4H2 Pill: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Addiction
1. If you have a severe kidney disease (severe renal failure with creatinine clearance below 10 ml/min).
4h2 Pill: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Precautions
4h2 Pill is a white eliptical/oval pill, which is identified as a second-generation antihistamine Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg Tablet.
4h2 pill can be used in allergic symptoms such as allergic rhinitis, chronic idiopathic urticaria, allergic asthma, contact dermatitis & skin itching.
4h2 pill
How does 4h2 Pill Works?
Cetirizine is an human metabolite of hydroxyzine, which is an antihistamine and a selective inhibitor of H1 receptors in the body.
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Cetirizine primarily inhibit H1-receptors in vascular endothelial cells, immune cells, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory smooth muscle.
Histamine is prominent contributor to allergic conditions. when our body detects foreign substance contact, it releases histamine which is responsible for allergic responses of the skin, nose, and airways.
4h2 Pill (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) by blocking the histamine release in human body it blocks allergic reactions in human body.
Key Facts Of 4h2 pill
- Active Ingredient of 4h2 pill is a Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg.
- It’s usual to take 4h2 pill once a day. but due to severity of the symptoms your doctor may advice it twice a day.
- 4h2 pill is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, but still some people find it makes them feel quite sleepy.
- Common side effects include headaches, stomach pain, feeling sick, dizziness, dry mouth and diarrhoea.
- It’s best not to drink alcohol while you’re taking 4h2 pill as it can make you feel sleepy.
4h2 Pill (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) produces lesser sedation as compare to first-generation antihistamines
4h2 Pill (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) does not like cross blood-brain barrier, As a result, it avoids human neurons of the central nervous system & produces minimal to no sedation compared to many of the first-generation antihistamines.(Source)
4h2 Pill Uses
1.Allergic Rhinitis
it is an allergic condition with a group of symptoms affecting the nose. allergic rhinitis occurs when you breathe in allergic substances such as dust, pollen or animal dander.
Allergic food can also cause allergic rhinitis. Nearly 8 percent of adults in the United States experience allergic rhinitis at some point of their life.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology it is estimated that 10 and 30 percent of the worldwide population may also have allergic rhinitis.
4h2 Pill (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) use in allergic rhinitis: 4h2 Pill, is a highly specific H1 receptor antagonist with lower sedation. it also produces anticholinergic effects at the higher doses required for bronchodilation.
Which may be useful for treating concomitant allergy and symptoms of allergic conditions like allergic rhinitis.
In this study 28 patients (13 females and 15 males) aged 13 to 59 years having allergic rhinitis are treated with 4h2 Pill (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) twice daily. which resulted in significant reduction of symptoms of rhinitis like itchy nose, nasal congestion, and watery eyes.
In an another 2-week clinical trial of 296 patients with allergic rhinitis. All patients were initially treated with 10 mg of cetirizine per day. they all responded well to cetirizine and showed greater efficacy and reduced symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
2.Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
According to Allergol Immunopathol (Madr), Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a common skin condition that affects 0.1-3 % of people in the USA and Europe and accounts for nearly 75 % of all chronic urticaria cases.
In this study cetirizine (4h2 Pill) was proven to be more effective than fexofenadine in the treatment of Chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Total Ninety-seven patients treated with 52 cetirizine & 45 fexofenadine. at the end of the study patients completely free from symptoms was 51.9% in cetirizine (27) & 4.4% in fexofenadine (2).
In another study, it is proven that Cetirizine 10 mg (4h2 Pill) once daily was equivalent to hydroxyzine 25 mg tid in controlling the symptoms of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.
3.Allergic Asthma
Allergic asthma is a asthma which occurs due to the same allergens which causes skin itch, watery eyes or sinusitis.
It is estimated that around 92% of kids in childhood asthma have allergies compared to 52% of adults with asthma.
4h2 Pill (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) use in allergic asthma: In a higher doses of Cetirizine, it has a significant bronchodilatory effect in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma and can be used to treat concomitant conditions.
