Brief information about the medicine
Zodak is an antihistamine that has an antiallergic effect. The product eliminates skin itching, stops the development of allergic reactions, relieves tissue swelling and smooth muscle spasm.
The main active ingredient in the composition is cetirizine dihydrochloride.
The drug has an effect on the body within the first 20 minutes after taking the drug and retains the effect for 24 hours.
This second-generation drug blocks H-1 histamine receptors, stopping the allergic reaction. The maximum effect can be achieved when taken at an early stage of contact with the source of the allergen. Zodak is also effective in the late cellular phase.
Zodak is not metabolized in the liver and is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, while providing a long-lasting and pronounced effect. Does not have a sedative effect and is not addictive.
Indications for use of Zodak are as follows:
It has three forms of release: syrup, drops and tablets.
The convenience of the drug is that it can be taken once a day. You can also drink Zodak in the form of syrup and drops 2 times a day, dividing the dosage into 2 doses.
Zodak instructions for use
The drug is prescribed orally, regardless of food intake. Zodak is available in two dosage forms - tablets and drops. The choice of which form to take the drug depends on the age of the patient. Children from 6 months to 2 years of age are not prescribed tablets; for them, the preferred form is drops, which must be dissolved in water before taking. Adults are prescribed both tablets and drops for allergies. Film-coated tablets should be swallowed whole with a small amount of water.
Adults and children over 12 years of age: 1 tablet or 20 drops (10 mg cetirizine). Children from 6 to 12 years old: 1 tablet or 20 drops (10 mg of cetirizine) once a day or 10 drops (5 mg of cetirizine) 2 times a day, morning and evening.
Children from 2 to 6 years: 1/2 tablet or 10 drops (5 mg of cetirizine) 1 time per day or 5 drops (2.5 mg of cetirizine) 2 times per day, morning and evening.
Children from 1 to 2 years: 5 drops (2.5 mg of cetirizine) 2 times a day.
If the patient has a history of renal failure, then the dose is reduced depending on creatinine clearance (CC): with creatinine clearance 30-49 ml/min – 5 mg once a day; at 10-29 ml/min – 5 mg every other day.
If you miss a tablet or drops, the next dose should be taken as soon as possible. If the time for the next dose is approaching, the dose should be taken as scheduled, without increasing the total amount of the drug taken.
Zodak - instructions for use in video format
Pregnancy and lactation
The drug is prohibited during pregnancy and lactation
Zodak is forbidden to be taken by women who are preparing to become a mother, as well as throughout the entire period of lactation, since the main active ingredient enters the child’s body with milk. And this can negatively affect the development of the baby’s psyche.
Zodak for children
Before giving Zodak to a child, you should consult your doctor.
The use of Zodak for children is limited only by the age of young patients and the dosage form of the drug itself. It is important to remember that you cannot prescribe anything for yourself or your child. It is necessary to consult with a pediatrician, follow the regimen and dosage indicated by him and described in the instructions. In children, Zodak effectively copes with severe allergy symptoms. As for the dosage form, tablets can be used for children over 6 years of age, drops are used for babies from 6 months under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Interaction of Zodak with other medications
Combining Zodak with alcohol is not recommended
Since Zodak is a medicinal product, its combination with other medications should be regulated by a doctor and the instructions for use. Therefore, you need to talk with your doctor about possible combinations. So, if the patient takes medications containing theophylline (bronchodilators), then the frequency of side effects may increase. The simultaneous use of Zodak and drugs that affect and depress the central nervous system is not recommended. The same applies to alcohol. It is better not to drink alcoholic beverages during treatment with Zodak.
Possible side effects
As a rule, the drug is well tolerated by patients. However, in some cases, adverse reactions may occur such as:
- headache, migraine and dizziness;
- drowsiness and fatigue;
- nausea;
- acute abdominal pain;
- diarrhea;
- dry mouth;
- allergic reactions: itching, skin rash, urticaria, angioedema.
All side effects are temporary. After discontinuation of the drug, they disappear on their own.
Zodak drug overdose, symptoms and treatment
Symptoms that occur with a significant overdose of cetirizine are associated primarily with effects on the central nervous system or with manifestations of an anticholinergic effect. Negative symptoms reported after five times the dose: agitation, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, dilated pupils, itching, nervousness, sedation, drowsiness, stupor, tachycardia, tremor and urinary retention. Treatment: There is no specific antidote for cetirizine. In case of overdose, symptomatic and supportive therapy is recommended, it is necessary to rinse the stomach as quickly as possible. Hemodialysis is ineffective due to the high degree of binding of the drug to plasma proteins.
Consequences of taking the drug and alcohol together
According to the annotation for the drug, Zodak is contraindicated for use with alcohol.
