According to reviews, Zirtek is one of the most popular antihistamines that are actively used in the practice of treating children. Although it is worth remembering that no drug can be universal. Parents need to understand in detail how to properly use the drug for small patients. In this matter, it is necessary to focus not only on reviews about Zirtek drops. This medicine has a number of analogues. In this article, we will study in detail the instructions and reviews about Zirtek, as well as the indications and contraindications to it.
Allergy in children
Allergies in the modern world are a very common disease. A third of the world's population suffers from it. Unfortunately, this problem is quite acute even in the first years of life of young children. This is primarily due to the fact that the child’s body is in the stage of formation, formation and development. In children, food allergies are the most common form. For the diagnosis of diseases, various schemes and methods are used. Drug therapy, especially in the case of newborn babies, is not recommended, and possible preparations for older children are presented in a small list. Unfortunately, allergies can occur with serious and dangerous complications, such as Quincke's edema. In order to protect their baby from allergies, parents must know what can primarily cause the development of diseases.
The main drugs in the fight against allergies remain antihistamines. We will write a little more about what medicines exist for children, in what moments they are used.
In order to understand why allergy medications are necessary, it is important to understand the mechanism of the process:
- When an allergen initially enters the body, it gets acquainted with the immune system, antibodies are produced. They settle on the cell membrane.
- With the repeated penetration of the allergen, antibodies are formed even more, and the cell bursts.
- Biologically active substances appear that affect organs and tissues. There are many active substances, but the main one is histamine.
It is necessary to block histamine. Allergy medications are aimed precisely at this, because they cope perfectly with the process of blocking this dangerous substance.
Description of the medicine "Zirtek"
"Zirtek" is a medicine of the second generation of anti-allergy drugs. According to reviews, drops from Zirtek allergy for children have proven to be an effective tool, as, indeed, tablets for adults. The drug quickly and successfully copes with various symptoms of allergies. Although it is worth noting that a tangible result can be achieved only in complex treatment, in combination with other means. This is especially true in the treatment of asthma. It is proved that the use of Zirtek in the treatment of this disease brings tangible relief of the symptoms of the disease. According to reviews, Zirtek is used in the treatment of viral infections, symptomatic itching and various inflammations on the skin.
pharmachologic effect
Zyrtec is a drug that blocks histamine H1 receptors.
Both drops and Zirtek tablets, according to reviews, have increased bioavailability. The drug is almost completely absorbed from the digestive tract. The maximum concentration in the blood reaches after half an hour, a maximum of an hour. Although, judging by the reviews of Zirtek, it begins to help with allergies about twenty minutes after consumption. The dosage is 10 mg, in 95% of patients the effect of the drug remains for a day. The drug is excreted by the kidneys. In young patients, the half-life lasts: from six months to two years - three hours; from two to six years - five hours; from six to twelve years - six hours. The patient’s skin restores its normal state and response to histamine three days after the end of the use of the drug. The use of Zirtek in therapeutic doses (10 mg per day) improves the quality of life of patients with chronic and seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Appointments
According to the instructions and reviews about Zirtek, the drug is prescribed for adults and children (from one year and older) when the following pathologies are identified:
- chronic and allergic rhinitis;
- conjunctivitis on the background of allergies;
- hay fever;
- urticaria and Quincke's edema;
- allergic dermatoses.
Contraindications
In general, the drug does not have contraindications for use. Only personal sensitivity to the components of Zirtek may be observed. It is also not recommended to give it to children under 6 months.
Application for carrying a child and natural feeding
It is advisable to abandon the use of Zirtek when carrying a child. Since the active component is excreted in mother's milk, if it is necessary to prescribe a medication during lactation, a decision should be made to stop natural feeding. Although in practice no negative effect of the drug on the fetus has been established.
special instructions
When using Zirtek in prescribed doses, the effect of alcohol is not enhanced. Nevertheless, according to reviews of Zirtek, adults are advised to refrain from drinking alcohol while using the medication.
The influence of Zirtek on the ability to drive a car has not been established. Also, when using the drug in the prescribed dose, it is permissible to engage in especially dangerous types of work. Since research on this issue did not reveal a negative effect of the drug on human performance.
Composition and form of release
In Russia, two forms of Zirtek are produced: drops and tablets. The active ingredient is cetirizine. The composition of the drops and tablets is distinguished by auxiliary components.
The advantages of cetirizine in the form of a solution include:
- the possibility of use at a young age, this is especially important for atopic dermatitis, affecting children aged one to two years;
- lack of starch in the structure of the drug;
- dosing with accuracy;
- lack of unwanted taste.
You should not be afraid to use Zirtek for children. According to reviews and instructions, the preparation contains acetic acid. But this substance is not dangerous for a child in itself, since in this medicine its share is 0.08% in one ml, that is, less than 1% in the entire volume of Zirtek medicine. So, in 1 ml (twenty drops) of the drug there is:
- cetirizine hydrochloride 10 mg;
- glycerol;
- propylene glycol;
- saccharinate and sodium acetate;
- methyl parahydroxybenzoate;
- acetic acid;
- water.
Dosage and route of administration
According to reviews, Zirtek drops are not addictive. Although, anyway, it is worth remembering that the correct dosage for children is a very important and subtle issue. In order for the therapy to go smoothly, without negative effects, overdose and other undesirable consequences, you need to follow the instructions exactly and know how to give the medicine to the child and at what dosage.
