Few people love allergies, rejoice in them, enjoy red eyes, a stuffy nose, inability to breathe, scabies, sneezing and other joys. Few people greet hay fever as an old and beloved friend. Most people still try to get rid of intrusive and unpleasant allergy symptoms. Be it seasonal or year-round. The pharmaceutical market offers a huge number of anti-allergy drugs. Today we will talk about the drug Zodak, which is produced in the Czech Republic. This is an effective antihistamine and antiallergic agent that is used for various types of allergies in adults and children over 6 years of age. Zodak is produced in the form of tablets and drops, which can be given to children from 6 months (as prescribed by a doctor and under strict medical supervision).
The active ingredient of the drug is cetirizine, a competitive histamine antagonist. This means that cetirizine binds to histamine receptors, which are mainly involved in the development of allergies, and blocks them. And allergic reactions are thus stopped. Cetirizine affects the early stage of allergic reactions and also reduces the migration of inflammatory cells; inhibits the release of mediators involved in a late allergic reaction. Reduces capillary permeability, prevents the development of tissue edema, relieves spasm of smooth muscles.
Today, there is a division of antiallergic drugs into generations. There are only three of them. Zodak belongs to the second.
Second generation drugs have less effect on the central nervous system, since they are selective with respect to receptors. But with selectivity, the effectiveness of anti-allergy drugs disappears when compared with the first generation. Zodak prevents the development and facilitates the course of allergic reactions at any stage of occurrence, has an antiallergic and antipruritic effect. Judging by studies of the effect of Zodak on the human body, the drug is well tolerated and does not cause addiction. If you follow the dosage indicated in the instructions for use and selected by your doctor, you will not experience drowsiness, which is the problem with first-generation antihistamines.
Cetirizine affects the early stage of allergic reactions and also reduces the migration of inflammatory cells; inhibits the release of mediators involved in a late allergic reaction. Reduces capillary permeability, prevents the development of tissue edema, relieves spasm of smooth muscles.
In what cases should you use
It is advisable to use the drug for the following problems and pathologies:
- allergic rhinitis (seasonal or year-round);
- hives;
- Quincke's edema;
- hay fever
The drug should be taken only after consultation with a specialist and as prescribed. This will minimize the likelihood of complications and adverse reactions. The product is intended for oral administration regardless of the time of meal.
Analogues of Zodak
Choosing an allergy drug is a joint effort between the patient and the doctor. It is not always easy or quick, but only together is it possible to find an effective and safe remedy against allergies. The Zodak analogs listed below, as well as the drug in question, reduce the severity of allergies, improve the patient’s well-being, and can be taken both in courses and as an emergency medicine.
Figure 6 - Analogues of the active substance Cetirizine
Analogues of Zodak: Allertek, Letizen, Zetrinal, Alerza, Parlazin, Cetirizine, Zintset, Cetrin, Zirtec, Suprastin, Claritin.
Zodak or Suprastin?
Both Zodak and Suprastin are antihistamines. They are primarily distinguished by the active substance in the composition and the generation of the drugs themselves. So Suprastin belongs to the first generation, which is characterized by the occurrence of drowsiness after administration. And Zodak is a medicine of the second generation. More selective with regard to blocking histamine receptors. Suprastin increases appetite, the activity of the bronchial glands, dilates the bronchi and peripheral vessels. Therefore, if a patient has bronchospasm or laryngospasm, then Suprastin is contraindicated for him.
Both drugs cope well with allergic reactions of the body. Suprastin quickly relieves allergy symptoms, fights its more severe manifestations, skin itching, and with additional therapy for Quincke's edema. The Zodak effect is weaker, but longer lasting, reaching several hours. Another advantage of Zodak is another dosage form - drops. They are convenient for children, elderly patients and those who cannot or do not like to swallow tablets. As for children, the prescription and use of any medication, including antiallergic medications, must be accompanied by a mandatory consultation with a pediatrician.
Both drugs are approved for children. Suprastin - from 3 years, Zodak - from 6 months. It is believed that Zodak is safer for children. Both Zodak and Suprastin are prohibited for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These antihistamines have more modern analogues that cause fewer side effects. Suprastin and Zodak are used most successfully in adults during seasonal exacerbations.
How to drink Zodak drops
Drops are intended for oral administration. Before taking them, you need to dissolve the drops in water. Persons over 12 years of age can be given 20 drops per day, which must be taken at a time. It is best to take the drug in the evening. A child from 6 to 12 years old is prescribed 20 drops at a time, or they can be divided into 10 drops in the morning and evening. Children aged 1-6 years are given 5 drops 2 times a day. In case of renal failure, it is worth reducing the dose by half. In old age, with normal kidney function, there is no need to change the dosage.
Pharmacological properties of the drug Zodak
Cetirizine is a second generation antihistamine with a prolonged action. A selective inhibitor of peripheral H1 receptors, it does not have pronounced anticholinergic and antiserotonin activity. In therapeutic doses, the drug exhibits virtually no sedative activity and does not cause drowsiness. Cetirizine affects the early histamine-dependent stage of allergic reactions and the late cellular stage, inhibits the release of histamine from fat cells and basophilic leukocytes, and reduces the migration of inflammatory cells, primarily eosinophils. Cetirizine exhibits linear kinetics in the dose range of 5–60 mg. The terminal half-life is approximately 10 hours and the total volume of distribution is 0.50 L/kg. After taking a daily dose of 10 mg for 10 days, no accumulation effect of cetirizine was observed. At steady state, the maximum level of the drug in the blood plasma is 300 ng/ml and is achieved within 1.0±0.5 hours. Cetirizine binds to plasma proteins in an amount of 93±0.3%. Cetirizine does not affect the binding of warfarin to plasma proteins. During its initial passage through the liver, cetirizine is not actively metabolized. About 2/3 of the substance is excreted unchanged in the urine. In a study on volunteers, no differences in pharmacokinetic parameters, such as maximum concentration and AUC, were observed. There were no differences in the kinetics of cetirizine in adults depending on race. Food intake does not affect the amount of absorption of cetirizine, but the rate of absorption is reduced. The bioavailability of cetirizine is the same for any form of the drug: drops, syrup and tablets.
