Latest news with #Cetirizine
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Popular allergy medications linked to severe withdrawal symptoms, FDA warns
Two common allergy medications could cause a severe reaction in some people who stop using it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert related to cetirizine (Zyrtec) or levocetirizine (Xyzal), warning that patients who stop taking it after long-term use may experience "rare but severe itching," a condition called pruritus. The itching was reported by people who used the medicines every day for months or years, and then stopped using them. Top 10 'Allergy Capitals' Of The Us, Plus 4 Tips To Manage Symptoms In total, 209 cases were reported worldwide (197 in the U.S.) between April 25, 2017, and July 6, 2023. "This number includes only reports submitted to FDA, so there may be additional cases of which we are unaware," the agency stated in the release. Read On The Fox News App "Reported cases were rare but sometimes serious, with patients experiencing widespread, severe itching that required medical intervention." Many reports described a "significant and persistent impact on quality of life and ability to function," the FDA noted. Honey And Allergy Relief: Do These Two Really Go Together? In most cases (90%), restarting the medicine resolved the severe itching. Some (38%) had success with gradually tapering off after restarting. The drugs are available in both prescription and over-the-counter versions. The FDA said it will update the medications' prescribing information to include a warning of the itching risk, and will also ask the manufacturers to add the information to the drug facts label for over-the-counter versions. Cetirizine and levocetirizine are antihistamines that are approved to treat seasonal allergies in adults and children 2 and up, according to the FDA. The drugs are also approved as a treatment for year-round allergies and chronic hives in patients 6 months and older. People who experience severe itching after the cessation of these medications should contact a healthcare professional, the FDA advised. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "Individuals planning on long-term use of cetirizine or levocetirizine, especially for more than a few months, should discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare professional, who can provide advice based on your personal needs," the agency stated. Other common side effects of cetirizine and levocetirizine include fatigue, drowsiness, cough, dry mouth, fever, sore throat, nosebleed, diarrhea and vomiting, per the FDA. Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, noted that these medications are "very effective" at alleviating allergy symptoms. "The FDA is noting that in extremely rare circumstances after long-term use, stopping them can lead to severe itching, which is alleviated after restarting them," he reiterated to Fox News Digital. "I suspect this might be due to accelerated histamine release once the blocker is stopped." A spokesperson from the Consumer Healthcare Products Association provided the below statement to Fox News Digital. "Consumer safety is the top priority for CHPA and our manufacturer members. The OTC industry supports FDA's ongoing commitment to notifying the public about safety signals, even when extremely rare, as in this case." Rare Mint Allergy Leaves Woman Wishing She Was 'Allergic To Peanuts' Instead "CHPA members will continue to comply with FDA guidelines, including any needed updates to Drug Facts labels, while also evaluating and monitoring the latest science and product profiles. Consumers who use these medicines daily for an extended period (months-years) should not stop taking their medication abruptly without first consulting with their healthcare provider." For more Health articles, visit Opella, the manufacturer of Xyzal, shared the below statement with Fox News Digital. "Xyzal has a strong track record of safety and efficacy backed by scientific research and user satisfaction. This is a rare reaction, and Opella stands by the safety of Xyzal when used as directed."Original article source: Popular allergy medications linked to severe withdrawal symptoms, FDA warns
The Hill
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Hill
FDA warns of ‘rare but severe itching' after using popular allergy medications
(NEXSTAR) – Hundreds of people who stopped using allergy medications like Zyrtec and Xyzal noticed an uncomfortable new side effect, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a warning issued this month. In 'rare but severe' cases, and for unknown reasons, some who quit using the drugs became very itchy and had to seek medical help. 'Reported cases were rare but sometimes serious, with patients experiencing widespread, severe itching that required medical intervention,' the FDA said. The itching, known medically as pruritus, was so bad that affected people described 'significant and persistent impact on quality of life and ability to function.' The FDA identified about 200 cases of this severe itching between 2017 and 2023. In most cases, the people affected had been using cetirizine or levocetirizine daily for three months or more, and only noticed the itching start after they stopped taking the allergy pills. Cetirizine is sold over the counter under several brand names, including Zyrtec, Aller-Tec and All Day Allergy. Xyzal is a popular brand name of levocetirizine. Both ingredients are antihistamines, and may also be in prescribed medications. Most people were able to resolve the itchiness by restarting the medication. Some were able to restart the drug then taper off more slowly. The FDA is now revising the medications' prescribing information to include a warning about the possibility of itching. The vast majority of people who take the drugs likely won't experience pruritus. While the FDA was able to identify more than 200 cases worldwide, tens of millions of packages of the two medications are sold over the counter every year.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
