Identify the name of the medicine | Re-recognize "old friends" - Cetirizine and Flunarizine

Today's protagonists are two "old friends" with high usage and popularity among the people. Although they have similar names, their effects are different. So, how did they become "folk stars"? What special skills do they have? Please follow Yaowa to take a look.

Protagonist 1: Cetirizine

Cetirizine is a commonly used antiallergic drug, belonging to the same class of drugs as the commonly known chlorpheniramine (i.e. chlorpheniramine maleate). It is mainly used clinically for the symptomatic treatment of seasonal rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and itching and urticaria caused by allergies.

Cetirizine has a variety of oral dosage forms, among which tablets are commonly used for children over 6 years old and adults, and drops and syrups are also commonly used for children aged 2-6 years old because of the convenience of accurate dosage adjustment. Usually, cetirizine can be taken once before bedtime. Why is it emphasized to take it before bedtime? This is because it will have a certain inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. If taken during the day, it may affect normal work and study, while taking it at night can just take advantage of its inhibitory effect to make sleep better. Cetirizine is a second-generation antiallergic drug. Compared with the first-generation antiallergic drug chlorpheniramine, it has more significant efficacy and fewer adverse reactions. Only a few patients will have side effects such as headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and abdominal discomfort after taking it, which is relatively safe. But be careful not to take cetirizine after drinking, because alcohol will also inhibit the central nervous system, and when combined with the central inhibitory effect of cetirizine, it may cause danger.

Protagonist 2: Flunarizine

In daily life, many middle-aged and elderly people have experienced dizziness and headaches. Doctors may consider using it during diagnosis and treatment. It is mainly used in the treatment of migraine and vertigo. Flunarizine takes effect quickly after oral administration and can generally play a corresponding role in about two hours.

For patients under 65 years old, it is recommended to take 10 mg of flunarizine every night; for patients over 65 years old, 5 mg every night is enough. Have you noticed that this drug is also recommended to be taken at night. Is it for similar reasons as the cetirizine mentioned above? That's right! Common adverse reactions of flunarizine are drowsiness and fatigue. Many patients with headaches and dizziness will have poor sleep quality. Taking it at night can just use its side effects to improve sleep, while also improving headaches and dizziness. Similarly, flunarizine should also be avoided in combination with alcohol, hypnotics or sedatives to prevent the danger of excessive sedation. It should be noted that after the symptoms are controlled, flunarizine should be discontinued in time, and the longest use time should not exceed 6 months. Especially for the elderly, long-term use will cause many adverse reactions, the most common of which is extrapyramidal side effects, and patients will experience hand tremors, stiffness, etc. In addition, long-term use of flunarizine can easily induce depression, so patients with a history of depression, Parkinson's disease or other symptoms of extrapyramidal diseases are prohibited from taking it.

Cetirizine is an anti-allergic drug with high safety; flunarizine is an anti-vertigo and headache drug with many side effects and should not be taken for a long time. Both drugs are best taken before bedtime.