Consumer medicine information

Zodac Tablets


Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you take Zodac tablets.

This leaflet answers some common questions about Zodac. It does
not contain all available information, nor does it take the place
of talking to you doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed
the risks of you taking Zodac against the benefits this medicine is
expected to have for you.

You should ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions
about Zodac or if you have any trouble before, during or after taking
Zodac.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again later.

What Zodac is used for

Zodac tablets contain an antihistamine called cetirizine hydrochloride.
Antihistamines relieve the symptoms of hayfever (e.g. sneezing and
an itchy, runny, blocked-up nose) and other similar allergic conditions.
They may also be used to treat some itchy skin rashes such as hives.

Your doctor may have prescribed Zodac for another reason. Ask
your doctor if you have any questions about why Zodac has been prescribed
for you or your child.

There is no evidence that Zodac is addictive.

Before Using Zodac

When you must not take Zodac

Do not take Zodac if you have an allergy to:

  • cetirizine hydrochloride or hydroxyzine (another
    antihistamine, related to cetirizine) or any of the ingredients listed
    at the end of this leaflet.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Zodac may include:

  • shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts
    of the body
  • rash, itching or hives on the skin.

If you are not sure if you have these allergies, you should
raise those concerns with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not take Zodac if:

  • The packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
  • The expiry date on the pack has passed.

If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed,
it may not work as well (or it may make you feel sick).

If you are not sure whether you should start taking Zodac, talk
to your doctor or pharmacist.

Before you start to take Zodac

You must tell your doctor or pharmacist if:

  • You have any allergies to any foods, dyes, preservatives
    or any other medicines.
  • If you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant

Like most medicines, Zodac is not recommended for use during
pregnancy. If there is a need to consider Zodac during your pregnancy,
your doctor or pharmacist will discuss with you the benefits and risks
of using it.

  • If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the possible risks
and benefits of using Zodac during beast-feeding.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had any medical
conditions, especially the following:

  • epilepsy (fits/seizures/convulsions)

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell
him/her before you take Zodac.

Taking other medicines

Before taking Zodac, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are
taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without
a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Taking Zodac

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist
carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this
leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your
doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

The usual dose for adults is one tablet daily. The tablet should
be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Some adults may require
only half a tablet per day (e.g. people with kidney problems). Some
adults may require the maximum dose of two tablets (20mg) per day.

The usual dose for children over six years of age is half of
one tablet swallowed with a glass of water.

Take Zodac tablets as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
Never change the dose yourself.

How to take Zodac

Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.

If you forget to take Zodac

If you forget to take a dose of Zodac, take one as soon as you
remember, but wait at least 12 hours before taking the next dose.
If you forget to give your child their dose, give it to them as soon
as you remember, but wait at least 6 hours before giving the next
dose.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you
missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side
effect.

If you are not sure what to do, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your
pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much Zodac (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information
Centre (telephone 13 11 26) or go to casualty at your nearest hospital,
if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Zodac.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You
may need urgent medical attention.

If you take too much Zodac, you may feel drowsy or dizzy, so
do not drive.

While you are using Zodac

Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you whether there
are any special instructions while you are taking Zodac.

Things you must do

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Zodac.

If you are about to start taking any new medicines, tell your
doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Zodac.

Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating
you that you are taking Zodac.

If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic,
tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Zodac.

Things you must not do

Do not give your Zodac tablets to anyone else, even if they
have the same condition as you.

Do not use Zodac to treat any other complaints unless your doctor
tells you to.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how
Zodac affects you. Zodac may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness
or drowsiness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to
Zodac before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else
that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or light-headed. If this
occurs do not drive.

Side Effects

Tell you doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do
not feel well while you are taking Zodac. Zodac helps many people,
but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.

Zodac helps most people with hayfever and allergy symptoms,
but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines
can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time
they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the
side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions
you may have. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of
the following and they worry you:

  • drowsiness/sleepiness
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • dry mouth
  • headache
  • stomach upset (e.g. nausea and vomiting)
  • restless or agitated feeling.

These side effects are usually mild and short-lived. Other side
effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Do not be alarmed
by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any
of them.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest
hospital if you notice any of the following:

  • swelling of the face, lips, mouth and tongue
  • severe persistent diarrhoea
  • an allergic reaction (e.g. itchy skin, rash, swelling).

These may be signs of a serious allergic reaction. Other side
effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.

Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making
you feel unwell.

After Using Zodac

Storage

Keep your Zodac tablets in the blister pack until it is time
to take them. If you take the tablets out of their packaging, they
may not keep well.

Keep Zodac in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below
25 deg C.

Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near
a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on windowsills. Heat and dampness
can destroy some medicines.

Keep your tablets where children cannot reach them. A locked
cupboard at least one-and-one-half meters above the ground is a good
place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking Zodac or the tablets
have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist or doctor what
to do with the any tablets that are leftover.

Product Description

What it looks like

Zodac 10 mg tablets are white to off white, capsule shaped,
film coated tablets with breakline and ‘B’ & ‘L’
embossed on either side of the breakline and ‘10’ embossed
on the other side.

They are available in blister packs of 10, 30 and 50 tablets.

Ingredients

Each Zodac tablets contain 10 mg of the active ingredient cetirizine
hydrochloride.

Each tablet also contains the inactive ingredients microcrystalline
cellulose, lactose, hypromellose, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium
stearate, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400 and Opadry Y-1-700.

Zodac does not contain gluten, sucrose, or any other azo dyes.

Sponsor

Genepharm Pty Ltd
3/10 Inglewood Place
Baulkham
Hills, NSW, 2153

ZODAC 10 mg tablets:
AUST R 129613

This leaflet was prepared on 18th October 2006.

Published by MIMS March 2009