FDA Issues Warning About Popular Allergy Medications
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that patients who stop long-term use of the popular oral allergy medications Zyrtec or Xyzal may experience "rare but severe itching," in a May 16 warning. Newsweek reached out to Zyrtec and Xyzal's media teams via email for comment. Why It Matters In recent months, millions of Americans have grappled with seasonal allergies triggered by pollen and blooming plants. Many have reported sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses, prompting a turn to prescription and over-the-counter allergy medications. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in three U.S. adults and more than one in four U.S. children report having a seasonal allergy, eczema or food allergy. The data showed that more than 100 million Americans reported having allergy symptoms. In 2021, approximately 81 million people in the U.S. had hay fever. In its warning, the FDA said that more than 80 million packages of the popular allergy medications were purchased in 2022. What To Know The FDA said that itching, known as pruritus, "has been reported in patients who used these medicines daily, typically for at least a few months and often for years." The patients did not have any itching symptoms prior to taking the allergy medications. The itching required medical intervention. The FDA said the symptoms "may improve with restarting the medicines." The agency is revising the prescribing information for the prescription versions of cetirizine (Zyrtec) and levocetirizine (Xyzal) to include a new warning about the risk. Cetirizine and levocetirizine are antihistamines that block histamines released by the body during allergic reactions. Both are approved to treat seasonal allergies. Cetirizine was approved as a prescription drug in 1995 and became available over the counter in 2007. Levocetirizine was approved for prescription use in 2007 and switched to over-the-counter status in 2017. The FDA's warning is based on 209 worldwide cases, 197 in the U.S., of pruritus after halting use of the drugs. The cases were reported to the FDA between April 25, 2017, and July 6, 2023. A man blows his nose behind birch pollen on the branch of a birch tree in Baden-W'rttemberg, Stuttgart, Germany, on April 3, 2025. A man blows his nose behind birch pollen on the branch of a birch tree in Baden-W'rttemberg, Stuttgart, Germany, on April 3, 2025. Bernd Wei'brod/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images What People Are Saying A spokesperson for Opella, which owns Xyzal, told Newsweek: "Xyzal has a strong track record backed by scientific research and user satisfaction. We stand by the safety and efficacy of Xyzal when used as directed." The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, on X, formerly Twitter: "FDA requires warning about rare but severe itching after stopping long-term use of oral allergy medicines cetirizine or levocetirizine (Zyrtec, Xyzal, and other trade names)" Zyrtec, on X: "The allergens are potent this year and normally we're a cut above!" What Happens Next The FDA advises patients to contact their health care providers if they develop severe itching after stopping their antihistamine use. Tree pollen typically peaks in April, while grass pollen emerges in late spring and continues through the summer months, usually from May to July.
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Cheapest way to buy hayfever tablets – you could make a huge saving of £27 this summer
Scroll down to see how different tablets compare NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT Cheapest way to buy hayfever tablets – you could make a huge saving of £27 this summer THERE is a way to get the same allergy relief medication for almost a quarter of the price of big name brands. As hay fever becomes more rife moving into summer, this could mean a saving of £27 over the months of June, July and August. Advertisement 2 Piritize is a common brand of allergy relief medication found at UK pharmacies Credit: Alamy 2 Medicines meet the same standards regardless of the formulation Credit: Superdrug People generally know that buying branded medications are almost always more costly than their generic equivalents. On top of that, most over-the-counter drugs have the same medical properties no matter the brand, price or form it comes in. The Royal Pharmaceutical said: "Whether they are branded or generic, all medicines are the same so you can be reassured your medicine is safe." The key thing to look out for is the "active" ingredient of the remedy, which manufacturers may change. Advertisement So once you have found the right active ingredient, you can start looking for the best deal to purchase your medicine. For effective relief from allergy symptoms, people often turn to Cetirizine, which the NHS describes as an "antihistimine medicine that relieves the symptoms of allergies". It can be used to treat things like hay fever, conjunctivitis, and eczema, and comes in tablet, capsule or liquid form. Common stores like Boots, Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco sell Cetirizine both through brands as well as with their own equivalents of the medicine. Advertisement Among the more well-known brands of Cetirizine are Piriteze and Zirtek, which can cost £11.55 for a 30-pack of the tablets from a pharmacy like Boots. However, buying the generic Boots version of Cetirizine costs just £2.75, meaning a saving nearly £9. Woman missed her brother's wedding because of 'life-ruining' hay fever symptoms And over the three months of summer, this could bring a saving of £27. Similarly, the Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco medications can also provide savings of around £8 when bought instead of the branded equivalents. Advertisement In the past, PharmacyFirst has been seen to offer the cheapest deal for Cetirizine online, oferring 120 tablets all for £2.75. Chemist4U has also proven to be a cheap option, where 180 tablets have gone for £7.54. These cost-saving findings come after research revealed hay fever sufferers spent more than £3,600 on medication over their lifetime. A poll also found 62 per cent of people with these allergies go through up to two boxes of antihistamine tablets a month. Advertisement
