How to take Zyrtec after meals or before or after meals - All about children

Recently, the “age threshold” for allergies has been rapidly decreasing. Unpleasant and sometimes life-threatening symptoms are increasingly common not only in adults, but also in infants. Pharmacy chains offer parents a variety of antihistamines, but not all of them can be taken by children. A pleasant exception is Zyrtec, prescribed by pediatricians even to newborns.

  • 2 Composition and release forms

    2.1 Composition of Zyrtec - table

  • 3 Indications for use
  • 4 Doctor Komarovsky about seasonal allergies in children - video
  • 5 Instructions for use
  • 6 Contraindications, possible side effects and overdose
  • 7 How to replace the medicine
      7.1 Zyrtec analogues - table
  • 7.2 Zyrtec substitutes - gallery
  • 8 Allergy medications - video
  • 9 Reviews from parents
  • Action and effectiveness of the drug

    Zyrtec is an antiallergic drug belonging to the class of second-generation selective histamine receptor blockers.

    Once in the body, the medication has the following therapeutic effect:

    • prevents the occurrence of allergies;
    • softens the course of an allergic reaction;
    • relieves skin itching;
    • relieves swelling and inflammation in the nasal and nasopharyngeal cavities;
    • reduces hyperthermia (redness) of the skin.

    Zyrtec is an antiallergic drug for children and adults

    The therapeutic effect of the drug is due to the properties of the active ingredient - cetirizine dihydrochloride. The substance isolates histamine receptors, preventing them from triggering a whole range of allergic phenomena, manifested in the form of itching, swelling, rash, etc.

    Zyrtec begins to act 20 minutes after administration, and after an hour the maximum effect appears. With long-term use, the drug is not addictive.

    In addition, Zyrtec is not a hormonal drug.

    How to determine the dose of Zyrtec for your child

    Zyrtec is a new generation antiallergic drug that is able to stop allergens that have spread through the blood in a short period of time, stabilize the condition of a patient suffering from an allergic reaction, relieve swelling, as well as the inflammatory process occurring in the mucous membrane. The product is very effective for allergies, which are expressed in the form of skin rashes, rhinitis, swelling of the larynx and nasal canals. The antihistamine drug Zyrtec has a wide range of effects on the human body prone to allergic reactions.

    How Zyrtec works, price and release forms

    Zyrtec is one of the modern antiallergic drugs that can relieve the patient from a large number of symptoms of an allergic reaction in the shortest possible period of time.

    The drug contains a potent active substance - cyterizine. This component exhibits its pharmacological activity already 20 minutes after taking the medicine orally.

    After just one dose, the duration of the therapeutic effect is around 24 hours.

    Upon completion of taking Zyrtec, the antiallergic properties of the drug retain their effect on the patient’s body for another 3 days.

    The drug does not provoke the development of addiction to cyterizine, like most other allergy medications. There is also no effect on the activity of the brain centers responsible for reaction, attention and concentration.

    The majority of allergy patients who regularly take Zyrtec did not experience any drowsiness.

    The drug is available in the form of tablets and liquid solution. The tablets are taken orally according to the dosage prescribed by the attending physician, and the liquid solution is used to cleanse the body of excess allergens by intramuscular administration of the drug or by installing intravenous drip systems.

    In the case of using Zyrtec injections, the shell of mast cells, which are responsible for the physiological reaction of the body upon contact with allergens, is stabilized and due to this it is possible to avoid its destruction with the release of large amounts of histamine into the blood.

    It is the presence of this substance that gives rise to various negative reactions that manifest themselves in various forms of allergies.