In this study, 10 to 20 mg of Cetirizine once or twice daily significantly improved allergic asthma symptoms compared to placebo or terfenadine 60 mg twice a day.
4.Contact Dermatitis
allergic contact dermatitis is considered as an delayed (type 4) hypersensitivity reaction to exogenous contact allergens.
when a human comes in a contact with allergens human’s immune system in response to its defense releases a allergic reaction.
This study says, Cetirizine (4h2 Pill) having better duration of action and consistency of the antihistaminic activity than fexofenadine in histamine-induced allergic skin reactions.
4h2 Pill (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) Dosage
4h2 Pill (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) is a once a daily tablet & can be taken with or without food. the time of administration may be varied to suit individual patient needs.
The recommended daily dose of 4h2 Pill is a single tablet once a daily, but again this also depend on the what condition you have and how strong the symptoms are.
it is advised to have 4h2 Pill at same time on each day if you are taking it for longer duration.
Side Effects Of 4h2 Pill
Despite the fact that cetirizine have comparatively lower side effects than other second generation antihistamine, cetirizine 4h2 Pill also produces some side effects. although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects Of 4h2 Pill
Side effects of 4h2 Pill are rare and may happen in 1 out of 100 users.
If these side effects bother you or does not goes away on their own you should consult to doctor or healthcare provider.
- headache
- dry mouth
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- tingling in your hands and feet
- itching/rash
- feeling sleepy and tired
- nausea
- feeling dizzy
Precautions & Warnings Of 4h2 Pill
In clinical trials, somnolence was noted with use of 4h2 Pill – Ceitirizine therefore be exercised when driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery.
Concurrent use of 4h2 Pill with alcohol or other CNS depressants should be avoided because it may lead to impairment of CNS performance & additional reductions in alertness of CNS.
There are not enough or adequate & well-controlled studies on pregnant women to determine safety of 4h2 Pill. this pill should be used in pregnancy only if clearly needed or directed by a doctor.
In animals studies 4h2 Pill was found to be excreted in breast milk. Because 4h2 Pill is excreted in human milk, use of 4h2 Pill in nursing mothers is not recommended.
4h2 Pill is excreted mainly by the kidney & this pill may increases the chances of toxic reactions in the patient with impaired renal function.
Elderly patient’s have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may
be useful to monitor renal function.
Drug Interaction Of 4h2 Pill
Drug interaction study of cetirizine in adults were conducted with pseudoephedrine, antipyrine, ketoconazole, erythromycin and azithromycin and it shows no interactions.
Theophylline decreases clearance of cetirizine by 16%.
Following Drugs Have Serious Interaction with 4h2 Pill
- Lasmiditan
- Isocarboxazid
- Erdafitinib
- Metoclopramide intranasal
- Sotorasib
- Tranylcypromine
- Tepotinib
Abacavir: Cetirizine reduces excretion rate of Abacavir resulting to higher serum levels of abacavir.
Aceclofenac: it decreases excretion rate of 4h2 Pill.
Pharmacokinetics of 4h2 Pill
Absorption Of 4h2 pill in body:
Cetirizine gets rapidly absorb & it takes around 1 hour to achieve maximum concentration following oral administration of tablets or syrup in adults.
Food has no effect on absorption of 4h2 pill, so it can be taken with or without food.
Distribution Of 4h2 pill in body:
After absorbtion of 4h2 pill it is distributed by protein binding in body, independent of
concentration in the range of 25-1000 ng/mL.
Metabolism of 4h2 pill in body
4h2 pill is metabolized by oxidative O-dealkylation to a metabolite with negligible antihistaminic activity.
Elimination of 4h2 pill from body
The mean elimination half-life noted in studies was around 8.3 hours and apparent total body clearance for cetirizine was approximately 53 mL/min.
FAQs Of 4h2 pill
- Why is 4h2 pill prescribed? 4h2 pill contains antihistamine cetirizine drug, which can be prescribed in the treatment of allergic symptoms such as allergic rhinitis, chronic idiopathic urticaria, allergic asthma, contact dermatitis & skin itching.
