Alnix Syrup/Alnix Drops

Cetirizine dihydrochloride (Alnix) 2.5 mg/mL syrup (oral drops) and Cetirizine dihydrochloride (Alnix) 5 mg/5 mL syrup: Colorless to slightly yellow-colored, clear syrup with fruity grape odor, and sweet grape taste using the TasteRite Technology.*
Each mL syrup (oral drops) contains: Cetirizine dihydrochloride 2.5 mg.
Each 5 mL (1 teaspoonful) syrup contains: Cetirizine dihydrochloride 5 mg.
*TasteRite Technology is a unique tastemasking system developed specifically for liquid dosage forms. This technology significantly reduces the bitterness of medicine so that children taste the flavor and not the medicine.

This medicine contains cetirizine, an anti-allergy. Cetirizine blocks the action of histamine, a substance that causes allergic symptoms. Cetirizine is less likely to cause drowsiness and dizziness than the older class of anti-allergy medicines.

This medicine is used for the relief of symptoms associated with: allergic rhinitis such as sneezing; runny, itchy nose; and itchy, watery eyes; allergic conjunctivitis; skin symptoms of allergy such as itch and rash.

The medicine should be taken orally (by mouth). (See table.)

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Note: Dose adjustment is needed in elderly patients and those with kidney and liver disease.
Missed Dose: If the patient misses a dose, just take the next dose if still needed for the condition being treated and the subsequent doses at the recommended time or schedule.
Do not double the dose.

Adverse events reported after intake of at least 5 times the recommended daily dose are: confusion, diarrhea, dizziness, excessive tiredness, headache, feeling of bodily discomfort, mydriasis (pupil dilation), itchiness, restlessness, sedation, somnolence (drowsiness/sleepiness), stupor (decreased mental alertness), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), tremor, and urinary retention.
What to do when the patient has taken more than the recommended dosage: If patient has taken more than the recommended dosage, consult a doctor.

If the patient is allergic to cetirizine or other ingredients in the product.
If the patient has serious kidney problems.

May cause drowsiness. Exercise caution when engaging in activities requiring mental alertness.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption when taking this medicine.
Do not take more than the recommended dose.
When to consult a Doctor: Ask a doctor before use if: the patient has kidney or liver disease.
The patient is epileptic or at risk of convulsions.
The patient has difficulty passing urine.
The patient is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Patient is due for an allergy testing.
Stop use and ask a doctor if: Symptoms worsen or do not improve.
New symptoms occur.
Any undesirable effect occurs.

The most common undesirable effects of cetirizine include: For adults and children over 12 years: abdominal pain, dizziness, dry mouth, excessive tiredness, headache, nausea, pharyngitis (sore throat), somnolence (drowsiness/sleepiness).
For children ages 6 months to 12 years: abdominal pain, bronchospasm (sudden, uncontrolled narrowing of airways in lungs), cough, diarrhea, epistaxis (nose bleeding), excessive tiredness, headache, nausea, pharyngitis (sore throat), somnolence (drowsiness/sleepiness), vomiting.
The following undesirable effects have also been reported with cetirizine use: Infections and infestations: Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi), conjunctivitis (irritation and redness of the thin membrane covering the eye), pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs).
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps): Nasal polyp.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Hemolytic anemia (anemia resulting from destruction of red blood cells), lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), thrombocytopenia (decreased number of platelets).
Immune system disorders: Anaphylaxis (rare, life-threatening allergic reactions), angioedema (rapid swelling of the skin), facial edema, glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney), hypersensitivity, periorbital edema (accumulation of fluid surrounding the eye socket), urticaria (hives).
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Anorexia (decreased appetite), edema (swelling), increased appetite, generalized edema, leg edema, peripheral edema.
Psychiatric disorders: Aggression, anxiety, confusion, depersonalization, depression, dysphonia (disorder of the voice), emotional lability, enuresis (involuntary urination), euphoria (exaggerated feeling of well-being), hallucination, hyperventilation (rapid or deep breathing), insomnia, nervousness, suicidal ideation.
Nervous system disorders: Abnormal coordination, abnormal thinking, agitation, amnesia, blurred vision, convulsions, dysgeusia (changed taste), hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity to any stimulation), hyperkinesia (hyperactivity), hypoesthesia (abnormally decreased sensitivity), impaired concentration, involuntary movements (dyskinesia, dystonia, tics), memory impairment, migraine, myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord), oculogyration (uncontrolled circular movement of the eyeballs), orofacial dyskinesia (involuntary movement of the mouth and face), paradoxical central nervous system stimulation, paralysis, paresthesia (abnormal sensation such as burning, prickling or tingling), paroniria (nightmare), ptosis (drooping of eyelids), seizures, sleep disorders, tremor, vertigo, visual field defect.
Eye disorders: Blindness, eye accommodation (focusing) disorders, eye bleeding, eye pain, glaucoma, xerophthalmia (dry eye).
Ear and labyrinth disorders: Deafness, otalgia (ear pain), tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Cardiac disorders: Cardiac failure, chest pain, dyspnea (shortness of breath), heart failure, palpitation, tachycardia (rapid heart rate).
Vascular disorders: Anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction), hemorrhoids, hot flushes, hypertension (increased blood pressure), pallor (pale skin), rectal bleeding, syncope (fainting/temporary loss of consciousness).
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Increased sputum, parosmia (distorted sense of smell), respiratory disorder, rhinitis (inflammation of the nose), sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Changed taste, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia (indigestion, feeling of fullness), enlarged abdomen, eructation (burping), flatulence (gassiness), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), increased salivation, melena (black stools), stomatitis/ulcerative stomatitis (mouth sores), swelling of the tongue, taste loss, tongue discoloration, tooth caries.
Hepatobiliary disorders: Abnormal liver function (elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin), cholestasis (inflammation of the gall bladder), hepatitis.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Acne, alopecia (baldness), bullous eruption (large blisters), dermatitis (skin inflammation), dry skin, eczema, fixed drug eruption, furunculosis (boils), hyperkeratosis (thickened skin), hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth), photosensitivity, pruritus (itchiness), purpura (small purple-red skin marks), rash, seborrhea (oily skin), skin disorder, skin nodule.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Back pain, hypertonia (muscle stiffness), rigors (shaking), twitching.
Renal and urinary disorders: Cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder), difficulty in urinating, dysuria (painful urination), hematuria (blood in the urine), polyuria (excessive urination), urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urinary tract infection, urination frequency.
Reproductive system and breast disorders: Breast pain in women, decreased libido, dysmenorrhea, intermenstrual bleeding, leukorrhea (whitish vaginal discharge), menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding), vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina).
General disorders and administration site conditions: Asthenia (weakness), ataxia (incoordination), fever, malaise (feeling of bodily discomfort), pain.
Investigations: Increased weight.
Injury, poisoning, and procedural complications: Accidental injury, ototoxicity (ear poisoning).

Do not use this product together with alcohol, medicines for anxiety or sleep disorder (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Chlordiazepoxide, Temazepam, Triazolam, etc.), medicines for depression (e.g. Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Nortriptyline, Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Paroxetine, etc.), other cold or allergy medicines, or any other medicines that cause drowsiness, sleepiness and relaxation because of the possibility for increased toxicity.
The extent of absorption of cetirizine is not reduced with food, although the rate of absorption is decreased by 1 hour.
Tell the doctor if the patient is taking other medicines, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal medicines.

Store at temperatures not exceeding 30°C.

Antihistamines & Antiallergics

R06AE07 - cetirizine ; Belongs to the class of piperazine derivatives used as systemic antihistamines.

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