Zodak is an effective drug for allergic reactions

Problem of choice

Most of our grandmothers had no idea what painful allergy attacks were. But with the growth of industry and the development of technology, allergies come knocking on the door of human life. This problem can affect absolutely anyone: both a newborn baby and a pensioner. And, unfortunately, it is possible to completely cure the disease in rare cases. As a rule, it becomes a person’s faithful companion throughout life. Those who do not enjoy spring with its riot of flowering trees especially suffer.

It is naive to believe that allergies are just rhinitis and watery eyes. The disease is so dangerous that if first aid is not provided, the case can be fatal. Therefore, many sufferers are interested in a remedy that would help them, if not get rid of the problem forever, then at least alleviate its symptoms and prolong periods of remission. Many allergists recommend their patients to opt for the drug Zodak. Instructions for use, price, reviews, analogues - all this should be carefully studied in order to make the right decision.

Side effects

A description of possible side effects from using Zodak can be found in the package insert. This anti-allergy medication can affect the human body in the following ways:

• From the central nervous system and PNS: headache, increased fatigue, dizziness, etc.
• From the gastrointestinal tract: dry mouth, attacks of nausea, vomiting, increased thirst, etc.
• For dermatological problems: pinpoint and hyperemic rash, itching of the skin, angioedema, urticaria, acne.
• From the immune system: excessive sensitivity, anaphylaxis.

The above list of allergy medication side effects is not definitive. There are up to two dozen different possible complications of treatment that occur rarely or extremely rarely. Often the frequency of their occurrence does not exceed a few tenths of a percent.

It is worth noting that the composition of Zodak, according to the instructions for use, is safe for most patients. But at the same time, there are certain groups of people who have certain physiological characteristics, as a result of which they react unfavorably to Zodak allergy treatment.

Symptoms of food allergies

Composition and forms

Zodak contains (and reviews from allergists confirm this) a selective blocker of H-1 peripheral receptors called cetirizine dihydrochloride. Particularly effective in the early stages of allergic reactions.

Reviews call the allergy drug Zodak an almost universal remedy due to the variety of release forms. There are tablets, syrup and drops. In the practice of doctors, there are situations when it is very difficult for a patient to swallow tablets, and it is precisely for such cases that they prescribe drops or syrup.

In addition to cetirizine, the medication contains glycerol, propylene glycol, purified water, propyl parahydroxybenzoate and other excipients.

Storage conditions, manufacturer

Reviews of Zodak left by practicing doctors advise you to pay attention to the fact that the medicine is produced by a fairly well-known pharmaceutical company, which is located in the Czech Republic. Very often, the quality of a drug depends on the integrity of the manufacturer. So, in this case, allergists, based on their experience, assure that everything is in order with the company’s reputation and the quality of the medicine.

Another advantage is that the medicine does not require special storage conditions. The main thing is that this place should not be accessible to children. The shelf life of Zodak is no more than three years.

Pharmacological actions

Zodac is a second generation antiallergic drug. The drug has a prolonged effect and therefore does not require frequent use by patients. The active component of Zodak is cetirizine dihydrochloride, which blocks H1 receptors. The drug does not have a strong anticholinergic or antiserotin effect on the body. If the drug is taken correctly, the patient will not feel a sedative effect, including Zodak will not cause drowsiness.

Cetirizine inhibits the release of histamine. It affects both the early and late stages of the allergic reaction. Under the influence of the active substance, the migration of eosinophils is reduced.

Taking 5 to 60 mg of the active ingredient cetirizine causes a linear chemical reaction. To distribute the substance in the human body, a volume of 50 ml/kg is required. The half-life of Zodak is approximately 10 hours. How quickly cetirizine enters the human body depends on food, but the final plasma concentration is not affected by food.

When should I take it?

Reviews of Zodak tablets make it clear that the medicine can be prescribed by a doctor in the following cases:

• seasonal allergic reactions in the form of rhinitis;
• hay fever (hay fever);
• urticaria and Quincke's edema;
• allergic dermatoses accompanied by severe itching.

For all these diseases, any form of medication can be used at the discretion of the doctor.

How to use?

The method of application will depend on the form and recommendations of the attending physician. In reviews, Zodak tablets are recommended to be taken no earlier than the age of 6 years, but the syrup can be used for children from two years of age. The youngest patients, who have just turned 1 year old, are prescribed Zodak in the form of drops.

You can take the medication at any time, regardless of meals.

Adults and children over 6 years of age are prescribed 1 tablet per day. Children over 2 years old: 1 spoon of syrup (a measuring spoon is included with the drug). This dose can be divided in half and drunk in 2 doses.

The youngest are recommended to take 5 drops of Zodak for children (reviews confirm this dosage) twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening.

Instructions for use

Zodak drops are diluted in a small volume of water and then drunk. The diet does not affect the time of taking this medicine, according to its annotation.

The syrup is drunk undiluted, but if necessary, it can be washed down with water or other non-carbonated liquid (tea, compote).

The tablet form is swallowed without biting or chewing. This drug is washed down only with clean water without gas.

