Zyrtec - What Is It?
Zyrtec, active ingredient cetirizine hydrochloride, has been approved for the treatment of the following symptoms of allergies: sneezing, itchy nose and throat, runny nose and watery or itchy eyes. It is an antihistamine.
This medication has also been approved for the treatment of itching caused from hives, which might or might not be due to allergies. This medication can also be found in a decongestant form. Even though Zyrtec-D and Zyrtec were originally only available with a prescription, they can now be purchased without one.
Who Manufactures It?
McNeil Consumer Healthcare is the maker of brand name Zyrtec and many companies make the generic forms of this medication.
How It Works
When the immune system in the body reacts to substances that are usually harmless, this is when we experience allergies. They are called allergens and most people are not bothered by them.
Allergic reactions are caused in part from the body's release of histamines into the body. Since Zyrtec is an antihistamine, it works to block the histamine from getting to the receptors to cause symptoms of allergies. Histamine causes many of the allergy symptoms that people experience, so it's helpful to block them. Keep in mind that antihistamines don't treat the congestion that allergies cause, because it's not caused from histamine.
Potential Side Effects
As with all medications, there is the risk of developing side effects while taking Zyrtec. Not everyone that takes this medication will have side effects, as it is generally well tolerated. If you do notice side effects, they are most often minor and usually require little or no treatment. Other, more serious side effects are reported less often.
Commonly reported side effects might include: dry mouth, fatigue and drowsiness.
Generic Zyrtec
At this time, there are many different generic forms of Zyrtec that are available for sale.
