Sooner or later antihistamines are necessary for every person. They are produced by modern manufacturers in the form of tablets, drops, syrups, nasal sprays and so on. An individual remedy is selected depending on the type of pathology. One of the commonly prescribed drugs is the Zodak. An analogue (cheaper and more expensive) will be presented to your attention in the article. You will also learn about some of the information provided in the instructions for use.
Release form and characteristics of the drug
An analogue of the Zodak medicine will be presented to your attention later. Before this, it is worth saying about the types of medication. The medicine is available in the form of tablets, drops and syrup. The main active ingredient of all drugs is cetirizine. Also, depending on the type of product, there may be additional components.
The cost of the drug depends on what type you are acquiring. Drops cost the consumer an average of about 250 rubles. The volume of the bottle is 20 milliliters. Pills cost about 150 rubles. Such a pack includes 10 pills, each of which contains 10 milligrams of the active substance. There are also tablets containing 5 milligrams of cetirizine. Their number is 28 pieces, the price is 500 rubles. An important role in the cost of the drug is played by the region of your residence. Therefore, find out the exact price in the nearest pharmacies.
Analogs of the "Zodak"
Substitutes for the drug can be absolute and relative. In the first case, we are talking about tools that have in their composition the same active substance. In this case, you should pay attention to the dose of cetirizine in the drug.
The absolute analogues of Zodak are the following drugs: Zirtek, Cetrin, Alerza, Zintzet, Allertek, Parpazin, Letizen and so on. All drugs can have a different form of release. Most often these are tablets and drops for internal use. Note that, despite the identical composition, many drugs have different limitations and methods of use. Therefore, before using this or that medicine, you should carefully study the instructions for use.
Zodak: analogue is cheaper
Many consumers try to save on their treatment. They choose analogues of the Zodak, which are much cheaper. Such an alternative is really possible. However, it is worthwhile to consult with your doctor. Wrong selection of medication can do much harm to you. It is especially dangerous to replace the original medicine with its relative analogues, which have other active substances in their composition. The following trade names of medicines can be attributed to inexpensive substitutes for the drug:
- "Lethizen" (tablets of 10 pcs.) - 100 rubles;
- "Parlazin" (tablets of 10 pcs.) - 120 rubles;
- "Parlazin" (drops) - 230 rubles;
- "Cetirizine" (tablets of 10 pcs.) - 70 rubles;
- "Cetirizine" (drops) - 200 rubles;
- "Cetrin" (tablets of 10 pcs.) - 100 rubles.
Relative analogues of the drug, but cheaper in price, include Tavegil, Suprastin and others. Also, to some extent, substitutes for this medication include nasal sprays "Nazivin", "Vibrocil", "Tizin", "Galazolin", "Avamis", "Nazonex" and so on. They are designed to correct seasonal rhinitis and pathology of viral origin. A feature of their use is a permissible short period of time. Doctors strongly advise against saving on your health. Experts recommend purchasing only the drugs prescribed for you.
Prescription of medicines
Analogs of the "Zodaka", like the drug itself, belong to antihistamines. They are taken with an allergic reaction of a different nature. Instructions for use indicate the following indications for the use of drugs:
- seasonal rhinitis and conjunctivitis caused by flowering plants;
- allergy to cats, pets, dust;
- dermatitis and dermatosis, accompanied by itching and rash;
- hay fever and urticaria;
- Quincke's edema;
- allergy to food and drugs.
An analogue of the Zodak preparation, like the medicine itself, can be prescribed by doctors in the treatment of colds and otitis media. So, with nasal congestion of a bacterial or viral etiology, the medication relieves edema. Also, with otitis media, the drug has a positive effect on the state of the Eustachian tube. Most adenoiditis are treated together with antihistamines, which is Zodak.
Contraindications
Analogues of the "Zodaka" based on cetirizine are contraindicated for use with hypersensitivity to the active substance. In other cases, you need to individually consider each medicine. Be sure to read the annotation before applying the composition.
The medicine "Zodak" is not prescribed for bronchospasm, cough of non-allergic etiology, severe kidney and liver diseases. It is forbidden to use the medicine for pregnant women and nursing mothers. Drops for internal use are not prescribed for children under 12 months of age. Syrup and tablets have an age limit of 2 years.
Method of use
What does the application instruction say to the consumer about the Zodak preparation? (Analogues of the drug are prescribed in different doses - pay attention to this.) The annotation states that the antihistamine is taken exclusively by mouth. In this case, you need to drink it with water. Tablets should not be pre-crushed or chewed. Drops can be dissolved in a small amount of clean water. The syrup is taken unchanged.
The dosage of the drug depends on its form of release and the age of the patient. Children after a year are prescribed 5 drops twice a day. After 2 years, you can give the child half a tablet or 10 drops once a day. Adult patients are recommended 1 tablet or 20 drops of the drug per day. It is preferable to take the medication at the same time. The duration of therapy is determined by the doctor and depends on the symptoms and individual characteristics of the human body.
Adverse reactions
The drug "Zodak", its analogues on the basis of cetirizine, are mostly well tolerated by patients. However, the instructions indicate possible adverse reactions. Pay attention to them. If you experience any negative symptoms after taking the drug, then you should stop treatment and consult a doctor immediately.
Among the side effects, an allergy to incoming components can be distinguished. Also, with the internal use of any medicine, including drug substitutes, there may be abdominal pain, increased flatulence. The medicine can have a sedative effect, which is manifested by weakness, drowsiness, blurred consciousness. Especially vividly such reactions occur when the dosage and dosage regimen are not observed.
Reviews about antihistamines
Consumers say that if the Zodak drug (drops) is prescribed, it is better not to choose analogues for children. Most drug substitutes are contraindicated in children under 6 years of age. Some have a limit of 2. However, a substitute such as Zirtek is approved for use from the age of 6 months. Moreover, it costs a little more than the considered drug.
Parents of children who were prescribed a medicine for allergies report that the effect is noticeable from the first days of admission. In this case, often the tool is combined with the use of sorbents. They are necessary to remove the allergen from the body. A feature of such treatment is a break. Between the use of an antihistamine and a sorbent there should be a time period of at least two hours. If the drug is used before bedtime, then other means are best used in the morning or at lunchtime.
Positive reviews about the described medicine are also heard in the treatment of rhinitis of various etiologies. Even if the common cold is not caused by an allergen, the use of the drug facilitates nasal breathing. The medication relieves swelling, improves the absorption of drugs. Often this medicine is prescribed with the prevention of otitis media.
Doctors often prescribe this drug to their patients. It is recognized as one of the affordable and safe means. At the same time, the effect of it is noticeable always and almost immediately, subject to the use of the drug.
Little conclusion
You learned about the Zodak medication. Drops have different analogues. Many of them are in the form of tablets and sprays. The described tool should not be used without a doctor's prescription. Often, an individual dose of the drug and a separate dosage regimen are selected for the patient. Remember that all medicines have their side effects. Therefore, they must be used carefully and in a strictly allotted time.
The undoubted advantages of the Zodak preparation are its cost and the possibility of eliminating funds for local use. Thus, a consumer with rhinitis of various etiologies may refuse to use vasoconstrictors. Recall that they can be used no more than 5 (and in some cases three) days. For a qualified and effective treatment, contact a specialist. I wish you success, be healthy!