Zyrtec, otherwise chemically known as, Cetirizine is an over-the-counter medicine that provides a twenty-four hour relief of indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms. It is an antihistamine, which means it blocks histamine, a chemical that causes congestion, itching, swelling and other allergic reactions. This antihistamine works selectively on peripheral histamine-1 (H-1) receptors, which are histamine receptors that are located outside of the brain and spinal cord. Antihistamines are usually known to make one sleepy and drowsy, but because it acts on peripheral histamine receptors7, Cetirizine is much less likely to cause somnolence compared with some other older antihistamines. The active ingredient in each tablet of Zyrtec is ten milligrams of Cetirizine Hydrochloride, along with the inactive ingredients, such as colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polymathylene glycol and titanium dioxide.
2 One should take Zyrtec if they have seasonal allergies, year-round allergies, chronic hives, asthma and eczema.3 It alleviates the worst allergy symptoms, like sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and itchy nose or throat.6 Zyrtec can also be used to treat Rhinovirus infections.
Levocitrizine is the active L-enantiomer of Zyrtec. Levocitirizne is highly effective for the treatment of Human Rhinovirus Infection. Additionally, Zyrtec has been used to treat symptoms of Kimura’s Disease. This condition is distinctly found in young Asian men.
It is in the form of tumor-like lesions affecting the lymph nodes and soft tissues of the head and neck. These lesions result in pruritus, meaning they were itchy. A study was conducted where patients were given ten milligrams of Zyrtec on a daily basis. After two months of the study, the skin lesions disappeared and the blood esophinol count became normal.
1 The severe side effects of Zyrtec, although very rare, include a fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors, visual problems and urinating less than normal. The moderate side effects against the nervous system include a very common somnolence and a not so very common dizziness. It effects the gastrointestinal system by causing dry mouth, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. It may effect the respiratory system in such a way that one might develop pharyngitis, rhinitis, coughing, or epistaxis. Other side effects include fatigue, insomnia and a very rare musculoskeletal disorder called myelitis, which is an infection or inflammation of of the white or gray matter of the spinal cord.
This is a part of the central nervous system that acts as a bridge between the brain and the rest of the body and could potentially be very dangerous, but also is a very rare side effect with a less than a one hundredth percent of people effected.4 On the bright side, there are more pros than cons to this allergy medication. On the upside, Zyrtec works well as an antihistamine to treat sneezing, runny noses, and causes less sedation than other allergy medications. It comes in three different different forms; one can purchase it as a tablet, a liquid, and a quick-dissolving tablet. It will provide a quick relief of allergy symptoms for both children and adults. Zyrtec is also safe to take with most other medications because it has few drug interactions. Most people do not get any side effects from this medication either.
The only downside to taking Zyrtec is that although it works fast, the effectiveness of the drug wears off for some people over time.3 Nasacort also known as Triamcinolone also is an allergy symptom alleviator, but in nasal spray form. It happens to be the first-choice medication for treating runny and stuffy noses caused by allergies. It works by reducing inflammation in the nose.
Because it is used directly where the inflammation is happening, it has fewer side effects than oral steroids and has a lower chance of withdrawal symptoms once the medication is stopped. On the downside, Nasacort must be taken every day, not on an as-needed basis like Zyrtec. Since the medicine in Nasacort is a steroid, it can slow down the healing process of an injured nose or if someone has had nose surgery. Claritin or Loratadine also treats allergies. This medication is does not cause daytime drowsiness, has minimal side effects, provides quick relief to children and adults, and is available over-the-counter without a prescription, similar to Zyrtec. Claritin is not recommended if one has persistent, daily allergy symptoms and is not advised for children less than two years of age.8 Overall, Zyrtec and Claritin are more analogous than Zyrtec and Nasacort. Zyrtec combats the medical conditions like year-round allergies, seasonal allergies and asthma, to name a few, very well.
It is fast acting and people who take this medicine feel relief in as little as one hour. Most people experience at least twenty-four hours of relief after a single dose. The Zyrtec advertisement chosen, shown in Figure Two, explains how the drug works enitrely. It clearly states that Zyrtec is available without a prescription but still provides prescription strength. It says it is proven to relieve the worst allergy symptoms, giving examples of those symptoms, such as, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. It also clarifies how long Zyrtec lasts for, which is at least twenty-four hours. The only thing that cannot be found on the advertisement is the side effects of the drug. It seems that in a general sense, this advertisement is directed toward anyone with allergies that inhibit them from being outdoors.
In the picture, half of the woman is inside because she cannot go outside without having severe allergies representing someone who does not take Zyrtec. The other half of the woman is outside which represents someone who has been relieved of their allergy symptoms and is now able to enjoy herself in the outdoors as a result of taking Zyrtec. This advertisement is very accurate as to what the benefits of the drug are. It gives examples of symptoms someone might have and even provides a time frame of how long the drug will stay in one’s system. All of this information has been proven to be true, which is why it is a consumer product of choice across America.
The ad also provides possible reasons for one’s allergy symptoms, such as dust mites, pet dander, ragweed or pollen. It then presents a hopeful promise to relieve those troublesome symptoms. There are three sizes available for sale for three varying prices. The Zyrtec bottle of tablets comes in a fourteen count bottle, a thirty count bottle and a seventy count bottle.
The fourteen count bottle is twelve dollars and ninety-nine cents. The thirty count bottle costs eighteen dollars and ninety-nine cents and the seventy count bottle comes out to thirty-four dollars and ninety-nine cents. Every form of Zyrtec, the tablet, the liquid, and quick-dissolving tabs are available to everyone and are all in the same price range at their local drug stores. Zyrtec is by no means addictive. One’s body does not develop tolerance to antihistamines.
Once it is taken for months or even years, an increased dosage to get the same protection as it originally provided is not necessary. If it is stopped being taken suddenly, one is no more sensitive to allergens than when it was first taken.5 Cetirizine, otherwise known as it’s brand name, Zyrtec, is an antihistamine that blocks the symptoms of allergies. It works well to prevent the troublesome sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes caused by allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, ragweed or pollen for a full twenty-four hours. There are few side effects, including somnolence, dizziness and headaches, which happen to be left out of the advertisement.
The advertisement chosen is an accurate depiction of how the drug works and what it does to combat the symptoms of the allergens. The price of Zyrtec varies with the amount of medication desired. The prices usually range from twelve dollars and ninety-nine cents to thirty-four dollars and ninety-nine cents. Zyrtec is in no way addictive and can be used by people of all ages, considering it is also available in a children’s version. Zyrtec is the ideal drug to buy to combat the worst allergy symptoms for a twenty-four hour period of relief.
