What Are Piriteze Allergy Tablets?

Piriteze Allergy Tablets are film-coated tablets engraved with C10 on one side and a break line on the other. Each tablet contains cetirizine hydrochloride 10 mg as the active ingredient.

The tablets also contain microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol, titanium dioxide (E171) and polydextrose. The tablets come in a pack containing 7 or 30 tablets (packs containing 30 tablets are only available from your pharmacist).

What Do The Tablets Do?

The tablets contain the active ingredient cetirizine hydrochloride. Cetirizine belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines which help relieve the symptoms of some allergies and itchy skin rashes. The tablets are used to treat the allergic symptoms (runny or itchy nose with or without stuffiness) caused by hayfever and other allergies e.g. pet and house dust mite allergies.

The tablets can also be taken to relieve the rashes and itching of chronic urticaria (hives). Urticaria can occur as a persistent condition and is recognised by the formation of raised white or reddish lumps surrounded by red inflamed areas which itch or sting.

Many things in today's environment can trigger allergies in certain people. These include:
• Pollen
• Animals
• House dust mites
• Mould spores

Some things are not triggers themselves but can make the effect of allergies worse. These include:
• Pollution
• Poor air conditioning
• Central heating / hot weather

You can help reduce allergic reactions by avoiding contact with those triggers which you know cause you to react:
• If you suffer from hayfever, try to ensure low exposure to pollen when hayfever symptoms are expected. For example, keep windows closed, do not cut grass and stay indoors as much as possible.
• Try to avoid contact with animals if they normally cause you to have allergic symptoms.

How To Use

Check before you take these tablets:

Do not take these tablets if you:
• Are allergic to any of the ingredients listed above.

Take special care with this product if you have:
• Kidney problems.

Taking this medicine with food and drink.
• As with other antihistamines, it is advisable to avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol whilst taking these tablets.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
• These tablets are not recommended if you are pregnant.
• Do not take if you are breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines:
• Do not exceed the recommended dose.
• The tablets, at the recommended dose, do not cause drowsiness in the majority of people. However as with all antihistamines occasional cases of drowsiness have been reported. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.

Important information about some of the ingredients in the tablets:

• This medicine contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking.

Dose

For oral use.
Adults (including the elderly) and children aged 6 years and over: Take one tablet (10 mg) daily.

Children under 6 years: Not recommended.

If you have any kidney problems, you should only take half the recommended dose.

Do not take more than the recommended dose.
If symptoms persist consult your doctor.

If you take more tablets than you should:
If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of the tablets all together, or if you think a child has accidentally swallowed any of the tablets, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or your doctor immediately. Take these tablets with you so that the doctor can see what has been taken.
Overdose can cause drowsiness. In children, agitation may occur.

If you forget to take the tablets:
If you forget to take a tablet, take one as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time to take the next one. Never take two doses together. Take the remaining doses at the correct time.

Possible Side Effects

Most people taking these tablets find the cause them no problems. Occasionally some people may have:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Agitation
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Stomach or intestinal discomfort

These are all temporary, mild side effects of this medicine. Very rarely, these tablets may cause convulsions. If this happens to you, stop taking these tablets and tell your doctor. If you notice any side effects not mentioned in the leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

If you would like to find out more about any of these products please contact our customer care team who will be happy to answer any questions.