Drug Issue: Levocetirizine and Cetirizine

Levocetirizine and cetirizine are generally prescription medications, categorized as piperazine derivatives. Both are employed as systemic antihistamines for allergic rhinitis (sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose) and chronic urticaria (skin allergy). As a Third Generation Antihistamine, levocetirizine is actually an enantiomer of cetirizine, a Second Generation Antihistamine.

Both levocetirizine and cetirizine has less CNS penetration unlike the FGA.  With this, both drugs have minimal sedating effect.

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Levocetirizine can be available in 5mg tablet and in 5mg/5ml drops. It is given once a day. A 5mg tablet can be taken by an adult and children from 6 years old and above. Children from 1 to 6 years old are given half the dose (2.5mg) while infants from 6 months to 1 year old are given 1.25mg once a day.

Cetirizine on the other hand, is available in 10mg tablet, 5mg/ 5ml syrup and 2.5mg/ml drops. A 10mg cetirizine can be taken by adults and children from six years old. It is usually taken once a day. However, its dose can be divided into two - usually given in the morning then in the evening. Children from 2 to 6 years old are given half the dose of a 10mg cetirizine and infants from 6 months to 1 year old are given 2.5mg.

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Wednesday Thought: Love Sonnets

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Written by yours truly, these three sonnets are really imperfect sonnets, trying to at least resemble, the Shakespearean sonnet pattern, a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g.

Sonnets 016, 012 and 035 are imperfect sonnets with a description of a perfect love written in three different ways.

             Read more of my poems here

Kalabasa Healthy Recipes

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If you like kalabasa or squash, you are going to love the recipes below. These dishes are actually shared by a good friend of mine - Ms. Che-Che Escudero. God bless her for these really delicious and nutritious kalabasa recipes. Enjoy!

• Kamo-Kala Con Tuna Fritters, Easy-To-Do Munchies

• Eat Healthy: Calabaza and Malunggay in Creamy Sauce Pasta

• Healty Dessert: Calabaza and Mango Crepe

Friday Question: Amoebiasis

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Is Amoebiasis a Water-Borne Infection?

Related articles:

1. Amoebiasis: Water Borne Infection?

2. Diloxanide for Amoebiasis

3. Furazolidone Recommendation for Diarrhea

 

 

Some Facts About a Suppository

A suppository is a drug dosage form, usually inserted in the rectum or anus and in other cases, into the urethra and vagina. This dosage form has faster effect than syrup, capsule or tablet. In addition, a suppository is administered if the patient has a vomiting tendency and if the patient can't tolerate drugs that can cause stomach pain or ulceration.

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Most people are usually accustomed to suppositories used for constipation like glycerin suppositories. However, this form of medicine has many types. Eucalyptol suppository is an example. This is indicated for respiratory ailment. Another one is paracetamol or acetaminophen which is for fever.

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Wednesday Thought: Coming Home

Let loved ones be an inspiration.

Image by the author

Read my poem here