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Consumer Medicine Information |
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RAZENE (Pharmacy Medicine)
Cetirizine hydrochloride 10mg - 30 TABLETS PER PACK
Please read this web page carefully before using RAZENE.
This page answers some common questions about RAZENE.
This page does not replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist, nor does it contain all the available information about this medicine.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Sometimes new risks are found even when a medicine has been used for many years.
If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Razene is a non-sedating antihistamine for fast allergy relief. Razene tablets are used for relief of symptoms associated with perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis (hayfever), such as sneezing, nasal discharge and itching, as well as itching and burning of the eyes. Razene tablets are also used for the relief of symptoms and signs of chronic urticaria (hives) and other allergic skin disorders. Razene tablets are fast acting, usually within 10-20 minutes after taking it, non-sedating and its effects last for 24 hours, so you only need to take it once a day.
Dosage:
Adults and Children over 12 years: Take ONE tablet ONCE daily as a single oral dose. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg daily depending on the severity of your condition.
Children aged 6 – 12 years: Take HALF-a-tablet (5mg) ONCE daily given as a single or divided dose.
Children aged 2 – 6 years: Take QUARTER-a-tablet (2.5mg) ONCE or TWICE daily.
For patients with kidney problems: HALF-a-tablet (5mg) daily.
Do NOT use Razene in children less than 2 years old.
What Razene is used for?
The most common form of allergy is hay fever. This is a seasonal disorder occurring during spring and summer and is caused mainly by airborne pollens. Typical symptoms include sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes. For some, these symptoms occur throughout the year, often caused by an allergy to house dust mites or animal fur.
In addition to inhaled allergies there are those caused by eating certain foods, or through contact with certain medicines or chemicals. With these, symptoms appear mainly as skin rashes.
All the symptoms described are due to what is called an allergic reaction between the allergens (pollen, dust, etc) and certain cells in the body. This reaction triggers the release of a number of chemical substances, which irritate the body. One of these chemical substances is histamine. It is best to avoid exposure to the allergens that affect you; however, this is not always possible.
There are a number of medicines available for treating allergies, the most common of these are called antihistamines – because they counteract the effects of histamine. Antihistamines may also be used to treat allergic conjunctivitis and insect bites. One such antihistamine that treats allergies is Razene.
Razene is an anti-allergic used to treat hayfever and other allergic conditions. It is fast acting, usually within 10-20 minutes after taking it, non-sedating and its effects last for 24 hours, so you only need to take it once a day.
Your doctor or pharmacist, however, may prescribe Razene for another purpose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why Razene has been prescribed for you.
Before you take Razene:
When you must not use it:
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Do not take Razene if you are allergic to Cetirizine hydrochloride or Hydroxyzine (another antihistamine related to Cetirizine hydrochloride) or any of the tablet ingredients listed at the end of this web page.
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If you think you are having an allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction to Razene, TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY or go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital.
Symptoms usually include some or all of the following:
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Do not use Razene if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless you and your doctor or pharmacists have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
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Do not use Razene in children less than 2 years old.
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Do not use Razene if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
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Do not use Razene after the expiry date printed on the pack.
You must tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
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You are allergic to any other medicines, especially other antihistamines, or any foods, dyes or preservatives.
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You have epilepsy (fits/seizures/convulsions), kidney problems or any other medical conditions.
Use with other medicines:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Ability to drive or operate machinery:
Make sure you know how you react to Razene before you drive a car or operate machinery. Razene is unlikely to make you drowsy. If you are drowsy, do not drive a car or work with machinery.
If you forget to take it:
If you miss a dose and remember in less than 12 hours, take it straight away then continue as normal. Otherwise, skip that day's dose but be sure to take the next dose when it is due. Do not try to make up for missed doses by taking more than one dose at a time.
While you are using Razene:
Things to be careful of:
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Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Razene.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you become pregnant while you are taking Razene.
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Do not give Razene to anyone else, even if his or her symptoms seem similar to yours.
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Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist says so.
Stop taking Razene 48 hours before you have any skin tests as antihistamines may interfere with the results of skin tests.
Side effects:
Razene helps most people with hayfever and allergy symptoms, but occasionally some side effects may occur, such as feeling drowsy, dry mouth or fatigue. These are usually mild and tend to wear off as treatment occurs.
Drowsiness occurs rarely, but if you feel drowsy after taking Razene, be cautious about driving or using machinery for 8 hours. In such cases it is best to take your Razene before you go to bed at night, or try half a tablet.
If you have any concerns, tell your doctor or pharmacist and follow their advice.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor, pharmacist or in New Zealandcall the National Poisons Information Centre (Telephone: 03 474 7000) for advice, or go to casualty at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Razene. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
Storage Conditions:
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Keep Razene where young children cannot reach it.
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Store below 25°C.
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Do not leave it in the car on hot days.
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Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take your tablets out of the blister pack they will not keep well.
Product Description:
Your medicine is in the form of a tablet. Each tablet contains 10mg of the active ingredient Cetirizine. The tablets are white, capsule shaped, film coated tablets marked “CZ” breakline “10” on one side and “G” on the reverse.
Each tablet also contains lactose, pregelatinised maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate, talc, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, titanium dioxide and polyethylene glycol.
Razene does not contain sucrose or gluten.
Where to go for further information
Should you have any questions regarding this product, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click here to buy Generic Cetirizine (Razene) online now
Distributed in New Zealandby:
Pacific Pharmaceuticals Ltd,
PO Box 11183,
Ellerslie,
Auckland, New Zealand. |