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How Does Zyrtec Treat Allergies?

  1. Uses and Side Effects

    • Zyrtec, or Cetirizine, is an antihistamine prescribed to alleviate allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny and stuffy nose, itchy throat and watery eyes. It may also be used to treat hives. Adults taking Zyrtec may experience drowsiness and dry mouth. Children taking Zyrtec may have stomach aches and difficulty sleeping.

    What is Histamine?

    • An antihistamine blocks the histamine chemical in the body from reacting to allergens. The body releases histamine when exposed to allergens and then the histamine attaches itself to cell receptors in the throat and nose. Once the histamine binds to the cell receptors, the cells begin to swell and excrete fluid. Consequently, the affected individual may experience congestion, sneezing and itching.

    How Histamine is Blocked

    • The antihistamine is able to suppress the effects of the histamine chemical by preventing the histamine from binding to cell receptors. Thus, the histamine will be unable to initiate adverse allergic reactions. Antihistamines need to be taken several hours before exposure to an allergen or they need to be taken regularly because once the histamine has attached to the cell receptors the antihistamine will not be able to alleviate the allergy symptoms.

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