How to take syrup
Adults and children over 12 years of age can take 2 scoops per day. Children from 6 to 12 years old can be given 2 measuring spoons per day (they are taken at one time or divided into 1 spoon for morning and evening). Children aged 2-6 years are given 1 scoop per day or divided into 2 doses in the morning and evening.
In case of renal failure, the dosage should be halved. Elderly people who do not have kidney problems do not need to adjust the dosage.
During use, please follow the instructions for using the safety cap. If a person is additionally taking other medications, then you should consult your doctor in advance.
Adverse reactions and overdose
Basically, the medication is well accepted by the body. But in rare cases, negative reactions are still possible:
- from the gastrointestinal tract: feeling of dry mouth, dyspepsia;
- from the central nervous system: lethargy, nervousness, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, headache;
- allergic reactions: rashes, urticaria.
If you neglect the medication regimen, an overdose may occur. It is manifested by the following symptoms: lethargy and drowsiness, headache, excessive fatigue, abnormal heartbeat. You may also feel irritable or constipated.
With such symptoms, you need to engage in symptomatic therapy.
Side effects of the drug Zodak
In contrast to previous H1 receptor antagonists, cetirizine penetrates less into the central nervous system, resulting in a noticeably lower sedative effect. Clinical studies indicate that at recommended doses, CNS side effects of cetirizine are moderate, including drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness and headache. In some cases, there have been reports of paradoxical stimulation of the central nervous system. Although cetirizine is a selective antagonist of peripheral H1 receptors and does not have a significant anticholinergic effect, there have been reports of paradoxical stimulation of the central nervous system in some cases, isolated reports of difficulty urinating, impaired ocular accommodation and a feeling of dry mouth. There have also been cases of liver dysfunction with increased levels of liver enzymes, accompanied by increased bilirubin levels. In most cases, these symptoms disappeared after stopping treatment with the drug.
special instructions
Shelf life – 36 months from the date of release. The drug in any form should be kept in a dark place, away from children, at room temperature.
Elderly people, as well as people with liver and kidney diseases, should take it with caution. For elderly patients, the treatment regimen should be determined individually.
Do not take the drug in parallel with alcoholic drinks, as well as with medications that have a depressing effect on the nervous system.
After taking it, it is better to stop driving a car and operating other dangerous mechanisms for a while.
Since the drops contain no sugar, they can be taken by patients with diabetes.
If a person is also taking other medications for allergies, then the possibility of interaction must be taken into account.
Indications
Figure 1 - Zodak is usually prescribed for allergic rhinitis
Since Zodak is an antihistamine, it is prescribed for allergies of various origins. Indications for use of Zodak include:
- seasonal and year-round allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis;
- itchy allergic dermatoses;
- hay fever;
- urticaria (including chronic idiopathic);
- angioedema.
Contraindications
Zodak helps relieve allergic symptoms, reduces the activity of histamine receptors, and helps prevent sneezing and stuffy nose. But even with all the positive features and properties, Zodak has contraindications for use. Please read the list carefully and take Zodak only as directed by your doctor. So, the instructions for use of Zodak include among the contraindications:
- individual intolerance and hypersensitivity to the components of the drug; bronchospasm;
- end-stage renal failure (creatinine clearance <10 ml/min)/severe nephropathy; porphyria;
- hereditary galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome; children under 6 years of age;
- pregnancy, lactation period.
Zodak is prescribed with caution to elderly patients, as well as to those with a history of moderate to severe chronic renal/liver failure.
It should be remembered that antihistamines of the 1st and 2nd generations often cause drowsiness, which means that while taking Zodak you should not engage in potentially dangerous activities that require attention, concentration and speed of reactions.
Side effects
Judging by studies of the human body's reactions to Zodak, the drug is well and easily tolerated. However, this does not exclude the possibility of possible adverse reactions. The list of undesirable reactions of the body to taking Zodak is quite large, but side effects occur quite rarely and are transient.
Figure 2 - One of the side effects of the drug may be - Tachycardia
- Blood and lymphatic system disorders: thrombocytopenia.
- Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylactic shock.
- Nervous system disorders: headache, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, paresthesia, convulsions, motor dysfunction, taste perversion, dyskinesia, dystonia, fainting, tremor, tic, memory impairment, including amnesia.
- Mental disorders: agitation, aggression, confusion, depression, hallucinations, sleep disturbance, suicidal ideation.
Violations of the organ of vision: disturbances of accommodation, blurred vision, nystagmus. - Hearing and labyrinthine disorders: vertigo.
- Digestive system disorders: dry mouth, nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
- Cardiac disorders: tachycardia.
- Disorders of the respiratory system, chest and mediastinal organs: rhinitis, pharyngitis.
- Metabolic and nutritional disorders: weight gain.
- Renal and urinary tract disorders: dysuria, enuresis, urinary retention.
- Laboratory and instrumental data: changes in liver function tests, thrombocytopenia.
- Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: rash, itching, urticaria, angioedema, persistent erythema.
- General disorders: asthenia, malaise, peripheral edema, increased appetite.