The duration of treatment is influenced by the clinical picture and other factors, but most often Zodak is prescribed for 7-10 days. If the disease requires longer therapy, a course of treatment of 3 weeks is prescribed at intervals of 1 week.

What about contraindications?

Reviews of Zodak draw attention to the fact that the medicine has a very short list of contraindications. This is mainly due to individual sensitivity to the components of the drug and the period of bearing and feeding a child. This is due to the fact that the medicine passes through the placenta and milk to the baby.

Doctors recommend taking Zodak with extreme caution to people of retirement age - a decrease in glomerular filtration is possible. Also, patients with chronic renal failure should be treated only under the supervision of a specialist. In this case, the dose will need to be adjusted by the doctor, taking into account the degree of kidney pathology.

Could there be consequences?

Of course, many allergy sufferers are interested in the side effects that may occur while using the medication. Doctors pay attention to the following manifestations:

• increased fatigue, migraine, dizziness, in rare cases drowsiness;
• urticaria, angioedema;
• dry larynx and dyspepsia.

But such phenomena are, rather, isolated cases that disappear immediately after discontinuation of the drug.

It is prohibited to take the medicine together with alcohol and medications that have a depressing effect on the central nervous system. Also, while using Zodak, you will have to stop driving a car and performing work that requires extreme concentration of a person’s attention.

But for people with diabetes, the drug can be used to treat allergies, but only in the form of drops, since they do not contain sugar.

Overdose

If patients take more Zodak than the permissible norm, they may experience the following negative effects on the body: increased fatigue, increased heart rate, irritability, loss of strength, drowsiness, headaches, difficulty urinating. Such effects can be observed after taking 50 mg of the substance per day.

If the patient has symptoms of an overdose, gastric lavage should be done. They also provide additional therapy to eliminate symptoms and give activated charcoal. In case of overdose, hemodialysis is not performed.

What do doctors and patients think?

Very often, allergists opt for Zodak when prescribing an antihistamine. Reviews from doctors make it clear that the product is truly effective and at the same time very rarely causes side effects. In pediatrics, this drug is prescribed not only in cases of allergic diseases, but also for preventive purposes. For example, before vaccination, to exclude possible reactions after vaccination. Today, doctors have no complaints about the effectiveness of the medicine and its quality. They are completely satisfied with the result of the treatment.

Well, what do allergy sufferers and their families think about this? Reviews about Zodak left by consumers assure that in this case their opinion completely coincides with the opinion of doctors. The drug really alleviates seasonal allergies, eliminates lacrimation and rhinitis. It was noted that the cost of the medicine is quite affordable and that it can be purchased at almost any pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription.

Mothers of young patients speak especially positively about Zodak. Thanks to the convenient release form (drops), it is not difficult to give this product to your baby. It is tolerated quite well by children; parents do not report cases of overdose or any negative reactions from the body.

Drops for children Zodak - dosage and rules of use

Zodak antihistamine drops for children qualitatively eliminate allergy symptoms. This drug does not have a noticeable sedative effect, and therefore the person during treatment remains cheerful and energetic, but gets rid of allergic rhinitis, rashes and other symptoms.

Can children have Zodak?

Pharmacy drops Zodak is an antihistamine that can also be purchased in the form of tablets or syrup. Zodak in the form of drops can be taken by children over 1 year old; this drug is easy to dose for babies. In some cases, doctors prescribe Zodak drops for children even for newborns - and this is normal practice.

Zodak drops for children under one year of age are prescribed with caution - the drug requires control of the infant's breathing, and apnea may occur. If any problems occur (swelling, worsening of the condition), the drug is discontinued.

The antihistamine drug Zodak in the form of tablets, drops and syrup has one active substance - cetirizine dihydrochloride. The auxiliary components of the drops (water, glycerol and others) are necessary only to create a convenient form for administering the medicine. Cetirizine dihydrochloride is more effective and safe than those substances that are part of first-generation drugs.

After the drug is taken orally, cetirizine dihydrochloride is absorbed in the stomach and enters the bloodstream, binding to blood proteins.

The substance reaches its highest concentration in the blood within an hour and a half (the presence of food in the stomach increases the time of penetration into the blood, but does not affect the concentration).

In the body, cetirizine dihydrochloride blocks peripheral H1-histamine receptors, which reduces the allergic reaction. The substance is excreted by the kidneys. If the kidneys are impaired, cetirizine dihydrochloride may have a toxic effect.

Zodak drops - indications for use

Zodak drops for children are prescribed for various manifestations of individual intolerance - allergies. It is allowed to use the drug in the treatment of seasonal or persistent allergies.

Zodak drops – indications:

• allergic rhinitis – itchy nose, sneezing, nasal discharge;
• allergic conjunctivitis – redness, itching and burning in the mucous membranes of the eyes, photophobia, lacrimation;
• allergic and idiopathic urticaria - eczema, dermatitis, skin lesions;
• bronchial asthma;
• Quincke's edema.

Zodak drops - contraindications

The antihistamine drug Zodak for children has a small list of contraindications, but it is not recommended to prescribe it on your own - taking the drug must be agreed with your doctor, since in case of kidney problems, monitoring of creatinine clearance is recommended.

