Zyrtec-D Approved Without Prescription

Zyrtec-D Approved Without Prescription
FRIDAY, Nov. 9 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and DrugAdministration approved on Friday the allergy drug Zyrtec-D fornon-prescription use in people 12 and older. It combines theantihistamine Zyrtec with a nasal decongestant.
Zyrtec-D (cetirizine hydrochloride/pseudoephedrine) has been sold as aprescription drug since 2001. Sold by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, it'sprescribed for relief of allergy symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing,itchy eyes and nose, and nasal congestion.
Zyrtec-D also is used for reducing swelling of nasal passages, forrelief of sinus congestion and pressure, and for restoring freer breathingthrough the nose.
Hay fever and other allergies are the sixth-leading cause of chronicdisease, with about 50 million sufferers each year in the United States,according to the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and InfectiousDiseases.
"The approval of this widely used drug for nonprescription use willenable many people to have access to another effective treatment for theirallergy symptoms," Dr. Andrea Leonard-Segal, director of the FDA'sDivision of Nonprescription Clinical Evaluation, said in a preparedstatement.
Common side effects of Zyrtec-D include drowsiness and dry mouth, theFDA said.
Because the drug contains pseudoephedrine, it is subject to salesrestrictions imposed by the federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act,passed in 2005. These restrictions include limiting the amount that aperson can buy, and tracking requirements imposed on stores distributingthe product, the FDA said.
More information
The FDA has more about this drug's history.