Piriteze Allergy Tablets contains the active ingredient cetirizine hydrochloride.

Cetirizine belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines which help to relieve the symptoms of some allergies and itchy skin rashes.

Piriteze one a day allergy tablets are used to relieve the allergic symptoms (runny and itchy nose with or without stuffiness) caused by hayfever and other allergies e.g. pet, house dust mite or mould spore allergies.

The tables can also be taken to relieve the rash 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.

How to take Piriteze allergy tablets:
For oral use

Adults (including the elderly) and children 12 years and over: One tablet (10mg) daily

Children under 12 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 forget to take Piriteze allergy tablets 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.

Overdose: 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

Piriteze allergy tablets contain: Cetirizine hydrochloride 10mg as the active ingredient.

They also contain: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol, titanium dioxide (E171) and polydextrose.

Check before you take Piriteze allergy tablets

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

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.

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.

Possible side effects: Most people taking these tablets find they 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 are concerned about these effects, or if the tablets affect you in any other way, stop taking them and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Many things in today's environment can trigger allergies in certain people.

These include: Pollen - animals - house dust mite - mould spores.

Some things are not triggers themselves but can make the effects 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.