A Zirtek a day ... keeps my allergies away (Zirtek Allergy Relief)

Member Name: Delicate_Orchid1

Product:	Zirtek Allergy Relief
Date:	01/08/06 (636 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Works right away

Disadvantages: None

Two years ago, when the rainy and damp autumn season commenced, I all of a sudden was faced with a ‘cold’ of immense impact. I had this irritating cough that would feel scratchy and uncomfortable in my chest, keep me from sleeping and make me feel groggy all day long. The days turned into weeks, the weeks into months. No cough medicine would help. Eventually I realised that this could not be an ordinary ‘cold’, it had to be something more serious. I went to see my GP, who was not of much help either. She told me that it might be a cold, in which case I could not do much about it. She also thought that I might have asthma. And she also thought I might need antibiotics.

I thought her suggestions were all rather strange – and since I had been facing this cough for such a long time, I had started to do some research of my own into causes. One thing I quickly discovered was that our windows were highly subject to condensation in the winter months. As a result, a nice layer of white mould had infested the window frames. I highly suspected that it had to do partially with the difference of temperatures on the inside and the outside of the house – and also with the damp laundry dispersed throughout the house (which takes about 3 days to dry in the winter months). So when I described the situation to my GP, she added another possible factor to the list – a mould and house dust allergy. In addition to the prescriptions for antibiotics and an inhaler, she suggested I try out an over-the-counter allergy relief product and scribbled the word ‘Zirtek’ on a piece of paper.

I am the kind of person who likes to take as little medicine as possible, so I decided to ignore the inhaler and antibiotics prescriptions and head straight for the Zirtek instead.


***The product***

Zirtek is available over the counter and is available as either a 7-day supply or a 21-day supply. I bought the 21-day pack, as it ends up being a lot cheaper.

On the front of the rectangular box, you can see the word Zirtek in blue lettering. Below that is its other name , also in blue ‘cetirizine hydrochloride’. Below the name you see a dark green stripe and a yellow stripe and four little circles with pictures of common allergies that Zirtek is supposed to relieve: hayfever, pet allergies, dust allergies and skin allergies.

On the back of the box you are informed that Zirtek is supposed to relieve hayfever and allergic rhintis such as dust, pet and mould allergies by combatting symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, sneezing and runny nose. It also is supposed to relieve the skin from hives and itching that may be associated with allergies.

The 21-day pack contains three silver blister packs, each containing 7 pills. These are arranged with 3 pills on one side and 4 on the other side. The pills are white and oval. Each pill is just a little bigger than a rice corn, approximately 1 cm long. On the top of the pill you see two “Y” engraved and a line down the middle, which enables you to know where to cut the pill if it is intended to be given to a child.

Each pill contains 10 mg of cetirizine hyrdochloride as an active ingredient. It also contains microcyrstalline celluose (E460), lactose, colloidal anhydrous silica and magnesium stearate (E 572). The coating of the pill contains hyrdroxypropylmethyl celluose (E464), titanium dioxide (E171) and polyethylene glycol.

Zirtek is known to have hardly any side-effects, but some people might experience headaches, an upset stomach, agitation, dry mouth, fits, drowsiness or dizziness.

Pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking Zirtek. Women who are breastfeeding or people with lactose intolerance should not use Zirtek at all.


***How to use***

Adults and children over the age of 6 should take one tablet a day. Children aged 6-12 have the option of either taking half a tablet twice a day or one tablet daily. You should only take one tablet in any 24 hour period – preferably at the same time. If you forget to take one of your pills, take it as soon as you remember. You should then wait at least 24 hours before taking your next pill.


***Price and availability***

Zirtek is available at all pharmacies. At Boots, the 7-day pack cost me £3.89 and the 21-day pack cost me £8.39.


***My experience***

For those of you who just hate swallowing pills, Zirtek is certainly good news. It is so tiny that it glides down with no problems. Just one recommendation - drink more than one sip of water with it, or else you might find it working its way up your chest again! I would recommend drinking at least ½ to 1 glass of water.

The pill is completely odourless – and as you should swallow the pill rather than chew it, you should find it tasteless as well.

I found that Zirtek works almost immediately – within the space of 20 minutes, the scratching in my chest disappeared and the cough subsided. The effect of the pill lasts almost 24 hours – I found that after about 22-23 hours, the irritation resurfaces somewhat, but disappears once I had my next dose of Zirtek.

When I used Zirtek last year, I only used it for the four days. Immediately when I started taking it, I also made sure to remove the source of my allergy as much as possible, by scrubbing down the window sills with bleach and making sure the whole house was hoovered in every corner. When I stopped using the medication, I found that I could exist normally again, without its help.

I have been on Zirtek for about 2 weeks now, and I am happy and allergy-free. This time I also went through the scrubbing and hovering process, but I just don’t dare to come off it quite yet, as my allergy seems to be resurfacing every day close to having to take the pill.

I cannot say that I have experienced any side-effects with Zirtek. There was one day where I felt very dizzy and short of breath while on a walk, but that day I had also taken four Migraleve, so I would put that effect down to a combination of the two substances. I am no doctor, though, so if you are frequently taking other medication, I would have a word with yours to see if you may experience any side-effects.


***The verdict***

I am very happy with Zirtek, as it is just such a relief not to be having this scratchy cough all the time. I highly recommend it, especially since it seems to have few side-effects. However, if your allergy is the type that can actually be removed from your life (such as dust and mould), I strongly suggest you do that in addition to taking Zirtek. It may help you come off the pills sooner and enjoy life without any assistance.


***Further information***

UCB Pharma Ltd
3, George Street
Watford, Herts WD18 0UH

Tel: (01923) 211811

RECOMMENDED.

Summary: Fast allergy relief.