Many are familiar with the feeling of itching, burning on the skin, the appearance of a rash. Often this condition is accompanied by swelling and redness of the mucous membranes, headache, nausea.
All of these are classic signs of an allergic reaction - a pathology in which the body's immune system inadequately responds to any foreign substance.
The source can be wool, food, plant pollen, drugs, and more. Therefore, almost no one is safe from allergies.
The standard treatment regimen for this disease boils down to the immediate elimination of the allergen, and drugs related to the group of antihistamines are used to relieve symptoms.
These funds are quite widely represented on the market and are divided into several groups depending on the active substance. In addition, they all differ in the form of release, dosage, the onset of the effect and its duration, as well as side effects.
Below we will compare one of the most popular antihistamines. We will figure out which is better - "Suprastin" or "Zirtek"?
Active substance
Any comparative analysis of drugs begins with a study of their active substances.
Suprastin has chloropyramine. It is a derivative of ethylenediamine. It belongs to the first generation antihistamines.
Zirtek has cetirizine. It is a representative of the group of the second generation of antiallergic substances.
This item must be taken into account when choosing "Suprastin" or "Zirtek". The fact is that the number of side effects and their severity, as a rule, decrease with each new generation.
Release form
The way in which the medicine is presented on the pharmaceutical market, sometimes acts as a decisive criterion for choice. After all, the dosage regimen and ease of administration directly depend on this.
Suprastin is available in the form of:
- Solution for intravenous or intramuscular administration. The concentration of the substance is 20 mg / 1 ml. The number of ampoules in a package can be five or ten.
- 25 mg tablets of chloropyramine. The number of tablets in the package is 20.
On the shelves of pharmacy organizations "Zirtek" can be found in the form:
- A solution for oral administration, which is poured into dark glass vials. The volume may be 10 ml, or maybe 20.
- The second form of release is tablets, packaged in cardboard packaging of 7, 10 or 20 pieces.
As you can see, these drugs are significantly different from each other in manufactured forms.
There are cases when Suprastin injections are the drug of choice. In addition, they have a stronger and faster therapeutic effect.
Suprastin tablets are also effective, but it often happens that they need to be divided. And sometimes even 1/4 (for example, a small child as prescribed by a pediatrician). This is not very convenient. In addition, in this case, there is no metering accuracy.
Therefore, if the mother decides what is best for the children - Suprastin or Zirtek, you can safely answer that the second drug is much more convenient to dose.
Action of drugs
"Suprastin" begins to act after 15-30 minutes. The effect of taking it lasts for 3-6 hours.
"Zyrtec" has an effect after 20-60 minutes after consumption. The pharmacotherapeutic effect is able to persist throughout the day. Therefore, Zirtek prescribed in the standard treatment regimen: 1 time per day. Ease of use is definitely the advantage of this drug.
Indications for use
When choosing "Suprastin" or "Zirtek", it is very important to pay attention to the list of indications for use. In this case, they are about the same.
The main difference is spelled out in the instructions for the use of Suprastin injection solution. Thanks to its release form, it can quickly stop even the strongest manifestations of an allergic reaction, such as Quincke's edema.
Contraindications
Here, drugs have a lot in common. Their use is prohibited in conditions such as:
- pregnancy;
- period of breastfeeding;
- renal failure;
- intolerance to any of the components of the drug;
- childhood.
I would especially like to dwell on the last point.
"Suprastin" or "Zirtek" for a child
Injection solution "Suprastin" is strictly prohibited for use in children. While tablets are officially approved for use in children older than 3 years. However, in pediatric practice there are cases when the doctor prescribes a child 1/4 or 1/2 tablets. As mentioned above, this is inconvenient.
Zirtek tablets are unacceptable for children under the age of 6 years. However, for them there is a convenient form of release - drops. They are allowed from 6 months. They are conveniently dosed on a spoon, and then give the baby.
Side effects
Studying the instructions for use of "Suprastin" or "Zirtek", it is impossible not to pay attention to such an item as undesirable side reactions.
Like any other drug, each of them can in some cases have a negative effect on the human body.
Side effects of Suprastin:
- Perhaps a change in blood composition. For example, a decrease in white blood cell count.
- Dizziness, headache, fatigue and drowsiness, muscle weakness.
- Rarely, but blurred vision is possible.
- Pain in the abdomen, indigestion, nausea or vomiting.
Side effects of Zirtek are similar, but this drug has a lower risk of developing the above adverse reactions.
In more detail I would like to dwell on such a side effect as drowsiness. Often, the fact that many of the antihistamines make the patient too lethargic and lethargic plays a decisive role when choosing Zyrtec or Suprastin for a child and an adult. Given that the active substance of the first is cetirizine, which belongs to the more modern generation of antihistamines, it causes drowsiness much less often.
In that small percentage of patients who have noticed that they become lethargic after taking the drug, this side effect is still less pronounced than with the use of Suprastin.
Cost of drugs
Suprastin:
- Injections - 150-200 rubles.
- Pills - 100-150 rubles.
Zirtek:
- Drops of 10 ml - 270-320 rubles.
- 7 tablets - 190-240 rubles.
- Tablets of 20 pieces - 350-400 rubles.
Conclusion
Both drugs can effectively eliminate the symptoms of allergies. The action of "Zirtek" in this case will be saved much longer.
For children, the use of Zirtek is preferable.
According to the degree of severity of drowsiness, Zirtek goes after Suprastin. Therefore, stopping the choice on it, you can protect yourself from the development of an undesirable side effect.
If we talk about the cost of "Suprastin" or "Zirtek", then we can conclude that the first option is much cheaper.
Summing up, it should be said that Zirtek is a more effective drug with a less pronounced side effect in the form of drowsiness, but it costs a little more.