Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine
About
Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine is a combination medication used to treat certain parasitic infections such as Bancroft's filariasis, Eosinophilic lung, Loiasis, and River blindness. Bancroft's filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is caused by thread-like worms that live inside the human lymphatic system. The lymphatic system of the body consists of fluid and is responsible for fighting infections. This disease spreads from person to person by mosquitoes and black flies.
Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine is a combination of two drugs: Cetirizine (antihistamine) and Diethylcarbamazine (anthelmintic). Cetirizine belongs to the class of antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs) that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps to provide relief from allergic symptoms. Diethylcarbamazine is an anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) that works by causing paralysis of the worms by reducing muscular activity.
Take Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience dizziness, headache, dry mouth, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, drowsiness, or tiredness. Most of these side effects of Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a doctor before using Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine. Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine is not recommended for children below 6 years of age. Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine should be used with caution if prescribed by a doctor. Regular eye check-ups are recommended while taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine as it may cause night blindness, tunnel vision, or loss of vision if used for a prolonged time. If you have fits, urinary retention, or serious kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine.
Uses of Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine
Medicinal Benefits
Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine is a combination of two drugs, namely: Cetirizine and Diethylcarbamazine used to treat certain parasitic infections such as Bancroft's filariasis, Eosinophilic lung, Loiasis, and River blindness. Cetirizine belongs to the class of antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs) that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps to provide relief from allergic symptoms. Diethylcarbamazine is an anthelmintic (antiparasitic) that works by causing paralysis of the worms by reducing their muscular activity.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a doctor before using Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine. Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine is not recommended for children below 6 years of age, and for children above 6 years, Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine should be used with caution if prescribed by a doctor. Regular eye check-ups are recommended while taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine as it may cause night blindness, tunnel vision or loss of vision if used for a prolonged time. Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid along with Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine for certain patients with river blindness, especially those having severe symptoms to reduce the inflammation caused by the death of the worms. It is important to take corticosteroids and Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine exactly as prescribed by a doctor. If you have fits, urinary retention or serious kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine may interact with anti-allergic drugs (diphenhydramine), antidepressants (duloxetine), and anticonvulsants (pregabalin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid intake of alcohol with Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine as it may cause increased drowsiness, dizziness, and lack of concentration.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have fits, urinary retention, or serious kidney problems inform your doctor before taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine as it may increase adverse effects. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult a doctor if you are pregnant as Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine is to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding as Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine may be excreted in human milk. It is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
cautionCetirizine+diethylcarbamazine may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine.
Liver
cautionTake Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Patients with severe kidney problems should avoid taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine.
Children
cautionCetirizine+diethylcarbamazine is not recommended for children below 6 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established. However, for children above 6 years, Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine should be used with caution if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients and has less refined sugars/processed foods.
- Fiber is important for bowel movement, which helps to cleanse parasites from the body so include more fiber-rich foods in the body like oats.
- Pumpkin seeds, garlic, honey, and papaya seeds are considered antiparasitic foods. So, it is best to include them in your diet.
- Sometimes doctors may recommend a grain-free, sugar-free diet while others may recommend limiting fruit intake to reduce further dietary sugars, so better talk to your nutritionist.
Special Advise
- If you are about to take an allergy skin test, inform your doctor that you are taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine as you may be advised to stop taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine for 3 days before the test.
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine to monitor blood count and liver functioning.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bancroft’s Filariasis: It is also known as elephantiasis and is caused by thread-like worms that live inside the human lymphatic system. The lymphatic system of the body consists of fluid and is responsible for fighting infections. This disease spreads from person to person by mosquitoes. Common symptoms include swelling in the legs, arms, breasts, or genitals. The legs are most commonly affected while skin may also be affected, causing dry, ulcerated, thick, pitted, or darker than normal skin.
Eosinophilic lung: This is a disease related to lung problems in which white blood cells in the body get increased. White blood cells are responsible for fighting allergic reactions and certain infections. Some of the symptoms of this disease include cough, chest pain, tightness, increased mucus, rapid breathing, bloody mucus, and shortness of breath.
Loiasis: It is also called 'African eye worm' which is an infectious parasitic disease transmitted to humans by the bite of Chrysops fly species. A person infected with this disease may face itchy, non-painful swellings in their body. Sometimes, a person may see worms crawling under their skin or across the surface of the eye.
River blindness: It is caused by a parasitic worm and is transmitted through repeated bites by black flies near rivers and streams. If not treated, then it may even cause visual impairment and sometimes blindness.
FAQs
Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine contains Cetirizine and Diethylcarbamazine used to treat certain parasitic infections such as Bancroft's filariasis, Eosinophilic lung, Loiasis, and River blindness. Cetirizine is an antihistamine (anti-allergic drug) that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps to provide relief from allergic symptoms. Diethylcarbamazine is an anthelmintic (antiparasitic) that works by causing paralysis of the worms by reducing their muscular activity.
No, Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine is not used to treat tapeworm or pinworm infections. However, please consult a doctor if you have tapeworm or pinworm infection so that appropriate medicine may be prescribed.
Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine may cause vision problems such as night blindness, tunnel vision or loss of vision if used for prolonged time. Therefore, regular eye check-ups are recommended while taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine.
Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine should be used with caution in patients suffering from fits as it may cause recurring fits. Therefore, please inform your doctor if you have or are at risk of having fits.
You are not recommended to take Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine with diphenhydramine (anti-allergic drug) as it may increase adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness and difficulty in concentrating. However, please consult a doctor before taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine with other medicines.
You are not recommended to stop taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the infection or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Cetirizine+diethylcarbamazine, please consult your doctor.
