas of rash, itching on the skin. You can use the tool to treat urticaria, including the idiopathic form of the disease. The drug is prescribed for hay fever.
He has proven himself in eliminating the symptoms of rhinitis, conjunctivitis due to allergies - equally seasonal and worrying all year round. Drops, tablets quickly and effectively stop sneezing, itching, copious separation of tears. Under the influence of the product, reddening of the tissues disappears, rhinorrhea disappears.
How to use?
Use "Zirtek" can and should be inside. Persons over six years of age are shown to take a tablet daily. An alternative is 20 drops per day. Adults are shown to use a daily dose at a time, children - split into two servings or use at one time. In some cases, you can start the course with 5 mg. It is known that for certain patients this volume is enough to achieve the desired effect.
For patients of the age group from two to six years, five drops should be taken twice daily. An alternative is a single daily intake of a dozen drops containing 5 mg of the active component.
Zirtek can be prescribed for children of one year of age. For persons not older than two years, it is shown twice a day to receive five drops of the drug. For children even younger but older than six months of age, the optimal dose is five drops daily once.
Unwanted effects
The active substance present in Zirtek can provoke thrombocytopenia, sleep disturbances, and accommodation. Some complained that they were sick and dizzy. Depression, tremor, agitation, nystagmus are possible. There is a risk of rhinitis, tachycardia, pharyngitis. There are known cases of enuresis, an allergic reaction, weight gain, stool disorders, dry mouth, and nausea. Some felt tired, others were worried about swelling and general malaise. Asthenia is possible. Studies show that any undesirable effects occur in a vanishingly small number of cases.
Sometimes you can’t
It is forbidden to use Zirtek in any way in the event of a terminal stage of renal failure. That is, conditions when creatinine clearance is less than ten units. You can not prescribe a remedy to women carrying or breastfeeding a child. In tablet form, the drug is contraindicated for children under the age of six, and in the form of drops is prohibited for babies up to six months. Do not use the product with a high level of sensitivity to any compound used by the manufacturer, as well as hydroxyzine. Contraindications are lack of lactase, hypersensitivity to galactose, malabsorption glucose-galactose syndrome.
They use the medication very carefully with the weakness of the kidneys in the form of a chronicle. The doctor should adjust the dose. It is necessary to carefully use the drug for chronic liver pathologies and in old age. The latter is explained by the danger of glomerular filtration deterioration.
Is it worth it to apply?
As you can conclude from the reviews, the instruction of Zirtek is simple and understandable, the reception rules do not cause any confusion. Those who use the product recognize its reliability. It is extremely rare to see complaints about unwanted effects of the course in the responses. Users recognize: both drops and tablets help very quickly, the effect is stable, reliable, pronounced.
Is there an alternative?
Several analogues of Zirtek are on the market. The instructions for such drugs contain an indication of the same main active ingredient - cetirizine. Potential alternatives include:
- "Alerza".
- The Zodak.
- "Cetirizine."
Among the entire variety of cetirizine-containing products, ointments cannot be found. There are only a variety of drugs for internal use. The choice of alternative is recommended to be agreed with the doctor. Reviews about Zirtek's analogues containing cetirizine are mostly just as positive. This is due to the quality of this substance, good tolerance by the human body.
True, the best impressions are all the same for those who use the drugs prescribed by the doctor, and also regularly undergo examinations. Self-medication can cause unwanted and unpredictable effects. When studying responses on the effectiveness of the drug, special attention should be paid to the supplemented photos. "Zirtek", as well as its main alternatives, in such sources is mainly presented as a reliable and safe tool.
Ointments for allergies: Advantan
Of course, one cannot say which is better: Zirtek or Advantan. The first is intended for systemic use, the second is used locally, it helps to alleviate the condition of a single focus, manifested due to the sensitization reaction. "Advantan" is available in the form of ointment, emulsion, cream. All forms are intended for local external application. The main ingredient is methylprednisolone aceponate.
One gram of drug contains one milligram of the active ingredient. The medication is classified as glucocorticosteroids for local application. External use of a pharmaceutical product can suppress inflammation, an allergic reaction. In addition, the remedy is effective for increased proliferation, inflammatory symptoms, subjective manifestations of adverse reactions.
Local application is associated with a minimal risk of a systemic effect in both humans and animals. Repeated application over large areas (about half of the entire skin of the body) is not accompanied by a violation of the adrenal function. There is no such thing when using the product under an occlusive dressing. Circadian rhythms remain stable, cortisol in the blood serum is normal, in the daily urine, the concentration of the substance does not change.
About security
Tests were conducted for a duration of 12 weeks involving minors. In parallel, they organized a four-week study involving children, including minors. Not a single case of skin atrophy or striae was detected, rashes of the type of acne did not appear, and the appearance of telangiectasia was not recorded.
Methylprednisolone aceponate and the main product of its transformation in the body are able to enter into communication with specific receptors located inside the cells. The complex explains the change in the immune response, initiates a cascade of biological reactions.
When will it help?
You can find out about this by studying the instructions in the block devoted to the testimony (as well as in the description of what Zirtek helps, instructions). Cream and ointment, as well as ointment with a high level of fat content, are prescribed for inflammatory skin pathologies, the cure of which can be achieved using steroid medications. Among these diagnoses are true, microbial, pediatric, dyshidrotic and due to the professional activity of eczema, as well as dermatitis - a simple, allergic, atopic. The drug is prescribed for neurodermatitis.
An emulsion is used if a person suffers from atopic, contact, allergic, seborrheic, photodermatitis. You can use the emulsion "Advantan" to combat eczema types: children's, true, due to microbes. The tool is used if a person received a sunburn.
Application rules
"Advantan" is intended for outdoor use. Unlike Zirtek, this product is available in the form of an ointment (as well as a cream, emulsion). It is used at the age of more than four months. The drug is applied once a day, distributing a thin layer over the diseased areas. Adults can use the product for up to 12 weeks in a row, children - no more than a four-week course. The emulsion is usually prescribed for two weeks or more short-term use.
Since there is a little fat and a lot of water in the cream, this form is optimal for acute inflammatory process, subacute course, if there is no strong soaking. In the ointment, the amount of water, fatty fractions is balanced, so the form is suitable for the chronicle, a subacute process, if there is no wetting. The ointment not only heals the integument, but also normalizes the level of fat content, moisture saturation.
Fatty ointment does not contain water and is optimal for use with increased dryness of the integument. The emulsion is applicable only if there is no severe dryness. If the use of the composition is accompanied by such an effect, you need to change the form to ointment.
The drug "Elokom"
This ointment, effective, as well as preparations of the Zirtek line, in case of allergy, works due to the inclusion of mometasone furoate in its composition. One gram of product contains milligrams of active substance. The product is soft, uniform, white or close to white in color. There should be no additional ingredients. The main substance is an artificially manufactured glucocorticosteroid for local use. It is inherent in the ability to deal with the secretion of exudate, itching and inflammatory foci.
The drug is indicated for itching, inflammation, accompanying dermatosis. The drug is prescribed if the disease can be treated with steroid drugs. The drug is used for psoriasis, it is resorted to in case of atopic dermatitis. "Elok" is prescribed to patients from the age of two.
"Elokom" can not be used with rosacea and ordinary acne. The drug is prohibited for skin atrophy and is contraindicated in some forms of dermatitis. It is not used for itching of the perianal region, genitals. A steroid is not indicated if infection with viruses, bacteria, fungi is established. Contraindications are syphilis, tuberculosis, ulcers. Hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the product is possible. In this case, the use of Ekol ointment is not allowed.