    Contraindications

    The antihistamine drug Zyrtec has a minimal number of medical contraindications. A small list of restrictions on taking the medicine is as follows:

    • the medicine in the form of tablets or injection solution is not prescribed to children who have an individual sensitivity to the substance hydroxyzine, as well as other chemical compounds included in the medicine;
    • the period of pregnancy, regardless of what trimester of gestation the woman is in;
    • Zyrtec is not prescribed to children under 6 months of age due to the fact that the newborn’s body is still too weak to metabolize and remove the chemical components of the drug by the liver and kidneys;
    • when a child is breastfeeding, it is necessary to stop feeding the newborn while taking this allergy medicine (while antihistamine therapy is taking place, it is recommended to express milk, and upon completion of treatment for the symptoms of an allergic reaction, breastfeeding is resumed);
    • With caution and under the supervision of a pediatrician, allergy therapy is carried out in children under 6 years of age.

    These are the main medical contraindications for taking Zyrtec, compliance with which is mandatory in order to maintain the overall health of the patient’s body.

    In general, it should be noted that the attending physician, based on the results of the examination, may discover other factors that exclude the possibility of treating allergies with Zyrtec.

    Indications for use

    Thanks to the innovative pharmacological formula, the antiallergic drug is used for various pathological conditions of the patient’s body, the development of which is associated with the release of large amounts of histamine into the blood.

    The drug is most effective for the following symptoms:

    1. Hay fever, as well as the manifestation of seasonal rhinitis, when the mucous membrane of the nasal canals becomes inflamed with swelling spreading to the eyes. It does not matter what triggered the allergic reaction.
    2. Sneezing, lacrimation and itching in the nasopharynx, which developed as a result of the ingestion of plant pollen, dust, fungal spores, tiny particles of animal hair or any other external irritant.
    3. Allergic skin rashes, accompanied by inflammation of the epidermal tissues and itching of the surface layer of the epithelium. The medication is equally effective in treating skin lesions with small multiple pimples and voluminous red spots similar to urticaria.
    4. All types of allergic reactions that develop after the bite of insects that release toxic substances into the human blood (bees, wasps, spiders, reptiles). In this case, the therapeutic effectiveness of the drug directly depends on how quickly the tablet is taken or the intramuscular injection is administered.
    5. Food allergies to certain food groups in adults and children. During treatment of this type of allergic reaction with Zyrtec, dietary intake is indicated to minimize the number of allergens acting as a systemic irritant.
    6. Quincke's edema, which develops suddenly due to the entry of a pathological allergen into the blood, provoking lightning spasm of the bronchial lumen and swelling of the lining of the larynx. In such situations, the access of air to the lungs is completely blocked due to the fact that the entrance to the trachea is blocked by swelling of the mucous membrane of the walls of the throat. Intravenous administration of a solution of the drug Zyrtec with the simultaneous use of antispasmodics helps relieve the condition of allergic swelling and save a person’s life.
    7. Obstructive bronchitis of allergic origin, when, due to constant inflammation in the respiratory organs, irreversible changes develop in the tissues of the bronchi. Zyrtec helps cleanse the blood of allergens and at the same time relieves inflammation in the lungs.
    8. Bronchial asthma. This chronic disease of the respiratory system directly depends on the reaction of the body's receptors to allergens. As they accumulate in the blood and lung tissues, the bronchial lumen narrows as a negative reaction to the presence of the irritant. In this regard, the patient feels a lack of air, suffocates and coughs. The active components of the drug stop allergens at the stage of their penetration into the allergic person’s body, so the number of attacks of asthmatic suffocation is reduced to a minimum.

    The drug has proven itself in the treatment of all types of allergic reactions of any origin, therefore it is actively used by allergists to treat patients of this category.

    Zyrtec in the form of tablets and liquid solution for injection into the body is used as the main drug for allergies, or is included in a complex therapeutic course with other antihistamine medications.

    Instructions for use of Zyrtec - dosage, course of treatment

    The use of the drug is carried out under the supervision of the attending physician. He carries out the prescription of the medication, used in the form of tablets or liquid solution. The dosage of the drug and the course of treatment are as follows:

    For children

    A child whose age ranges from 6 to 14 years is recommended to take an antihistamine in a dosage of half a tablet once a day. Children over 14 years of age receive an adult dose of the drug. The amount of injection solution is determined solely by the attending physician. Children are prescribed treatment with a tablet form of the medication.

