Currently, in children, unwanted reactions are increasingly detected, manifested by itching, rashes, swelling of the skin. As allergens, as a rule, care products, medicines, food, pets and plants. If an unwanted reaction is detected, it is important to promptly stop the symptoms that cause the child expressed discomfort. For this purpose, the "Zodak" was created - a modern antihistamine that eliminates the signs of allergies in a short time. The drug has several forms of release, making it convenient to give to both infants and older children.
Indications
Pediatricians prescribe "Zodak" if the child has the following pathological conditions:
- Conjunctivitis and rhinitis of an allergic nature (both seasonal and year-round).
- Pollinosis. This is a condition characterized by an increased degree of sensitivity of the body's defense system to plant pollen.
- Hives. These are rashes of an allergic nature that accompany the development of dermatitis and other skin diseases.
- Quincke's edema. A dangerous condition, which is a reaction of the body to the effects of biological or chemical irritants.
The list of indications can be expanded in the process of individual consultation with the pediatrician. So, it is very often prescribed "Zodak" with chickenpox in children. The drug in a short time eliminates burning, excruciating itching and swelling. In addition, it reduces the risk of developing adverse reactions to other medications and minimizes the likelihood of complications of chickenpox.
Release Forms
Currently, the "Zodak" is implemented in the form of:
- Drops Outwardly, they are a transparent liquid, the shade of which can vary from colorless to pale yellow. Drops are poured into 20 ml bottles made of dark glass. Each container is placed in an individual cardboard box. Drops for children "Zodak" is allowed to use for the treatment of babies whose age is equal to or more than 6 months.
- Pills. Outwardly they have an oblong shape, the pills are coated. The color of the tablets is white. On the one hand, each of them has a risk intended for precise separation. Each tablet is packaged in an individual blister cell. Then the latter are placed in a cardboard box. In the secondary packaging, the following number of blisters can be: 1 (7 or 10 pills), 3 (10 each), 6 (10 each), 9 (10 each) or 10 (10 each). It is allowed to offer "Zodak" in tablets to children whose age is equal to or more than 6 years.
- Syrup. The liquid is a transparent emulsion, the color of which may either be absent or have a yellowish tint. The syrup is poured into dark glass bottles with a capacity of 100 ml. Each of them is placed in an individual cardboard box. The secondary packaging also contains a measuring spoon. Syrup for children "Zodak" is allowed to offer children over 2 years of age.
Thus, the drug has several forms of release, making it convenient to take for both adults and infants.
Composition, mechanism of action
The active substance of the drug is cetirizine dihydrochloride. In 1 tablet and in 1 ml drop it is contained in a dosage of 10 mg, in 5 ml of syrup - 5 mg.
According to the instructions, the "Zodak" for children begins its action 1 hour after administration (in 95% of cases), less often - after 20 minutes (in half of the patients). Once in the body, the active substance is absorbed into the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract in a short time.
Cetirizine dihydrochloride has the following positive effect:
- It blocks the receptors responsible for the development of adverse reactions.
- Prevents the appearance of allergies.
- Eliminates the symptoms of adverse reactions.
- Prevents cell migration from the focus of inflammation.
- Suppresses the production of substances that are involved in the development of late allergies.
- Reduces capillary permeability.
- Prevents the development of swelling of tissues.
- Eliminates cramping.
- It relieves skin reactions that appear against the background of the introduction of histamine.
According to the research, the drug does not accumulate in the body with a treatment course of 10 days (tests were performed in individuals whose daily dosage of “Zodak” was 10 mg).
About 70% of the drug is excreted unchanged through the organs of the urinary system. The maximum concentration of the active substance is detected 40-60 minutes after ingestion of the drug inside. The half-life for children is about 5 hours.
Contraindications
According to the instructions, "Zodak" for children is not prescribed if the child has an individual intolerance to cetirizine dihydrochloride or auxiliary components presented in the composition of the drug.
