Active ingredient
- cetirizine hydrochloride
Legal Category
P: Pharmacy
GSL: General Sales Licence
P: Pharmacy
GSL: General Sales Licence
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original can be viewed in PDF format using the link above.
The text only version may be available from RNIB in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call RNIB Medicine Leaflet Line on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 08553/0193.
Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Tablets
PACKAGE LEAFLET INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Tablets
Read all this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets
3. How to take Cetirizine 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 are and what they are used for
The active ingredient (which makes this medicine work) is called cetirizine hydrochloride, which belongs to a family of medicines called antihistamines. Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Tablets are used for the relief of symptoms of hayfever and other allergic conditions (e.g. sneezing, runny or itchy nose) or for skin rashes (chronic nettle rash, idiopathic urticaria) in adults and children over 6 years of age.
2. What you need to know before you take Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets
Do not take Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets if you:
Warnings and precautions:
Children and Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets
The use of this medicine is not recommended in children aged less than 6 years since this formulation does not allow for appropriate dose adaptation.
Other medicines and Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets
Please tell your doctor or a pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including any bought without a prescription.
Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets with food and drink and alcohol
Food does not affect absorption of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets.
No clinically significant interactions have been observed between alcohol (at the blood level of 0.5 g/l corresponding to one glass of wine) and cetirizine used at the recommended doses. However there are no data available on the safety when higher doses of cetirizine and alcohol are taken together. Therefore as it is the case with all antihistamines, it is recommended to avoid taking Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets with alcohol.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
You should not take these tablets if you are pregnant without first consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take these tablets if you are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Do not drive or operate machinery if the tablets make you feel drowsy. At the recommended dose, these tablets do not cause drowsiness in the majority of people.
Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets contain lactose
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 these tablets.
3. How to take Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets
The tablets should be swallowed with water.
Adults, elderly patients and children 12 years and over: 1 tablet daily.
Children aged 6 to 12 years: Half a tablet twice daily.
Children under 6 years: Not recommended.
If you have kidney problems (or liver and kidney problems together) please ask your doctor for advice: you may need to take a lower dose. The new dose will be determined by your doctor.
Duration of treatment
The duration of the treatment depends on the type, duration and course of your complaints. Please ask your pharmacist for advice.
If you take more than you should
If you accidentally take too much medicine, contact your doctor or nearest casualty department at once.
If you forget to take a tablet
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following side effects are very rare but you must stop taking the tablets and speak to your doctor immediately if you notice them:
The following side effects have also been reported.
Common side effects (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon side effects (affects less than 1 in 100 people)
Rare side effects (affects less than 1 in 1000 people)
Very rare side effects (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)
Not known frequency of side effects
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 at: http://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not take the tablets after the expiry date, which is stated on the blister and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets contain
Each tablet contains 10mg of cetirizine hydrochloride (the active ingredient). They also contain: lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, maize starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, talc, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 4000 and sodium citrate.
What Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets look like and contents of the pack
The tablets are white circular bi-convex, film-coated tablets marked C on one side and a breakline on the other.
Available in cartons containing 7, 14, 21, 28, 30 and 60 tablets.
Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer
Revision date May 2014
Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Tablets PL 08553/0193
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