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Cheapest way to buy hayfever tablets – you could make a huge saving of £27 this summer
THERE is a way to get the same allergy relief medication for almost a quarter of the price of big name brands. As hay fever becomes more rife moving into summer, this could mean a saving of £27 over the months of June, July and August. People generally know that buying branded medications are almost always more costly than their generic equivalents. On top of that, most over-the-counter drugs have the same medical properties no matter the brand, price or form it comes in. The Royal Pharmaceutical said: "Whether they are branded or generic, all medicines are the same so you can be reassured your medicine is safe." The key thing to look out for is the "active" ingredient of the remedy, which manufacturers may change. So once you have found the right active ingredient, you can start looking for the best deal to purchase your medicine. For effective relief from allergy symptoms, people often turn to Cetirizine, which the NHS describes as an "antihistimine medicine that relieves the symptoms of allergies". It can be used to treat things like hay fever, conjunctivitis, and eczema, and comes in tablet, capsule or liquid form. Common stores like Boots, Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco sell Cetirizine both through brands as well as with their own equivalents of the medicine. Among the more well-known brands of Cetirizine are Piriteze and Zirtek, which can cost £11.55 for a 30-pack of the tablets from a pharmacy like Boots. However, buying the generic Boots version of Cetirizine costs just £2.75, meaning a saving nearly £9. Woman missed her brother's wedding because of 'life-ruining' hay fever symptoms And over the three months of summer, this could bring a saving of £27. Similarly, the Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco medications can also provide savings of around £8 when bought instead of the branded equivalents. In the past, PharmacyFirst has been seen to offer the cheapest deal for Cetirizine online, oferring 120 tablets all for £2.75. Chemist4U has also proven to be a cheap option, where 180 tablets have gone for £7.54. These cost-saving findings come after research revealed hay fever sufferers spent more than £3,600 on medication over their lifetime. A poll also found 62 per cent of people with these allergies go through up to two boxes of antihistamine tablets a month. Hay fever first aid kit Analyse your symptoms and find the best medication kit for you... Antihistamines Antihistamines (cetirizine or loratadine) work by blocking histamine in the body, which is released when the body detects something it thinks is harmful. Histamine causes blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell, but in people with hay fever, also causes an allergic reaction. That's the watering eyes, blocked nose, rashes and so on. Max Wiseberg, airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax, says that many antihistamines are available on prescription, such as Telfast, which you can see your GP for or get through an online doctor, such as LloydsPharmacy. Telfast, and other prescription-only antihistamine tablets, work in the same way as over-the-counter antihistamines, but are stronger and intended to help with more severe symptoms. 'Get your prescription in advance of the season so you have your medication in time to start taking it at the right time,' he says. 'Some are best taken at least one month before the hay fever season starts." Nasal sprays A nasal spray can be effective in controlling congestion and stuffiness. Pharmacists can advise on nasal sprays (sodium cromoglicate, ipratropium bromide or decongestant), and eye drops, too. Nasal sprays can also help with other symptoms of hay fever 'because the medicine is targeted directly to the nose, which is where the vast majority of allergens enter the body', Max says. Independent pharmacist Rita Ghelani says: 'Try Xlear nasal spray, which contains xylitol, and has anti-bacterial properties and keeps the nasal lining moist. 'If symptoms are more severe, then try an anti-inflammatory nasal spray – sometimes referred to as a steroid nasal spray – which can take a few days to work. 'Start with one that contains beclomethasone, which is used twice a day, in the morning and at night.' Rita also advises cleaning the nose with a saline nasal spray before a steroid spray, saying: 'It will remove sticky mucus from the nasal passage, thus improving the effectiveness of the medication.' Eye drops If itchy eyes are your primary concern, Rita says: 'Try using sodium cromoglicate eye drops. "These make the eyes less sensitive to allergens such as pollen and reduce irritation. "They need to be used four times a day to keep the levels of the active ingredient high enough to be effective. "Keep using them even if symptoms improve. 'Using a good eye drop to lubricate the eyes may also help with dry eyes during the summer months.'
