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Cetirizine (Intravenous)
Generic name: cetirizine
Brand names: Quzyttir
Uses for cetirizine
Cetirizine injection is used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older who have acute urticaria (hives, itching, or redness of the skin).
Cetirizine is an antihistamine that works by blocking the effects of a substance called histamine, which is made by the body. Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes. It can also narrow the bronchial tubes (air passages of the lungs) and make breathing hard.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Precautions while using cetirizine
Your doctor will monitor your progress closely while you or your child are taking this medicine. This will help your doctor determine if the medicine is working properly and if you should keep using it.
This medicine may cause some people to feel drowsy, sleepy, or less alert than usual. Make sure you understand how this medicine affects you before you drive, operate machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
This medicine will increase the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants include antihistamines or medicines for hay fever, other allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping medicines, prescription pain medicines or narcotics, medicines for seizures, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor or dentist before taking any of these while you or your child are receiving this medicine.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Before using cetirizine
In deciding to use a medicine, you need to think about the risks and the benefits. This is a choice you will make with your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:
Allergies
The dose of this medicine can vary for each patient. Always follow your doctor's instructions or the directions on the label. The information below includes only the average doses. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to.
The amount of medicine you take depends on its strength. Additionally, the number of doses you take each day, the time between doses, and how long you take the medicine depend on the medical issue you are treating.
Pediatric
Studies so far have not shown any specific issues in children aged 6 months and older that would limit the usefulness of cetirizine injection. Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children younger than 6 months.
It is not recommended to use cetirizine injection in children younger than 6 years who have kidney or liver disease.
Geriatric
Studies conducted so far have not shown any specific problems in elderly patients that would limit the effectiveness of cetirizine injection.
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risks to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before using this medication during breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Some medicines should not be taken together. In other cases, two different medicines may be used together, even if interactions might happen. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is especially important for your healthcare provider to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while receiving this medicine. The following interactions are based on their potential importance and do not include all possible interactions.
Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acepromazine
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Amobarbital
- Anileridine
- Aripiprazole
- Asenapine
- Baclofen
- Benperidol
- Benzhydrocodone
- Bromazepam
- Buprenorphine
- Buspirone
- Butabarbital
- Butorphanol
- Calcium Oxybate
- Cannabidiol
- Cannabis
- Carbinoxamine
- Carisoprodol
- Carphenazine
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Chlorpromazine
- Chlorzoxazone
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Clorazepate
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Daridorexant
- Dexmedetomidine
- Diacetylmorphine
- Diazepam
- Dichloralphenazone
- Difenoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Diphenhydramine
- Diphenoxylate
- Doxylamine
- Droperidol
- Enflurane
- Esketamine
- Estazolam
- Eszopiclone
- Ethchlorvynol
- Ethopropazine
- Ethylmorphine
- Fentanyl
- Flibanserin
- Fluphenazine
- Flurazepam
- Fluspirilene
- Fospropofol
- Halazepam
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Hexobarbital
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroxyzine
- Isoflurane
- Ketamine
- Ketazolam
- Ketobemidone
- Lacosamide
- Levorphanol
- Lorazepam
- Loxapine
- Magnesium Oxybate
- Meclizine
- Melperone
- Meperidine
- Mephobarbital
- Meprobamate
- Meptazinol
- Mesoridazine
- Metaxalone
- Methadone
- Methdilazine
- Methocarbamol
- Methohexital
- Methotrimeprazine
- Methylene Blue
- Midazolam
- Molindone
- Moricizine
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nalbuphine
- Nicomorphine
- Nitrazepam
- Nitrous Oxide
- Olanzapine
- Opium
- Opium Alkaloids
- Orphenadrine
- Oxazepam
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Papaveretum
- Paregoric
- Pentazocine
- Pentobarbital
- Perampanel
- Perazine
- Periciazine
- Perphenazine
- Phenobarbital
- Pimozide
- Piperacetazine
- Pipotiazine
- Piritramide
- Pitolisant
- Potassium Oxybate
- Prazepam
- Primidone
- Prochlorperazine
- Promazine
- Promethazine
- Propofol
- Quazepam
- Quetiapine
- Ramelteon
- Remifentanil
- Remoxipride
- Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b-njft
- Secobarbital
- Sertindole
- Sodium Oxybate
- Sufentanil
- Sulpiride
- Suvorexant
- Tapentadol
- Temazepam
- Thiethylperazine
- Thiopental
- Thiopropazate
- Thioridazine
- Tilidine
- Tizanidine
- Tolonium Chloride
- Topiramate
- Tramadol
- Triazolam
- Trifluoperazine
- Trifluperidol
- Triflupromazine
- Trimeprazine
- Zaleplon
- Zolpidem
- Zopiclone
- Zotepine
- Zuranolone
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Some medicines should not be taken around mealtime or with certain foods because interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. The following interactions are based on their potential importance and do not include all possible interactions.
Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take this medicine, or give you special instructions about using food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Ethanol
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Side Effects of cetirizine
Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
- Drowsiness
- relaxed and calm
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to provide ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:
Rare
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- change or loss of taste
- feeling hot
- headache
- heartburn
- increased sweating
- indigestion
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Incidence not known
- Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In the U.S.
- Quzyttir
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antipruritic
Pharmacologic Class: Antihistamine, Less-Sedating
Chemical Class: Piperazine (class)
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Proper use of cetirizine
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a medical facility. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it OK to take antihistamines every day?
- Should cetirizine be taken at bedtime or upon awakening?
- Which antihistamines make you drowsy?
- Can you take antihistamines when pregnant?
- How long does it take for cetirizine to work?
- Does cetirizine make you drowsy?
- How long after taking cetirizine can I drink alcohol?
- Is Generic Zyrtec Available?
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Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.