Since cetirizine, in combination with alcoholic beverages, has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. When they are combined, depending on the individual characteristics of the body, manifestations of drowsiness, lethargy and disturbances in the reaction of motor movements of the body are possible. In addition, symptoms of intoxication may be observed: elevated body temperature, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, headaches, vomiting, fainting and limb cramps. In addition, clinical trials have proven that ethyl alcohol blocks the work of the drug, so there will be no healing effect from using the drug, and allergic reactions only intensify. If the amount of alcohol in the blood is no more than 0.5 g/l, then in combination with alcoholic beverages, minimal harm to health will be caused.
In case of urgent need, Zodak can be taken without threat to health 1 day before drinking alcohol and 20 hours after - for men. And for women 2 days before drinking alcohol and 24 hours after. If you have completed a whole course of treatment with an antihistamine, then drinking drinks containing alcohol is allowed after 3-5 days, and in exceptional cases after a month. In such a situation, only the attending physician can give the correct recommendations.
Is it possible to combine Zodak and alcohol?
Zodak is a second generation antiallergic drug, the main active ingredient of which is cetirizine. According to the mechanism of action, it belongs to H1-blockers of histamine receptors, reducing the production of the inflammatory mediator - histamine. Has an antipruritic effect.
It can be used to treat allergies both in early childhood (release form - drops) and in adults (tablet form is the most acceptable).
It is used for short-term treatment of allergic reactions, as well as as a prophylactic for long-term use. Continuous use can last for a year or even more, so the issue of compatibility with alcohol is very relevant.
Description of the dosage form and its types
Pharmacy chains offer two types of allergy pills: Zodak and Zodak Express.
The main active ingredient in Zodak tablets is cetirizine dihydrochloride at a concentration of 10 mg. They are white in color, oval in shape and have a groove to allow them to be divided into two parts, covered with a film shell. Auxiliary components include lactose monohydrate, corn starch, povidone, magnesium stearate. Sold in cardboard boxes of 10 or 30 pieces, complete with annotation.
In the tablet form of Zodak Express, the main chemical compound is levocetirizine in an amount of 5 mg, which is a type of cetirizine, but with a greater therapeutic effect. Additionally, the medicine contains lactose monohydrate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl starch.
The tablets have an elongated shape and a film shell, biconvex, white. Sold in packs of 7 or 28 pieces.
Both drugs are produced in the Czech Republic.
Why Zodak and alcohol are incompatible
The main active ingredient of the drug is cetirizine. It belongs to the second generation antihistamines. This group of substances is highly effective, the body does not become accustomed to the drug, and there are few side effects. However, there is still a risk of undesirable consequences of taking it. Clinical side effects include:
- slight drowsiness;
- dyspepsia, dry mouth;
- allergic reaction;
- negative impact on the functioning of the genitourinary system, in particular the kidneys;
- toxic effect on the liver.
All these symptoms appear rarely and in a mild degree of severity, which usually does not cause discomfort to the patient. Ethanol, having a toxic effect on the liver and kidneys, aggravates the side effects of the drug, which provokes a worsening of the condition.
special instructions
Shelf life – 36 months from the date of release. The drug in any form should be kept in a dark place, away from children, at room temperature.
Elderly people, as well as people with liver and kidney diseases, should take it with caution. For elderly patients, the treatment regimen should be determined individually.
Do not take the drug in parallel with alcoholic drinks, as well as with medications that have a depressing effect on the nervous system.
After taking it, it is better to stop driving a car and operating other dangerous mechanisms for a while.
Since the drops contain no sugar, they can be taken by patients with diabetes.
If a person is also taking other medications for allergies, then the possibility of interaction must be taken into account.
Consequences of co-administration
As a result of simultaneous use of the drug and alcohol, the following side effects may occur:
- redness on the skin and skin rashes;
- arterial hypertension in combination with tachycardia;
- dyspeptic symptoms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- headache;
- disturbance of consciousness: lethargy, fainting, coma, development of convulsive syndrome;
- acute abdominal pain due to the development of erosive gastritis or peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
Studies have shown that the interaction of alcoholic beverages and Zodak significantly reduces the effect of the drug on histamine receptors. This is fraught with re-development of the allergic reaction and increasing the severity of its course.
When can you drink alcohol?
To determine when you can drink alcohol during treatment with Zodak, it is necessary to study its pharmacodynamics. The manufacturer indicates in the instructions that the drug begins to act after 20 minutes of use and continues for another 24 hours.
When taking the drug for more than 10 days, its accumulation in the body is noted, so its effect continues for another three days after the end of its use.