    For adults

    Adult patients, as well as children 14 years of age and older, take 1 Zyrtec tablet per day. This is quite enough to relieve allergy symptoms. If treatment is carried out by intramuscular injection of the drug, then 5 ml of solution is enough to completely eliminate the signs of an allergic reaction.

    In most cases, if the patient seeks medical help in a timely manner and the allergy is not chronic, then the course of treatment does not last longer than 5-7 days.

    This period is quite sufficient to stabilize the patient’s condition, restore all metabolic processes in the body and relieve swelling of the inflamed mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, as well as organs whose tissues were involved in the allergic reaction.

    Analogs

    One of the most famous similar medications for allergies, which is similar in composition to Zyrtec, is the antihistamine Zodak. The pharmacological formula of these two medications is practically the same.

    In some cases, allergists treating the patient recommend purchasing Zodak if the prescribed Zyrtec is not available for retail sale at the pharmacy.

    The following allergy tablets are also analogues of Zyrtec:

    • Cytherizine;
    • Alerza;
    • Cetrin;
    • Zintset.

    All drugs in this group are sold in pharmacies without a special prescription from a doctor and contain a single active component - cyterizine.

    All types of medications listed are completely safe for children and adults, but self-treatment is still not recommended.

    A child should be prescribed an antihistamine medication by a pediatrician, and adult patients seek help from a local physician or an allergist.

    Source: https://furunkul.com/otveti-vracha/zirtek-dozirovka-dlya-detey.html

    Composition and release forms

    Belgian manufacturers produce the drug in the form of tablets and drops for oral administration with a characteristic vinegar odor.

    The liquid form of the drug is sometimes mistakenly called a syrup, solution or suspension, but the Zirtec product line includes only drops and tablets.

    Zyrtec drops are the preferred form for children under 6 years of age.

    Children under 6 years of age are prescribed antihistamine only in the form of drops, since young patients have difficulty swallowing tablets. In addition, the liquid version of the medicine is much easier to dose.

    Composition of Zyrtec - table

    Dosage formActive substanceAuxiliary componentsAge restrictions (according to instructions)
    PillsCetirizine dihydrochloride (10 mg/1 tablet)
    • microcrystalline cellulose;
    • lactose monohydrate;
    • colloidal silicon dioxide;
    • magnesium stearate;
    • hypromellose;
    • titanium dioxide;
    • macrogoal
    from 6 years old
    DropsCetirizine dihydrochloride (10 mg/1 ml)
    • glycerol;
    • propylene glycol;
    • sodium saccharinate;
    • methylparabenzene;
    • propylparabenzene;
    • sodium acetate;
    • glacial acetic acid;
    • purified water.
    from 6 months

    How long can you take Zyrtec?

    There are several options: 1. change the antihistamine 2. check your diet again. the allergy may not be to a “standard allergenic” product 3. See a dermatologist. are you sure this is a food diet? Do you have contact dermatitis?

    4. Do you drink anything else besides Zyrtec? absorbent? do you use cream?

    PS on the topic: we take Zyrtec at the time of allergies for about 2 weeks. then everything usually disappears

    We have atopic dermatitis. We’ve been taking Zyrtec for two months. When the doctor prescribed it, she said that if there were improvements, stop giving it, take a break, then start again. But for us it’s not getting better or worse. All allergenic foods have been excluded, and the cheeks as they were red, there are no more or less. So, I think, Zyrtec can be continued for a long time? Maybe someone drinks it, tell me. Sincerely.

    Faith.

    If there has been no improvement for two months, is it worth continuing? We were prescribed it a long time ago, when mosquitoes bit me badly, with the caveat that it should not be taken for longer than 5 days, although my daughter became allergic to Zyrtec itself - her cheeks immediately turned red.

    You know, it seems to me that it’s time to reconsider the situation - either the drops are wrong, or the allergens are wrong, or the doctor.

    + 1, something needs to change, get well soon!