Zodak for allergies for children - contraindications:

• age up to one year (this is indicated in the instructions, but in some cases doctors prescribe the drug to infants);
• hypersensitivity to the main and auxiliary components of the drug;
• renal failure, in which creatinine clearance is below 10 ml/min;
• porphyria;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding period.

Zodak drops - side effects

Clinical studies show that Zodak drops for children are well tolerated and rarely cause side effects, but the list of possible unpleasant effects from various organs and systems of the body is very extensive.

Zodak drops - side effects:

• CNS - dizziness, headache, drowsiness, migraine, confusion, agitation, paresthesia (pins and needles sensations, numbness), tics, tremor, paralysis, ptosis;
• Gastrointestinal tract - dyspepsia (heartburn, flatulence, belching, constipation, diarrhea), nausea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, thirst, vomiting, salivation, taste distortion, hepatitis, swelling of the tongue;
• respiratory system - cough, bronchitis, sinusitis, sputum in the bronchi, rhinitis, shortness of breath, bronchospasm;
• heart and blood vessels - tachycardia, heart failure, palpitations, arterial hypertension;
• bones, skin, soft tissues - muscle and joint pain, rash, dermatitis, urticaria, furunculosis, increased sweating, excess hair growth and baldness, arthritis, back pain, seborrhea;
• sense organs – hearing, smell, taste and vision disorders, dry eyes, tinnitus;
• genitourinary system – blood in the urine, enuresis, vaginitis, polyuria, edema;
• other manifestations are asthenia, fever, vertigo, chills, weight gain, malaise, dehydration, hemolytic anemia, hot flashes, decreased platelet count.

The use of Zodak drops for children can be dangerous if the dosage is incorrectly prescribed or if the adult does not follow it accurately.

Zodak drops - use of an increased dose - symptoms and consequences:

• lethargy;
• fatigue;
• headache;
• tachycardia;
• drowsiness;
• anxiety;
• irritability;
• excitation.

Zodak - dosage for children

Zodak drops should be used for children in the dosage prescribed by the doctor, but if it differs from that recommended in the instructions, the doctor must explain the change in dosage.

Zodak drops – dosage for children (daily recommended):

• 1-2 years – 5 drops;
• 2-6 years 10 drops;
• over 6 years old – 20 drops.

One of the contraindications to Zodak drops is age under 1 year, but sometimes doctors still prescribe this drug to newborns. Zodak therapy requires strict control of the child's breathing and heartbeat. The daily dose is given to the baby by mixing with the first portion of food.

How to take Zodak drops - daily recommended dosage for newborns:

• up to 3 months – 2 drops;
• 3-6 months – 3-4 drops;
• 6-12 months – 5 drops.

Recommendations:

1. Before using Zodak for children, you need to accurately measure the required dose.
2. In the vast majority of cases, doctors recommend giving the drug once a day - in the evening, but if desired, the daily dose can be divided into two times and taken in the morning and evening.
3. Having measured out the required number of drops, the medicine is mixed with a small amount of cold water and given to the child using a spoon or a small glass.

Zodak - how many days can children take?

Parents often have a question that needs to be asked to the doctor - how long can a child take Zodak. The standard course of treatment lasts 7-10 days, but it can be changed by your doctor. Sometimes Zodak therapy lasts until the symptoms disappear; in severe cases, the duration of treatment can range from several weeks to several months.

Zodak drops - analogues

Zodak - second generation allergy drops. They are effective and safe, but there are already antihistamines of more advanced - third and fourth - generations that have great advantages.

More modern analogues of the drug Zodak:

• with desloratadine – Neoclaritin, Erius;
• with levocetirizine – Elcet, Glencet;
• with fexofenadine – Fexadine, Telfast.

Zyrtec is considered a complete analogue of the drug Zodak, which contains the same active substance - cetirizine dihydrochloride. The indications, side effects and prohibitions on the use of these drugs are the same, the only difference is that Zyrtec is more expensive.

Other analogues of Zodak drops for children:

• Kestin;
• Clargothyl;
• Cetrin;
• Clarotadine;
• Loratadine;
• Zintset;
• Lotharen;
• Parlazin;
• Letizen;
• Fenistil;
• Erolyn.

Source: https://womanadvice.ru/kapli-dlya-detey-zodak-dozirovka-i-pravila-primeneniya

Cost and analogues

Sometimes doctors, instead of Zodak, can prescribe another medicine that will be no less effective in case of allergies. This could be Zyrtec, Citrine, Zestra, Sandoz, Amertil with the same active ingredient. Or drugs based on another substance: Xizal, Aleron, Zilola or Alerzin. In any case, such prescriptions should only be handled by the attending physician, who will be able to select a full-fledged replacement for Zodak.

So, we reviewed reviews of Zodak and instructions for use. What about the price? The price of the drug is quite affordable and does not cause negative consumer comments. For a bottle of drops or syrup you will need to pay about 180 rubles, and tablets will cost less - about 120 rubles. The cost of the drug may vary slightly, depending on the region and the policy of the pharmacy chain.