Alatrol 10 mg Tablet

Alatrol 10 mg tablet is manufactured and marketed by Square Pharmaceuticals PLC, Gazipur in Bangladesh. It contains Cetirizine Dihydrochloride, one of the most commonly used antihistamines in the country for sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and skin allergies such as hives. As a second-generation antihistamine it causes far less drowsiness than older medicines, though mild sleepiness is still possible in some people, so many prefer taking it at night.

Cetirizine works by blocking histamine H1 receptors. During an allergic reaction, the body releases histamine, the chemical that produces sneezing, itching, watery discharge and raised, itchy skin wheals. By preventing histamine from binding to its receptors, cetirizine calms these symptoms — usually starting within 20 to 60 minutes and lasting about 24 hours per dose.

Alatrol is used for:

• Allergic rhinitis — seasonal and perennial: sneezing, runny or blocked itchy nose
• Allergic conjunctivitis — itchy, watery, red eyes
• Urticaria (hives) — acute and chronic itchy wheals
• Itching from insect bites, prickly heat and other allergic skin irritation, as a doctor advises
• Allergy symptoms during dust and pollen seasons, and house-dust-mite allergy
• Often combined with other treatments for cold-related runny nose when allergy plays a part

It relieves symptoms; recurring allergy needs trigger identification and a doctor's care.

Usual doses of Alatrol:

• Adults and children over 12: 10 mg once daily — many take it at night because of possible mild drowsiness
• Children 6–12 years: 10 mg once daily or 5 mg twice daily, per the doctor
• Children 2–6 years: 5 mg daily (often 2.5 mg twice daily) as syrup or drops — only as a doctor directs

It may be taken with or without food. People with kidney or liver impairment usually need a reduced dose, such as 5 mg daily. Follow your doctor's advice on dose and duration, especially for young children and long-term use.

Alatrol is well tolerated by most people. Possible side effects:

• Mild drowsiness or tiredness — the most noticeable one; affects roughly one in ten users
• Headache or dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Nausea or mild stomach discomfort
• Restlessness or irritability in some children

Rare effects include palpitations, difficulty passing urine, allergic rash and — after long continuous use — intense itching for a while if the medicine is stopped suddenly. Serious reactions are very rare; seek urgent help for facial swelling or breathing difficulty.

Precautions with Alatrol:

• See how it affects you before driving or operating machinery — mild drowsiness is possible, especially with the first few doses
• Avoid alcohol — it increases any sleepiness
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease — the dose usually needs lowering
• Use with caution in epilepsy and in elderly patients prone to confusion
• Caution if you have urinary retention or prostate problems
• After months of continuous daily use, do not stop suddenly — tapering reduces rebound itching
• Stop it 3 days before allergy skin tests, as it can mask the results

Alatrol has few significant drug interactions, but keep these in mind:

• Alcohol — increases drowsiness and impairs alertness; avoid while on this medicine
• Sedatives and sleeping pills (benzodiazepines, zolpidem) — additive sleepiness
• Other sedating antihistamines (chlorpheniramine, promethazine) — do not double up; excess sedation without extra benefit
• Theophylline — may slightly reduce cetirizine clearance
• Ritonavir — can raise cetirizine levels

Unlike fexofenadine, cetirizine is not significantly affected by fruit juice or antacids. Still, tell your doctor everything you take, including cough syrups that may already contain an antihistamine.

Do not take Alatrol if you have:

• Known allergy to cetirizine, levocetirizine, hydroxyzine or any ingredient of the product
• End-stage kidney disease (severe renal failure on dialysis) — unless a specialist specifically advises

Use only with a doctor's guidance in significant kidney or liver impairment, epilepsy, pregnancy and in children under 2 years. Galactose-intolerant patients should note that tablets may contain lactose.

Pregnancy: Available data on cetirizine in pregnancy are reassuring, and doctors often consider it one of the acceptable antihistamines when treatment is clearly needed. Even so, take it in pregnancy only on your doctor's advice, at the lowest effective dose.

Breastfeeding: Cetirizine passes into breast milk in small amounts and may occasionally make the baby drowsy or irritable, or slightly reduce milk supply with prolonged high doses. Occasional low doses are generally regarded as compatible with breastfeeding — confirm with your doctor and watch the baby for unusual sleepiness.

Store Alatrol below 30°C in a cool, dry place, protected from light and moisture. Keep tablets in the original blister pack until use; keep syrup and drops tightly closed and use within the period stated on the label after opening. Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use after the expiry date printed on the pack.