- What happens in case of overdose of 4h2 pill? overdose symptoms are seen when a patient takes 4h2 pill over 150 mg. restlessness and irritability are the early signs of 4h2 pill overdose followed by heavy drowsiness.
- How to store 4h2 pill? Store 4h2 pill in the container it came in, keep it tightly closed and out of reach of children’s and pets. also keep it away from direct sunlight & in moist conditions.
- Who should not consume 4h2 pill? People having allergy to cetirizne should not consume this pill.
People having an intolerance to or can’t absorb some sugars, such as lactose or sorbitol.
People with kidney or liver disease. - How and when to take 4h2 pill? The usual dose is a single pill a day with or without food. follow the doctor’s advice on when and how to take the 4h2 pill.
- What if I forget a dose of 4h2 pill? if you forget a dose of 4h2 pill then you should consume it as soon as you remember. but however, if the time of your next dose is close then skip the previous missed dose and carry on with next dosing schedule.
- is 4h2 pill is safe in pregnancy? there is not enough human clinical data to say whether 4h2 pill is safe or not in pregnancy. it is adviced to consult your doctor in such situation to use 4h2 pill.
- can 4h2 pill be used while breastfeeding? 4h2 pill does passes through the mother’s breast milk and may cause side effects in child. in such conditions 4h2 pill should be avoided & alternative pills should be consulted from the doctor.
- does 4h2 pill affect my fertility? There’s no firm evidence to suggest that taking 4h2 pill will reduce fertility in either men or women.
4H2 Pill: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Addiction
Pill 4h2 is a white, oval elliptical tablet containing 10 milligrams of a non-sedating antihistamine that works by blocking histamine (H-1) receptors known as cetirizine. Histamine is a substance responsible for many of the signs and symptoms that accompanies allergic reactions, for example, swelling of the lining of the nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. The medication is supplied by Perrigo Company.
What is 4h2 Pill Used For?
The white oval pill 4h2 is a very effective and potent medication for the treatment of allergic symptoms related to Asthma, Rhinitis and Utricaria. This includes symptoms such as:
- running nose
- watery eyes
- sneezing
- skin itching
- hives
4H2 Pill does not prevent hives or prevent/treat a serious allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis). Therefore, if your doctor has prescribed epinephrine to treat allergic reactions, always carry your epinephrine injector with you. Do not use cetirizine in place of your epinephrine.
What Are The Side Effects Of 4h2 Pill?
Like all medicines, 4 H2 10 mg Tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects have been reported in post marketing experience:
Gastro-intestinal disorders: common: dry mouth, nausea (feeling sick), diarrhoea uncommon: abdominal pain
Blood and lymphatic disorder: very rare: thrombocytopenia (low levels of blood platelets)
Body as a whole: common: fatigue
Cardiac disorders: rare: tachycardia (heart beating fast)
Eye disorders: very rare: accommodation disorder (impaired ability of the eye to focus), blurred vision, oculogyration (eyes moving in an uncontrolled circular manner)
General disorders and administration site conditions: uncommon: asthenia (feeling of weakness), malaise (feeling of being generally unwell) rare: oedema (swelling)
Immune system disorders: rare: allergic reactions, some severe (very rare)
Hepatobiliary disorders: rare: liver function abnormal
Psychiatric disorders: common: somnolence (sleepiness) uncommon: agitation rare: aggression, confusion, depression, hallucination, insomnia (difficulty in sleeping) very rare: tics (sudden abnormal repetitive muscle movement)
Renal and urinary disorders: very rare: abnormal elimination of urine
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: uncommon: pruritus (itching), rash rare: urticaria (swelling, redness and itchiness of the skin) very rare: oedema (swelling), fixed drug eruption
Respiratory system disorders: common: pharyngitis (sore throat), rhinitis (swelling and irritation inside the nose)
Nervous system disorders: common: dizziness, headache uncommon: paraesthesia (abnormal feelings of the skin) rare: convulsions, movements disorders very rare: syncope (fainting), tremor, dysgeusia (altered taste) frequency not known: loss of memory, memory impairment
Taking 4h2 Pills with food and Alcohol
Food does not noticeably affect the absorption of cetirizine. In addition, no interactions having a noticeable impact have been observed between alcohol (at the blood level of 0.5 per mille (g/l) corresponding to one glass of wine) and cetirizine used at the recommended doses. However, as it is the case with all antihistamines, it is recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine.
