Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Tablets
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Cetirizine hydrochloride 10 mg Tablets (One a day)
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you
This medicine is available without prescription. However, you still need to use Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets carefully to get the best results from it._
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• You must contact a doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve after 3 days.
• If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or
pharmacist.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Cetirzine hydrochloride Tablets is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take CetirZine hydrochloride Tablets
3. How to take CetirZine hydrochloride Tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. WHAT CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Cetirizine hydrochloride is the active ingredient of CetirZine hydrochloride Tablets. CetirZine hydrochloride Tablets are an anti allergy medication.
In adults and children aged 6 years and above, Cetirzine hydrochloride Tablets is used:
- For the relief of symptoms of seasonal (hayfever) and year round allergies (e.g. sneezing, running or itchy nose, watery eyes).
- For the relief of chronic nettle rash.
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS
Do not take Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets:
• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Cetirzine hydrochloride, to any of the other ingredients of Cetirzine hydrochloride Tablets, to hydroxyzine or to piperazine derivatives (closely related active substances of other medicines).
• If you have severe kidney problems.
• If you have or there is a family history of problems with galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets are not for use in children under 6 years of age.
Take special care with Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets
• If you have liver and kidney problems, please ask your doctor for advice; if necessary, your doctor may recommend a lower dose.
• When drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
• If you are an epileptic patient or a patient at risk of convulsions (fits), you should ask your doctor for advice.
• If you have predisposition factors of urinary retention (eg: spinalcord lesion, prostatic hyperplasia) as cetirzine increases the risk of urinary retention.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
The available information on this medicine suggests no interactions with other medicines should be expected.
Allergy skin tests are inhibited by antihistamines and a wash-out period (of 3 days) is required before performing them.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Pregnancy: As with other drugs, use of Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets should be avoided in pregnant women. Accidental use of the drug by a pregnant woman should not produce any harmful effects on the foetus. Nevertheless, the use of the medicine during pregnancy should be discontinued.
Breast-feeding: Do not use this medicine while breast feeding because cetirzine passes into breast milk.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
A few people have experienced dizziness, drowsiness or fatigue after taking cetirizine. If affected, do not attempt any skilled task such as driving or operating machinery. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Take special care if you drink alcohol while taking Cetirzine hydrochloride Tablets- the effect may be increased. Never drink and then drive or operate tools and machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets
This medicine contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. HOW TO TAKE CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS
Always take Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or your pharmacist if you are not sure.
Adults, elderly patients and children 12 years and over: 1 tablet daily Children aged between 6 to 12 years: % tablet (5mg) twice daily Patients with moderate kidney problems: % tablet (5mg) once daily
Method of administration
Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets can be taken with food or without food. The tablets should be swallowed with water.
If you take more Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets than you should
Contact your doctor or Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital. Take this leaflet and any tablets you still have with you. Symptoms of overdose include confusion, diarrhoea, dizziness, tiredness, feeling generally unwell, dilated pupils, itching, restlessness, sleepiness, loss of consciousness, tremor, headache, abnormal rapid heart rate or problems passing urine.
EE40 B
If you forget to take Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, CetirZine hydrochloride Tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following side effect is very rare, but you must stop taking the tablets and speak to your doctor straight away if you notice these symptoms:
• A severe allergic reaction including rash, itchiness and fever, swollen throat, face, eyelids or lips. This reaction may start soon after you first take the medicine, or it might start later.
The following side effects have also been reported.
Common side effects (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
Tiredness, feeling sleepy Pain in the abdomen Headache Dizziness Dry mouth Sore throat Nausea
Cold-like symptoms of the nose (children only).
Diarrhoea (children only)
Uncommon side effects (affects less than 1 in 100 people)
Itching and rash Tingling in the hands and feet Diarrhoea Feeling agitated.
Feeling weak or generally unwell
Rare side effects (affects less than 1 in 1000 people)
Fast heart beat
Oedema (generalised swelling due to water retention)
Abnormal liver function test results (your doctor will know what to do)
Convulsions Increased weight
Aggression, confusion, depression, hallucination (hearing or seeing things), sleeplessness Urticaria (hives).
Very rare side effects (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)
Blurred vision, difficulty focussing Rotation of the eyes Unusual bleeding or bruising Bad taste in the mouth Tremor, tics
Involuntary movements and/or jerking of the limbs Muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders Swelling of the skin particular^ around the face Fainting
A recurring rash
Bed wetting, pain and/or difficulty passing water
Not known side effects
Increased appetite Vertigo
Urinary retention
Some cases of memory loss and/or impairment have also been reported. In very rare cases people have thought about committing suicide and if you feel this way then stop taking the tablets and see your doctor.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme, Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/vellowcard By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW TO STORE CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use CetirZine hydrochloride Tablets after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK ANDOTHER INFORMATION
What Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets contains
The active substance is CetirZine hydrochloride. Each tablet contains 10 mg of Cetirizine hydrochloride.
The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, maize starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, talc, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 4000 and sodium citrate.
What Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets looks like and contents of the pack
EE40 B
Cetirizine hydrochloride Tablets are white circular film-coated tablets, marked ‘A’ on one side with a break line on the other side and are available in blister pack containing 7 tablets.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
The marketing authorisation holder is Chanelle Medical. Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland.
The manufacturer is Chanelle Medical, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland.
The distributor is Chanelle Medical U.K.Ltd
This leaflet was revised 03/2015
LE1218