A relative contraindication is functional renal failure of a chronic nature of moderate and severe degree. In such cases, the pediatrician makes adjustments to the treatment regimen and monitors the condition of the child.
Many parents worry about the age at which the Zodak is allowed. It all depends on the form of release. It is not recommended to offer the drug in the form of drops for children under 6 months of age. The tablet form is contraindicated for up to 6 years. Syrup is not recommended for children under the age of 2 years.
Instructions for use
A single or daily dosage of "Zodak" is determined by the pediatrician. When calculating it, it takes into account the severity of symptoms, the severity of the underlying disease and individual health characteristics. If the doctor has not indicated recommendations, it is necessary to use the standard treatment regimen reflected in the instructions to the “Zodak” for children.
There are rules to follow when taking the drug:
- Do not exceed the daily dosage. The doctor can divide it more times than indicated in the instructions. To avoid overdose, it is important to strictly control the total amount of medication taken.
- If the reception was missed, it is necessary to give the child the drug immediately, as soon as the parents remembered him.
- The medication is allowed to be used at any time of the day. Reception is not tied to a meal, and therefore it can be done before, during or after a meal.
- The tablets must be swallowed whole. It is forbidden to chew or pre-grind them. It is recommended to drink them with a small amount of clean still water. If the child does not want to take a tablet form, you can offer him drops or syrup. But if necessary, you need to adjust the dosage.
- For children from 6 months, the drug is dripped directly into the oral cavity. Shake or pre-dilute the product in a liquid is not necessary (but not prohibited).
Drops from Zodak allergy for children should be taken as follows:
- If the age of the child is from 6 to 12 months, the dosage is calculated by the pediatrician. Admission should be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor. The maximum daily dosage is 5 drops 1 time per day.
- Children whose age is from 1 year to 6 years. The drug must be taken twice a day for 5 drops. This is equivalent to 2.5 mg of active substance.
- Scheme of taking a drop of "Zodak" for children aged 6 to 12 years: 5 mg twice a day.
The bottle cap with the tool is equipped with a special safety device. This prevents the child from accidentally swallowing drops. In order to open the container, it is necessary to strongly press the lid and at the same time unscrew it counterclockwise. After taking the drug, the bottle must be closed again.
Zodak tablets are prescribed for children whose age is from 6 to 12 years. The dosage regimen in this case is as follows: 1 tablet 1 time per day. The maximum daily dose is 10 mg. It is allowed to divide it into 2 doses.
Dosage regimen of the drug in the form of a syrup:
- Children, whose age is from 2 to 6 years. It is necessary to take 1 scoop (5 mg of active ingredient) 1 time per day.
- Children from 6 to 12 years old. The daily dosage is 10 mg of cetirizine (2 scoops). It is allowed to take the drug 1 or 2 times. The daily dosage should not be exceeded.
The cap of the syrup bottle is also equipped with a special security system. In order to open the tank, you need to apply the above method.
Information on how long the “Zodak” can be taken for a child should be provided by the attending physician based on anamnesis. In some cases, the duration of the course can be several months.
Nuances
Before you start taking the drug, you need to consider some points:
- The drug is prescribed with caution to children suffering from chronic renal failure, epilepsy and liver diseases. In this case, the doctor should adjust the dosage.
- The active substance increases the risk of urinary retention, and therefore the drug is prescribed with caution in children with spinal cord injuries.
- If you plan to carry out allergological tests, for 3 days you need to stop taking the medication.
- The drug can inhibit the central nervous system. In this regard, for children under one year of age, the “Zodak” can be a potential danger, but only if the following factors are present: apnea syndrome, drug or tobacco dependence in the mother during pregnancy, constant sleep of the baby face down, prematurity, insufficient body weight, simultaneous reception several medications that negatively affect the central nervous system. The threat is that in the presence of at least one of the above conditions, there is a risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
In order to avoid complications, parents should provide the pediatrician with information regarding all the features of the child’s health.
