One of the most popular medications providing instant allergy relief is Zyrtec, a medicine that treats both indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms by blocking histamine. The allergy relief medication comes in both tablets and syrup form. The tablets may white in color or purple, which is the chewable variety. The allergy relief drug also comes in a special banana-grape flavor, which caters to young users.
Zyrtec is the first and only once-a-day prescription drug that can be used by children below six years old for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis (year-round allergies) and chronic idiopathic urticaria (itching and hives). In fact, even infants can avail of and use this product. The product however will only work for indoor allergies in infants. Unlike other allergy relief medicines, Zyrtec can only be bought with a prescription from a doctor.
Zyrtec was initially approved in 1996 for patients as young as 12 years old and in September of the same year, it was approved to be safe for children six years old.
According to Benjamin Kramer, M.D., Associate Medical Director at Pfizer Inc., this is truly good news as “parents and physicians now have a prescription option to treat symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes that often result from a child’s allergic reaction to various environmental allergens such as pollen, dust, cats and dogs. Zyrtec is also a treatment option for itching and hives associated with chronic idiopathic urticaria.”
Zyrtec provides allergy relief by helping get rid of the allergy symptoms such as Itchy, red, watery eyes, Sneezing and runny, itchy nose, Postnasal drip and itching from hives. The Zyrtec-D 12 Hour Extended Release tablets can even take care of nasal congestion.
Allergy relief can often be achieved in an instant, an hour after the intake. A 10 milligrams of Zyrtec can provide allergy relief for a period of 24 hours while the Zyrtec-D 12 hours, only lasts as the name suggests, for 12 hours.
Zyrtec, however, can cause a variety of side effects, which your doctor can discuss with you on your visit. Here are some of them:
For adults and children 12 years and above, the most common side effect of the allergy relief drug Zyrtec is drowsiness, which is often the cause of complaints even with other allergy relief medications. Other side effects include feelings of tiredness and listlessness throughout the day. Dry mouth can also occur. Often, side effects are not so major that people stopped taking the medicine.
For children who are between the ages of two and 11 years old, it is important that you be careful in giving them medicines even Zyrtec has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for younger children. Side effects of the drugs are more varied in this age range as their bodies are still not as well-developed as those adults.
Most common of the side effects of the allergy relief medicine Zyrtec are headaches and stomach paid. Some children may also suffer from drowsiness and sore throat. Still, the symptoms range from mild to moderate and children are not so bothered that will stop taking the medication.
Be warned: Side effects of the allergy relief drug Zyrtec for infants six months to 23 months can be akined to the sugar pill. The babies may become cranky and fussy. They may have trouble getting sleep as they feel so uncomfortable with their bodies.