02/05/10

Zyrtec is is an anti-allergic antihistamine drug, a selective H1-receptor antagonist that does not have marked anticholinergic and serotonergic effects.

Zyrtec is a medication for the entire family, including babies and newborns aged 6 months and older. Therefore, for many families in which the problem of allergy is actual, the medication may be a necessary preparation of the home first-aid set.

Zyrtec does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier, inhibits the early phase of the allergic reaction, reduces the migration of inflammatory cells, inhibits the release of mediators which participate in the late stage of allergic reaction.

A research made by ERTAC conducted for 18 months showed that treatment with Zyrtec started between 1st and 2nd years of life in children with atopic dermatitis sensitized to grass pollen or house dust, significantly reduces the incidence of subsequent asthma: 50% less in the sensitized to grass pollen and 40% less in the sensitized to house dust. Thus, Zyrtec prevents the development of a typical atopic bronchial asthma in children with high risk of its development. Children receiving Zyrtec maintain the low risk of asthma during 18 months after the therapy as well.

In the comparative study of loratadine and Zyrtec to define the effective dose to eliminate skin reaction to histamine was noted that in order to reduce hyperemia area with 50%, it was necessary to take a dose of loratadine 7 times bigger than a dose of Zyrtec (after 2 hours).

Zyrtec is a well-studied innovative second-generation antihistamine drug effective in a wide range of allergic diseases. Besides pronounced and rapid (within 20-60 minutes) relief of allergy symptoms, in a long-term therapy the drug demonstrates additional anti-allergic effects. In this connection, Zyrtec is considered as a possible bronchial asthma prevention measure.

Effectiveness and good tolerance of Zyrtec result in high patients loyalty to the therapy: according to a survey of 180 thousand respondents, 95% of patients who had been prescribed the medication did not abandon its administration.

Based on different studies and experience in using Zyrtec, this medication can be recommended for a long term use in patients with chronic allergic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, as well as for prophylaxis of bronchial asthma in children from a high-risk group.

A good news is that now Zyrtec is available over-the-counter in a generic form which let allergy sufferers to have it without a prescription.