    Usually they recommend 10-14 days, then change. Moreover, there is no improvement. Buy “Zodak” or “Erius”. Donate blood not only for food, but also for other types of allergens.

    We don’t know how old the author’s baby is. Zodak and Erius do not recommend for children under 2 years of age

    We don’t know how old the author’s baby is. Zodak and Erius do not recommend for children under 2 years of age

    who told you this? Zodak is contraindicated up to 1 year of age.

    And from 1 year, 5 drops 2 times a day.

    who told you this? Zodak is contraindicated up to 1 year of age.

    And from 1 year, 5 drops 2 times a day.

    it's written in the instructions.

    I quote Zodak (syrup) Contraindications Hypersensitivity to the drug Zodak, including hydroxyzine; pregnancy; lactation;

    children under 2 years of age (up to 6 years with impaired renal or liver function)/

    Erius (syrup) Special instructions Use with caution in patients with severe renal failure. Use in pediatrics

    The effectiveness and safety of Erius in children under 2 years of age has not been established.

    it's written in the instructions.

    I quote Zodak (syrup) Contraindications Hypersensitivity to the drug Zodak, including hydroxyzine; pregnancy; lactation;

    children under 2 years of age (up to 6 years with impaired renal or liver function)/

    interesting - because I hold in my hands the instructions for Zodak drops (I give them to the child myself) - method of application and dosage: children from 1 to 2 years old, 2.5 ml (5 drops) 2 times a day.

    you're talking about pills. And children are prescribed drops from the age of one year.

    interesting - because I hold in my hands the instructions for Zodak drops (I give them to the child myself) - method of application and dosage: children from 1 to 2 years old, 2.5 ml (5 drops) 2 times a day.

    you're talking about pills. And children are prescribed drops from the age of one year.

    really unclear. who is the manufacturer? I even went to the website of the manufacturer Zentiva, there is this contraindication

    https://www.zentiva.cz/default.aspx/en/productwide?Kod=58834&DetailType=detail&Type=10

    and here's another one. https://www.pill-info.ru/?pill_name=%C7%EE%E4%E0%EA

    https://www.lib-med.ru/print.php?aid=1989

    really unclear. who is the manufacturer? I even went to the website of the manufacturer Zentiva, there is this contraindication

    https://www.zentiva.cz/default.aspx/en/productwide?Kod=58834&DetailType=detail&Type=10

    and here's another one. https://www.pill-info.ru/?pill_name=%C7%EE%E4%E0%EA

    https://www.lib-med.ru/print.php?aid=1989

    Yeah. ))):wife: I also have Zentiva - paper instructions for the drops. - looked again\

    Is this really how they translate it in Russia? wife::wife::wife:

    How long can I take Zyrtec?

    Today, allergic symptoms are becoming more and more common in both adults and children - these are skin rashes, swelling, a response to a completed course of antibiotics and various other manifestations. Allergic manifestations are treated with antihistamines.

    1. One of the very well-known antihistamine (antiallergic) drugs is currently offered under the name Zyrtec. It is prescribed against allergies at different ages, but Zyrtek has gained particular popularity among children; it can only be recommended from the second half of a child’s life (from 6 months), with different manifestations of allergic reactions in different doses.

    2. The drug Zyrtec is presented in tablet form for adult patients and, for greater convenience, in drops for children.

    3. Moms are often puzzled by the question of how long can they take Zyrtec? Sometimes Zyrtec is given once for quick relief, then it is necessary to calculate the dosage depending on body weight and the degree of manifestation of allergic reactions according to the instructions, the effect of the drug will come relatively quickly, the early manifestation of a panacea occurs within half an hour.

    4. For long-term treatment of rashes or other allergic manifestations, the course of therapy with antihistamines, such as Zyrtec, is individual for each patient, both adult and small. You can take Zyrtec for as long as your condition requires, most often from 5 to 7 days; it is certain that the clinical manifestation of the drug’s effect is visible already on the third day.