Based on this, the following conclusions can be drawn:
- Alcohol in the amount of 1-2 doses (the prescribed volume will be different for each drink) can be consumed no later than 12 hours before taking the medicine.
- Alcoholic drinks in quantities greater than 2 doses should be taken no later than 24 hours before using the drug.
- Combining medicine and alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.
- After taking Zodak for a calendar duration of less than 10 days in a row, you can drink alcohol 24 hours after the last dose of the drug.
- When using the medicine for more than 10 days, drinking alcohol is allowed only three days after the last use.
How to use the medicine
Zodak Express tablets are taken without regard to diet, swallowed whole, washed down with still water.
Both adult patients and children are prescribed one tablet (5 mg), the effect of which begins after 20 minutes and lasts for 24 hours.
The dose is subject to adjustment in elderly patients with severe kidney pathologies.
The duration of therapy depends on the cause of the allergy and the severity of the condition. For allergic rhinitis, the tablets can be stopped when the symptoms pass, and if the symptoms recur, they can be taken again. Allergic rhinitis in chronic form is treated for a long time during the period of allergen activity. The maximum duration of treatment with 5 mg tablets is six months.
Adults take Zodak tablets in a similar way: 1 piece (10 mg) per day. For the treatment of allergies in the elderly, the dose is prescribed by the doctor.
Active substance and release form
The main active ingredient of the drug is cetirizine dihydrochloride. It is he who negatively affects the body's reactions caused by external stimuli. Upon contact with an allergen, histamine begins to be produced, which causes unpleasant signs of allergy (itching, sneezing, tearing, etc.)
Zodak suppresses the production of histamine by blocking nerve endings. The medicine is most effective at the initial stage of contact with the allergen.
Also, this pharmacological agent can reduce capillary permeability, and this prevents the occurrence of bronchospasms. Experts recommend taking the product in advance, before contact with an external irritant occurs.
Today, the medicine can be seen in three dosage forms: syrup, tablets and drops. Syrup and drops are great for small children, while tablets are great for adults.
The medication is not addictive. It also does not have a sedative effect.
When is it used?
The main indications for taking the drug are:
- allergic rhinitis of seasonal and year-round nature;
- dermatitis and dermatoses caused by allergies;
- hives;
- hay fever (hay fever);
- Quincke's edema.
The action begins a quarter of an hour after ingestion, and the effectiveness lasts for about 24 hours.
Reviews from patients indicate that the medication is indeed quite effective, especially during the spring flowering period, when many experience allergies.
Indications for use
The drug is prescribed to relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis (present all year round or occurring seasonally) and allergic inflammation of the conjunctiva. These include:
- itching and sneezing;
- nasal congestion;
- copious discharge of liquid mucus from the nose;
- eye irritation and watery eyes;
- redness of the mucous membrane of the eye;
Zodak has proven itself in the treatment of urticaria, hay fever, allergic itchy dermatoses with rashes, and as an adjuvant for angioedema.
Adverse reaction after simultaneous use
During simultaneous use of the drug and ethyl alcohol, a disulfiram-like reaction may occur. The components of the product react with ethanol molecules and cause intoxication. It may manifest itself with the following symptoms:
- vomiting and nausea;
- skin redness;
- increased body temperature;
- high blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- hard breath;
- headache;
- limb spasms;
- acute pain in the stomach;
- swelling;
- fainting state.
Also, in some cases, ethyl alcohol inhibits the work of the medicine, as a result of which free histamines continue to be produced and intensify the signs of the disease.
To avoid the development of possible negative consequences, you should completely stop drinking alcohol while taking the drug.
In medical practice, cases have been recorded in which patients with a disease such as alcoholism fell into a coma after taking antihistamines and large amounts of ethyl alcohol.
What to do if there is a violation?
In cases where alcohol was consumed during treatment, you must:
- Stop drinking alcohol.
- Over the next 4 hours, drink as much water as possible.
- Carefully read the contraindications in the instructions for use of the medicine and follow them.
- If this happens only once and the dose of alcohol consumed is small, the harm caused to health will be minimal.
- If your health suddenly worsens, you should seek help from a doctor as soon as possible.
Remember, no matter what dosage form the drug was taken in, its combination with alcohol can cause negative consequences.
How soon can you drink alcohol?
Drinking alcohol-containing drinks is allowed in a minimal amount one day after the drug has been taken.
If the doctor prescribed a course of treatment or the drug was used by the patient for several days (weeks) in a row, then drinking alcoholic beverages is allowed after at least three days, in some cases after a month. This is due to the fact that drug substances are able to accumulate in the tissues of the body for a certain time and, if ethyl alcohol enters, they will react with its molecules. Such compatibility can lead to deterioration in well-being.