The most important thing to remember is that drops give the child c 6-12 months, and tablets - from six years.
The medication is prescribed orally in the following dosage (per day):
- up to a year, 2.5 mg (five drops) are prescribed once;
- from one to six years, 2.5 mg (five drops) twice;
- from six to twelve years, 5 mg (ten drops) twice;
- over twelve years of 10 mg (twenty drops) once.
Children over six years of age are allowed to prescribe pills, in which case the dosage is as follows:
- from six to twelve years, 5 mg twice a day;
- over twelve years of 10 mg (one tablet) once a day.
Side effects and overdose
According to reviews and instructions, Zirtek is considered safe for children. But this does not exclude the likelihood of developing negative actions:
- mild and rapidly passing drowsiness, fatigue, convulsions;
- change in stool, increased appetite;
- dry mouth
- heart palpitations;
- visual impairment;
- skin rashes, angioedema.
Judging by the reviews of Zirtek, nausea and vomiting do not occur after using the drug, and if they occur, this serves as an indication for examining the digestive system or as a sign of personal intolerance to the medication. An overdose develops with a single dose of 50 mg of the drug (five tablets or one hundred drops) and is manifested by the following symptoms:
- confusion of consciousness;
- Anxiety
- diarrhea.
Remember that negative effects are extremely rare, usually they are weakly expressed and passing character.
Storage conditions
The shelf life of the drug in any dosage form is five years. The medicine should be stored at temperatures up to 25 ° C in places inaccessible to children and animals.
Analogs
According to reviews, Zirtek's analogues are a way out of the situation with personal intolerance to the components of the drug. We list the main generics:
- "Cetirizine Vertex". This is a second-generation drug with a fast onset of action and its long duration. The use of the medication is justified in cases where long-term treatment of allergic diseases is required: urticaria, rhinitis.
- "Zodak" is a second-generation anti-allergic drug, has a prolonged effect. The medicine is produced in the Czech Republic in the form of drops, tablets and syrup. In the form of drops or syrup, a medication is often prescribed to relieve allergy symptoms in young children. In testing, the focus was on safety. Moreover, as experts have found out, in a child under two years of age, the likelihood of negative reactions is much lower than in adults.
- Parlazin. The advantages of the drug are: high bioavailability compared to analogues, rapid absorption and therapeutic effect, the existence of several forms of release (syrup, tablets), as well as the presence of a release form in drops for small children.
- "Letizen". The main disadvantage is the low bioavailability of the drug in comparison with analogues. The main advantages are recognized: rapid absorption and therapeutic effect, the presence of the release form in drops and a low price, compared to analogues.
Comparison of Zirtek and Zodak
Allergies or dermatitis in young children is a fairly common problem that many parents face. Among antihistamines, doctors often recommend two basic drugs - Zirtek and Zodak, considering them to be interchangeable. But the difference in cost makes parents think which drug is better, because every loving mom or caring dad wants the drug to be not only effective, but also not have a negative effect on the baby's body. People often think what is best for a child - Zirtek or Zodak? Let's try to give a detailed answer to this question.
These two drugs do not allow an increase in the amount of histamine in the body of a small child. Under normal conditions, this hormone helps maintain important functions of the patient's body. But with some diseases, as well as when certain substances are exposed to the body, the amount of histamine increases. The composition of the medicines "Zirtek" and "Zodak" includes the main active component that blocks the increase in histamine H1 receptors. Both medicines help stop the flow of allergic reactions and relieve them, have an effective effect against itching.
If we compare the negative effects, then with the use of these drugs they develop extremely rarely. The sedative effect of the medication "Zodak" is less or not pronounced. Among the negative reactions of the body to this drug, they notice: decreased urination, discomfort in the mouth, dizziness, weakness, headache, dilated pupils, agitation, allergic reactions, diarrhea (diarrhea), and abdominal pain.
When taking Zirtek, the same side effects on the body are possible. They also add visual impairment, rhinitis, pharyngitis, liver dysfunction, weight gain. But they develop infrequently. Thus, the negative effects on the body from the "Zodak" is observed less.
The difference between the anti-allergic drugs "Zirtek" and "Zodak" still lies in the age restrictions for use. Zirtek drops can be prescribed to babies from six months, and children over six years old already take pills. Syrup "Zodak" should not be given to children under the age of one year, and tablets - under two years of age.
Differ from each other and the cost of these drugs.
Many mothers and fathers note that the Zodak drug is faster and more effective than Zirtek. Although, it depends on the personal perception of the drug by the body of a small child.
Total: if you compare "Zirtek" and "Zodak", it can be noted that they have a lot in common. At the same time, there are differences. When answering the question whether Zirtek and Zodak are interchangeable, the answer is yes, since these drugs have the same effect against allergies. Although, before you go to the pharmacy for medicine, you should consult with your doctor. He will certainly help you in choosing the most suitable remedy for the child.
Reviews
Thus, the instructions for use, reviews about "Zirtek" and analogues of the drug are reduced to a number of conclusions:
- The duration of antihistamine therapy is determined solely by the allergist. The course can be short or long, up to several months.
- If a small patient takes the medicine well, then it can be given without diluting in water.
- It is not forbidden to add medicine to food or drink.
- The timing of taking antihistamines does not matter.
- The presence of food in the stomach does not affect the amount of absorption of the drug, but only affects the speed.
Judging by the reviews of Zirtek, the main disadvantage is the high price of the drug compared to peers.