Cetirizine
Cetirizine
Cetirizine (pronounced: se-ti-ri-zeen) is a type of antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, itching eyes/nose, sneezing, hives, and itching. It works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction.
Etymology
The term "Cetirizine" is derived from the parent drug hydroxyzine, and is a carboxylated metabolite of hydroxyzine. The prefix "Ceti-" is derived from the Greek word "kētos", meaning "whale" or "sea monster", and "-rizine" is a common suffix used for antihistamines.
Usage
Cetirizine is typically used for the treatment of allergies, hay fever, angioedema, and urticaria. It is also used to help relieve allergy symptoms and hives. It is available over-the-counter, and is typically taken once per day.
Related Terms
- Antihistamine: A type of medicine that blocks the effects of histamine, a substance in the body that is involved in allergic reactions.
- Hydroxyzine: A drug from which cetirizine is derived. It is used to treat itching caused by allergies and to control the nausea and vomiting caused by various conditions, including motion sickness.
- Hay Fever: An allergic disorder characterized by an exaggerated immune response to pollen grains and other substances.
- Angioedema: A condition characterized by swelling beneath the skin, typically occurring in the face and throat.
- Urticaria: Also known as hives, a kind of skin rash notable for pale red, raised, itchy bumps.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cetirizine
- Wikipedia's article - Cetirizine
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