    5. In the general course, with a long-term and persistent manifestation of the allergic syndrome, adult patients can undergo a rather long therapeutic course of Zyrtec, usually 60 days, but they can be treated for months.

    Zyrtec is excreted from the body by the kidneys and does not interact with the liver, which explains such a protracted duration of treatment, or maintaining the body in the stage of resistance to various allergens.

    For example, in the spring, during the flowering period of herbs, people prone to allergic reactions take a several-month course of Zyrtec.

    Treatment and advice

    Source: https://stop-allergies.ru/kak-dolgo-mozhno-prinimat-zirtek/

    Indications for use

    The pharmaceutical guidelines indicate the conditions for which Zyrtec is most effective. The main indications for the use of antihistamine are:

    • year-round or seasonal rhinitis, accompanied by sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, copious discharge of mucus from the nasal cavity and lacrimation;
    • Hay fever (hay fever) is a seasonal allergic disease that occurs due to hypersensitivity to the pollen of certain plants. The main symptoms are conjunctivitis and runny nose;
    • Atopic dermatitis is a congenital condition that manifests itself in early childhood in the form of rashes on the skin of the face and limbs. Often worsens after the introduction of complementary foods, a new formula, or during teething;
    • dry, unproductive cough of allergic origin, exhausting the little patient;
    • urticaria - rash and blisters that look like a nettle burn;
    • Quincke's edema, characterized by swelling of subcutaneous fatty tissue and epithelium. Dangerous due to a sharp deterioration in the child’s well-being and suffocation;
    • chicken pox, or chickenpox (used to relieve itchy skin).

    If a child has developed a life-threatening condition (an attack of suffocation, swelling of the larynx), then Zyrtec can be given without a doctor’s prescription. In other cases, consultation with a specialist is required.

    Instructions for use

    The dosage and duration of therapy are determined by the doctor based on the severity of the disease and the characteristics of the child’s body.

    Despite the age restrictions specified in the instructions, Zyrtec is also used in the treatment of newborns. To avoid side effects, it is recommended not to pour drops into breast milk (like other medications), but to instill them into the nose until allergic symptoms disappear. For the first time, one drop is enough to make sure that the baby is not intolerant to the components.

    Doctors advise caution when treating a newborn with Zyrtec, as the drug can depress the central nervous system and cause sleep apnea. When using an antihistamine, you need to regularly monitor the child's heart rate.

    It is better for infants to dilute the drops in breast milk or formula. To do this, express approximately 5 ml of milk, add medicine to it and give it to the child. Then feeding continues as usual.

    For a baby over 12 months old, Zyrtec is dissolved in boiled water and used before meals.

    In addition, for young patients (up to 2 years), it is better to divide the daily dose into two doses to eliminate the possibility of adverse events. This must be done 12 hours apart so that the concentration of the drug in the blood is constant.

    Special instructions for the use of the drug Zyrtec (cetirizine)

    Zyrtec (Cetirizine), like most other antiallergic drugs, affects the ability to drive vehicles. Drivers taking the drug Zyrtec (Cetirizine) are advised to exercise extreme caution. As a rule, at normal doses, Zyrtec (Cetirizine) does not enhance the effects of alcohol.

    Despite this, you should avoid drinking alcohol while using Zyrtec (Cetirizine). Zyrtec (Cetirizine) is primarily excreted by the kidneys in urine. Therefore, patients with impaired renal function should reduce the dose of Zyrtec (Cetirizine). The dose of Zyrtec (Cetirizine) for patients with impaired renal function is 5 mg per day.

    Contraindications, possible side effects and overdose

    Zyrtec is contraindicated in children with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. In addition, it is prohibited to use an antihistamine if the child has:

    • congenital galactose intolerance;
    • lactase deficiency;
    • disruption of the absorption of monosaccharides in the gastrointestinal tract;
    • severe kidney disease.

    Children usually tolerate the medication well, but undesirable consequences may still occur. In extremely rare cases, the child may develop:

    • drowsiness, lethargy;
    • excitement;
    • dry mouth;
    • diarrhea;
    • tachycardia;
    • runny nose or pharyngitis;
    • problems with urination;
    • allergic skin reactions (itching, urticaria, Quincke's edema).

