1. Battle Pollen With Zyrtec
Zyrtec is prescribed to those suffering from seasonal allergies and is recommend for children two years of age and older. It covers both nasal and skin allergy symptoms and is indicated for symptoms due to seasonal allergy culprits like ragweed, grass, tree pollen and year-round allergens, such as pet dander, dust mites and molds. Be sure to call your doctor if you have any new symptoms or your symptoms do not improve.
2. Conditional Use for Certain Conditions
Zyrtec is a pregnancy risk category B, which means it is not expected to harm your unborn baby, but you should still check with your doctor about whether you should use Zyrtec if you are pregnant. This medication also passes on to a nursing infant so check with your obstetrician as to whether he would want to adjust your dose while you are nursing. Let your doctor know about all your existing conditions before she prescribes you anything, including Zyrtec. Also check with your doctor about adjusting the dose for your specific case as many conditions, such as renal failure and liver problems, require an adjusted dose.
3. Swallow, Chew or Drink It Up
Zyrtec comes in tablet, chewable tablet and liquid forms. Take the tablets with or without food and always fully chew any chewable tablets before swallowing. If using the liquid form, be sure to measure the liquid with a special dosing syringe or medicine cup for proper dosing.
4. No Zyrtec Margaritas Please
If your doctor has prescribed Zyrtec, most will recommend you avoid alcohol while taking it. This is because Zyrtec can make you drowsy and alcohol can increase this effect. You'll also want to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications that can make you drowsy. These medications may include prescriptions for depression, anxiety, sleeping pills, certain pain or allergy medicine, muscle relaxers or seizure medication. If you experience any new symptoms while taking Zyrtec, check with your doctor about adjusting the dose of these medications to help alleviate the drowsiness associated with them.
5. Keep an Eye on the Side Effects
Call your doctor if you have a fever while taking Zyrtec. If you have any allergic symptoms, such as facial swelling, hives, or swelling of your tongue, lips or throat, get emergency medical treatment immediately. Call your doctor at once if you experience heart pounding or irregular heartbeat, sleep problems, tremors or weakness, restlessness, confusion or hyperactivity, vision or urination problems such as less urine output or not urinating at all. Some things that may go away with time during treatment with Zyrtec include dry mouth, headache, nausea, constipation, sore throat, cough, dizziness, drowsiness or tired feeling. Have your doctor review these symptoms before dismissing them as just a temporary side effect of taking Zyrtec.