Side effects
According to the instructions, the "Zodak" for children is safe if you strictly follow the prescribed treatment regimen. During clinical trials in which children from 6 to 12 years old participated, it was revealed that in rare cases the following side effects occur:
- Thrombocytopenia.
- Anaphylactic shock.
- Psycho-emotional arousal.
- Aggression.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Confusion.
- Hallucinations.
- Teak.
- Depressive conditions.
- Sensory Disorders.
- Muscle cramps.
- Change in taste.
- Dyskinesia.
- Fainting.
- Memory losses.
- Tremor.
- Nystagmus.
- Visual impairment.
- Loss of balance during motor activity.
- Tachycardia.
- Diarrhea.
- Increased appetite.
- Itching of the skin.
- Rashes.
- Urinary retention.
- Enuresis.
- Swelling.
- Weight gain.
- General malaise.
Despite the impressive list of side effects of the “Zodak” for children, complications arise in isolated cases. Most often, diarrhea, drowsiness, and increased fatigue develop. These conditions go away on their own shortly after discontinuation of the drug, they are not grounds for immediate medical attention. With the development of more serious side effects (for example, with hallucinations, severe aggression, depression, etc.), it is recommended to visit a pediatrician.
Overdose
This condition occurs with a single dose of cetirizine in an amount of 50 mg. To avoid overdose, parents need to tightly close the bottle with drops or syrup and store the medication in a place that children cannot access.
Symptoms of excessive intake of Zirtek:
- impaired consciousness, its confusion;
- dizziness;
- pronounced drowsiness;
- physical and emotional inhibition;
- increased weakness;
- stupor;
- causeless concern;
- psycho-emotional instability;
- itching
- tremor;
- urine retention;
- tachycardia;
- diarrhea or, on the contrary, constipation;
- dry mouth.
If the parents find signs of a drug overdose in the child, they should cause him to vomit or flush his stomach. With a pronounced deterioration in well-being, it is recommended to call an ambulance team. Before the doctors arrive, you need to give your child activated charcoal or another sorbent drug (for example, Enterosgel or Polysorb). Doctors provide supportive and symptomatic treatment.
Currently, the antidote for an overdose of "Zodac" is unknown. Hemodialysis is also an ineffective procedure.
Analogs
Zodak is an antihistamine. Currently, the pharmaceutical market sells many kinds of medicines of similar action.
The most commonly prescribed analogues of the "Zodak":
- Zirtek. Available in the form of a drop and tablets. The first is allowed to give to children from 6 months, the second - from 6 years.
- "Cetirizine." It is sold only in tablet form. It is allowed to include this drug in the treatment regimen for children over the age of 6 years.
- "Parlazin." An antihistamine drug that eliminates the symptoms of an unwanted reaction in a short time. Available in the form of drops and tablets. The first are intended for children from 1 year, the second - from 6 years.
- "Lethizen." The tool is designed to quickly stop the symptoms of allergies. It is realized in the form of tablets and a drop. The first are for children whose age is 6 years and older, the second - for babies from 1 year.
- Cetirinax. In a short time has a therapeutic effect. The only drawback of the medication is that it is available only in the form of tablets. Only children over 6 years old are allowed to take them.
- "Zinzet". Available in the form of tablets and syrup. The latter is allowed to offer children from 2 years.
- "Alerza". Available only in the form of tablets that can be offered to children over 6 years old.
And the indications, and contraindications, and side effects of the drugs-analogues of "Zodak" are identical.
Finally
Currently, various kinds of allergic reactions in infants and older children are not uncommon. In order to quickly stop unpleasant and sometimes painful symptoms, pediatricians prescribe "Zodak". This is a modern antihistamine drug, the effect of which begins, as a rule, 1 hour after administration. The duration of the course of treatment and the dosage regimen are determined by the attending physician. Unless otherwise indicated by the pediatrician, follow the recommendations reflected in the instructions for use. In addition, you need to pay attention to age restrictions, which are different for each form of the drug.