    An overdose of Zyrtec is fraught with increased side effects. If a child experiences symptoms such as anxiety, diarrhea, or tremor (involuntary shaking of fingers) after taking the medicine, it is necessary to rinse the stomach. Then the victim is given a sorbent, for example, Polysorb, and a doctor is called.

    The instructions for the drug indicate that when interacting with other drugs, for example, macrolide antibiotics, no significant undesirable effects have been identified.

    Sometimes Zyrtec is taken simultaneously with other antihistamines, in particular with Suprastin.

    How to replace medicine

    Zyrtec is far from the only antiallergic drug prescribed to children. There are many first and second generation antihistamines on the pharmaceutical market, which differ in composition and severity of therapeutic effect. If Zyrtec is not suitable for the child, the doctor may replace the medication with a similar drug.

    Zyrtec analogues - table

    NameRelease formsActive substanceIndicationsContraindicationsAt what age is it allowed?Price
    Zodak
    • pills;
    • syrup;
    • drops.
    cetirizine dihydrochloride
    • seasonal and year-round allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis;
    • itchy allergic dermatoses;
    • hay fever;
    • hives;
    • Quincke's edema.
    • intolerance to the components of the drug;
    • bronchospasm accompanied by cough.
    • tablets - from 6 years;
    • syrup - from 2 years;
    • drops - from 1 year.
    from 118 rubles
    Fenistil
    • drops;
    • gel;
    • emulsion.
    dimethindene maleate
    • hives
    • hay fever;
    • year-round allergic rhinitis;
    • food or drug allergies;
    • angioedema;
    • skin itching of various origins;
    • hyposensitizing therapy.
    • angle-closure glaucoma;
    • bronchial asthma;
    • intolerance to components.
    from 1 monthfrom 280 rubles
    Erius
    • pills;
    • syrup.
    desloratadine
    • allergic rhinitis;
    • hives.
    • fructose intolerance;
    • impaired absorption of glucose/galactose;
    • hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
    • syrup - from 2 years;
    • tablets - from 12 years.
    from 304 rubles
    Suprastin
    • pills;
    • solution.
    chloropyramine hydrochloride
    • hives;
    • Quincke's edema;
    • serum sickness;
    • seasonal and year-round allergic rhinitis;
    • conjunctivitis;
    • contact dermatitis;
    • skin itching;
    • acute and chronic eczema;
    • atopic dermatitis;
    • food or drug allergies;
    • allergic reactions to insect bites.
    • acute attack of bronchial asthma;
    • intolerance to the components of the drug.
    from 1 monthfrom 109 rubles
    Parlazin
    • pills;
    • drops.
    cetirizine dihydrochloride
    • seasonal and chronic allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis;
    • hay fever;
    • itchy allergic dermatoses;
    • hives;
    • Quincke's edema.
    • intolerance to the components of the drug;
    • hypersensitivity to cetirizine.
    • drops - from 1 year;
    • tablets - from 6 years.
    from 125 rubles
    Tsetrin
    • pills;
    • syrup.
    cetirizine dihydrochloride
    • seasonal and chronic allergic rhinitis;
    • allergic conjunctivitis;
    • skin itching;
    • hives;
    • Quincke's edema.
    intolerance to the drug components
    • tablets - from 6 years;
    • syrup - from 2 years.
    from 139 rubles

    Zyrtec substitutes - gallery


    Erius is an antiallergic drug prescribed from the age of one year.


    Cetrin is a modern antihistamine drug that has antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic effects.


    Fenistil is an effective medication that is used in the treatment of allergic reactions


    Suprastin is an effective and fast-acting antihistamine


    Parlazin is an analogue of Zyrtec that has an antiallergic effect.


    Zodak is a drug that is taken to relieve allergic symptoms in children.