Warnings about 4H2 Pills
You should not take 4h2 Tablets
1. If you have a severe kidney disease (severe renal failure with creatinine clearance below 10 ml/min).
2. If you are known to be allergic (hypersensitive) to the active substance of 4H2 pill (Cetirizine) or any of the other ingredients of these tablets .
3. If you are known to be allergic (hypersensitive) to hydroxyzine (closely related active substances of other medicines).
4. If you are known to be allergic (hypersensitive) to drugs from the piperazine family, for example buclizine, cyclizine, meclozine, levocetirizine.
5. If you have an intolerance to some sugars, unless your doctor tells you to (this medicine contains lactose).
Take special care with 4H2 Pills
If you have kidney problems, please ask your doctor for advice; if necessary, you may have to take a lower dose. The new dose will be determined by your doctor.
If you are an epileptic patient or a patient at risk of convulsions, you should ask your doctor for advice.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Due to the profile of cetirizine, no interactions with other drugs are expected.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Ask your doctor for advice before taking any medicine. As with other drugs, use of Cetirizine 10 mg tablets should be avoided by pregnant women. Accidental use of the drug by a pregnant woman should not produce any harmful effects on the foetus. Nevertheless, the administration of the medicine should be discontinued. You should not take Cetirizine 10 mg Tablets during breast-feeding because cetirizine passes into breast milk.
Driving and using machines
Clinical studies have produced no evidence of impaired attention, alertness and driving capabilities after taking Cetirizine Tablets at the recommended dose. If you intend to drive, operate machinery, or perform other tasks that need your full attention, you should not exceed the recommended dose and you should closely observe your response to the drug. If you are a sensitive patient, you may find that the simultaneous use of alcohol or other nervous depressant agents may additionally affect your attention and ability to react.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Cetirizine 10 mg Tablets
4H2 pills contain lactose; if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, please contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Allergy skin test
If you are going to have an allergy skin test, stop taking Cetirizine tablets for three days before the test.
Can 4h2 Pill Be Used During Pregnancy?
There is no proven risk in humans during pregnancy, however, it is always safer to use loratadine first because there is more available information about its safety in pregnancy.
Is 4h2 Pill a Controlled Drug?
No, Cetirizine 10 mg or 4h2 pill is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). However, some public health experts are calling for the medication to be classified as a controlled substance owing to the haphazard consumption of the drug which is increasingly becoming a public health challenge. Illicit drug users snort 4h2 Pill to get pseudo high, a practice riddled with many health risks.
Can 4h2 Get You High?
No, you cannot get high with 4h2 pill. The common side effects include fatigue, dry mouth, and pharyngitis.
How Many Cetirizine or 4h2 Pill Can You Take in a Day?
The standard adult dose for 4h2 Pill is one tablet daily, which is also the maximum recommended dose. Studies have shown that taking an overdose of pill 4h2 confers no advantage whatsoever.
How To Use 4H2 Pill
If you are using the chewable tablets, chew each tablet well and swallow. If you are using the rapidly-dissolving tablet, allow the tablet to dissolve on the tongue and then swallow, with or without water. If you are using the liquid form of this medication, measure the dose carefully using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than directed. Tell your doctor if your allergy symptoms do not improve, if your hives do not improve after 3 days of treatment, or if your hives last more than 6 weeks. Get medical help right away if your condition worsens or if you think you have a serious medical problem (such as a very serious allergic reaction/anaphylaxis).
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