    Drops for children

    Children's allergies are no longer surprising to anyone. It may appear from birth or be a consequence of the accumulation of an allergen in a fragile body. Very often, parents do not know which medicine to choose in order to protect their children from allergies.

    Zyrtec drops have been used for quite a long time and have already established themselves as one of the most effective. Our article will tell you about this drug.

    What is the benefit

    The use of Zyrtec drops for children is possible both for prevention and for therapeutic purposes. According to an independent study, in more than 90% of cases it is possible to reduce the effects of an allergic reaction.

    Thanks to the timely administration of Zyrtec drops, swelling in children decreases, skin rashes, nasal congestion and itching disappear. This is achieved by blocking allergens and then removing them from the body through urine.

    Composition and release form

    The drug has only one active ingredient – ​​cetirizine dihydrochloride. 1 ml of drops contains 10 mg of the main component. For most parents, it is important that the drug does not contain dyes, sweeteners or artificial flavors. The manufacturer of this drug took these requirements into account and excluded them from the composition of the drug.

    The solution is clear and does not have any color, but the smell may resemble a weak solution of vinegar. This is due to the fact that among the auxiliary components there is glacial acetic acid.

    Drops are available in dark glass bottles with a capacity of 10 and 20 ml. For ease of use, the cap has a dropper pipette.

    Indications for use

    The main reason for prescribing Zyrtec drops for children is an allergic reaction. Therefore, any skin rash associated with the body’s reaction to an allergen may be an indication for use. However, other diseases should not be ruled out:

    1. Atopic dermatitis, other allergic dermatoses, which manifest themselves as skin rashes and itching.
    2. Allergic conjunctivitis, rhinitis (seasonal or permanent, occurring regardless of the time of year).
    3. A skin reaction to insect bites (such as mosquitoes), where swelling occurs and the affected area turns red.
    4. Hives (a particularly dangerous type of allergy, if not treated at all, leads to the death of body cells and further death).
    5. Quincke's edema (in which the subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes swell, lips, eyelids, neck, genitals, feet swell. In the most complex form, the larynx swells).
    6. Hay fever (allergy to pollen from flowering plants).

    In infants, as well as if the child is 1 year old, Zyrtec drops can be prescribed as a prophylaxis before vaccination. This is a kind of “safety net” against the possible occurrence of an allergic reaction and reducing the risk of skin rashes.

    It is especially relevant for children prone to allergies. Even though this measure is of a preventive nature, it should not be neglected.

    Since we are talking here about a one-time dose of Zyrtec drops, for children under one year old they are less dangerous than existing analogues.

    It is worth noting that the manufacturer’s instructions do not clearly indicate this indication for use, however, many pediatricians recommend taking an antihistamine before vaccination and the day after it.

    Mode of application

    Before starting treatment, many people wonder how many drops of Zyrtec a child can be given at a time. General instructions for taking the drug – 20 drops 1 time per day. Naturally, it is important to consider the age of the person taking the drug.

    For children under one year of age, it is recommended to give Zyrtec drops no more than 5 drops per day. This dosage is also sufficient for older children (up to 6 years and older).

    Children over one year old can be given drops 1-2 times a day, in agreement with the doctor and depending on the severity of the disease.

    The effect of the drug can be felt within an hour after administration.

    The absorption of the drug does not depend on the time of food intake. However, it is recommended to take it on an empty stomach or half an hour after eating. For infants, it is permissible to dilute the drops in breast milk. The duration of the course of taking the drug should not exceed ten days.

    When diagnosing a disease such as kidney failure, only the attending physician, for example a pediatrician, can answer the question of how many drops of Zyrtec to give to a child.

    Contraindications for use

    The manufacturer identifies obvious and relative contraindications, so before taking the drug you should consult your doctor regarding the advisability of taking it.

    Judging by the reviews, Zyrtec drops for children under one year of age do not guarantee a cure for the cause of the disease, but only relieve the symptom.

    First, you need to carefully study the list of contraindications and adverse reactions and then decide whether the drug is suitable or not. True reasons for refusing to take the drug include:

    1. The child is less than 6 months old.
    2. Problems with the kidneys, the presence of chronic diseases.
    3. Intolerance to the main component of the drug.
    4. Lactose deficiency, including hereditary galactose intolerance.

    Liver disease is a secondary reason for not using Zyrtec drops.

    Side effects

    Not all of the listed phenomena can occur when using Zyrtec drops for children. It is worth paying attention if several side effects appear in a child:

    • Regarding the nervous system: drowsiness, dizziness, increased fatigue.
    • From the digestive system: nausea, abdominal pain, cases of diarrhea are less common.
    • Regarding the respiratory system: pharyngitis, rhinitis.

    Other symptoms may occur extremely rarely (anaphylactic shock, tachycardia, hypersensitivity, fainting, tremors, decreased platelet count in the blood, and others), so do not be immediately alarmed by their list in the instructions.

    Propylparabenzene and methylparabenzene included in the composition may cause an allergic reaction to taking Zyrtec drops. There is no need to be afraid of the presence of contraindications, since this speaks not so much about the harmfulness, but about how well the drug has been studied.

    Overdose

    Sometimes it happens that the drug could fall into the hands of a child who took a certain amount of the medicine.

    First of all, if the child himself can clearly say or show how many drops of Zyrtec he drank, you should ask him about it. Any excess of the specified norm may cause adverse reactions.

    In this case, the baby may feel weakness, general malaise, stupor or anxiety. Urinary retention is also noted.

    What to do if the dosage of Zyrtec drops for children is exceeded? If no more than 20 minutes have passed, then you should immediately rinse the stomach or induce vomiting. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to give your child activated charcoal. In other cases, it is necessary to assess the general well-being of the child; if the condition worsens, you should immediately consult a doctor.

    How to give drops to a baby

    Zyrtec drops are used for children in the same way as other types of drops.

    In the case when the drug is intended for instillation into the nose, then first you need to clear the baby’s nose of mucus, if any.

    You can use a saline solution for rinsing and a cotton swab or aspirator. It is not recommended to use cotton swabs, as they can only aggravate the situation and push mucus further into the sinus.

    Many mothers are interested in how many drops of Zyrtec should a child be given per day? The dosage is as follows: 1 drop in each nasal passage, if we are talking about infants. In some cases, preoral administration of Zyrtec drops is prescribed to children. How to give? It's simple: 5 drops diluted in clean water per day.

    Analogs

    It happens that the necessary drops are not available, and then Zyrtec can be replaced with other means to eliminate allergy symptoms. These include:

    • Zodak has a similar active ingredient as Zyrtec. However, the age at which it is recommended to start taking the drug is from the first year of life and older. Release form: drops, syrup, tablets. The side effect in the form of drowsiness is less pronounced compared to other generations of drugs of this spectrum of action.
    • "Cetirizine" is prescribed to children from one year old in the form of drops, and syrup - starting from two years (has the smell of banana), consists of cetirizine dihydrochloride. Just like Zodak, Zyrtec belongs to the 2nd generation of antihistamines and has less effect on the central nervous system and digestive system.
    • "Fenistil": the main component is dimethindene. Can be given to infants from the first month of life. The drug is produced in the form of a gel, drops, and emulsion. It belongs to the 1st generation of antihistamines, has a clear side effect in the form of drowsiness, and may have an effect on the central nervous system.
    • “Suprastin” is produced in tablets, you can start taking it from the first month of life, the main component is chloropyramine. Like Tavegil, Fenistil belongs to the 1st generation of anti-allergy drugs and is non-selective in terms of its effect on receptors.
    • "Erius" - belongs to the third generation of antihistamine-type drugs, does not cause drowsiness. The drug selectively acts on histamine receptors and does not affect the functioning of the central nervous system. Recommended for children from the first year of life, the main active ingredient is desloratadine. For babies and children under 12 years of age, it is available in the form of a suspension; a flavoring agent is used as a taste improver.
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