Contrahist – indications, composition, dosage, opinions, price, substitutes

Proven content

Contrahist (levocetirizine dihydrochloride) is an antiallergic drug. This antihistamine significantly reduces the body’s response to the allergen that causes ailments, which helps to alleviate bothersome symptoms. It is mainly used for allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria. This also applies to hives of unknown origin.

What is Contrahist?

Contrahist is a second-generation antiallergic drug. It is available in two forms:

1. syrup, i.e. an oral solution with a concentration of 0,5 mg / ml of the active substance,
2. tablets containing 5 mg of active ingredient.

The action of Contrahist is based on the active substance, i.e. levocetirizine. This substance has the property of stopping the peripheral effects of histamine, i.e. neurohormone, which acts as a mediator of allergic reaction and inflammatory processes, and is additionally a neurotransmitter. This means that Contrahist silences the histamine that triggers an alarm in the body upon contact with an allergen.

This alarm triggers various types of reactions, mainly in the area of ​​the mucous membranes of the nose and skin, which are areas (next to the stomach and lungs) where the highest levels of histamine are recorded. Thus, Contrahist allows you to fight symptoms such as:

1. sneezing,
2. runny nose, 
3. itching and swelling of the mucous membranes,
4. skin reactions.

In addition, an important action of Contrahist, due to the properties of levocetirizine, is to inhibit the influx of eosinophils, i.e. cells of the late stage of the inflammatory reaction.

Due to levocetirizine, Contrahist is classified as the second of the two main generations of antihistamines. Levocetirizine as a second-generation substance, unlike the active substances of the first generation, lasts longer, causes fewer side effects and does not affect other types of receptors, thus not causing drowsiness or concentration disorders. How fast does Contrahist work? Symptoms should disappear after 15-20 minutes after taking the drug. Usually, the duration of the long-term treatment is 4 weeks.

Contrahist – composition

The composition will vary depending on the form of the drug taken. Contrahist film-coated tablets contain (1 tablet):

1. active substance – 5 mg of levocetirizine dihydrochloride,
2. excipients – lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose type 102, magnesium stearate,
3. the composition of the coating – macrogol 400, titanium dioxide E 171, hypromellose 6cP.

Contrahist syrup, on the other hand, consists of (1 ml of oral solution):

1. active substance – 0,5 mg levocetirizine dihydrochloride,
2. excipients – sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium benzoate E 211, liquid maltitol E 965, glacial acetic acid, glycerol E 422, propylene glycol E 1520, sodium saccharin E 954, purified water, wild strawberry flavor, natural flavoring substances.

Contrahist – indications

This antiallergic solution is used for symptomatic treatment mainly of:

1. allergic rhinitis,
2. chronic rhinitis,
3. chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Also read: «Sensitizing allergens. What can trigger an anaphylactic reaction? »

Contrahist – contraindications

When should you not use Contrahist? Particular care should be taken in the case of hypersensitivity to any component of the drug, especially levocetirizine, cetirizine, hydroxyzine and other piperazine derivatives. In addition, in the case of Contrahist in syrup, due to the presence of maltitol, the drug should not be taken by people diagnosed with hereditary fructose intolerance. The same recommendation applies to people with severe kidney problems.

Contrahist – dosage

The dosage, as well as the age groups to which Contrahist is dedicated, depend on the form of the drug. The oral solution can be used by adults and children over 2 years of age. It is not recommended to administer Contrahist syrup to younger children due to the lack of adequate data indicating the safety or efficacy of drugs for this age group.

1. In the case of adults and children over 6 years of age, it is recommended to take 10 ml of the syrup, i.e. 5 mg of levocetirizine per day.
2. What dose for the baby? Contrahist in children from 2 to 6 years of age should be administered in the amount of 5 ml of the drug (they felt 2,5 mg of levocetirizine) per day, but importantly, in two doses of 2,5 ml of the solution.

How to use Contrahist in syrup? You can take it directly in the form contained in the package or dissolve in water. In the latter case, it is important to drink the solution as soon as it dissolves. The syringe included in the package allows you to measure the appropriate dose of Contrahist.

Contrahist 5 mg in tablets is intended for adults and children over 6 years of age. In younger children, the use of the drug is not recommended. Regarding the dosage of Contrahistu tablets, it is recommended for both adults and children over 6 years to take 1 tablet (5 mg of levocetirizine) per day. The tablets should be taken whole with liquid.

The proposed dose is not justified both in the case of the syrup and Contrahist tablets, in people with impaired renal function. The treatment plan is established by the patient’s doctor. On the other hand, people with diagnosed liver dysfunction, but no kidney abnormalities, can follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Take Contrahist in the morning or in the evening? The manufacturer does not indicate a specific time of day. However, according to the leaflet, Contrahist can be taken independently of food intake as food does not affect the absorption of levocetirizine. It can only affect the rate of absorption.

Contrahist – how many days to use?

In case of allergic intermittent rhinitis, symptoms should last less than 4 days per week and a total duration of less than 4 weeks. You can then take Contrahist when it is needed and therefore when symptoms appear, but discontinue as soon as the symptoms have resolved.

The situation is different in the case of chronic rhinitis, i.e. the persistence of symptoms for more than 4 days a week or more than 4 weeks in total. Then Contrahist should be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor.

See also: “Food allergy in children and adults”

Contrahist – taking a higher dose

Side effects may occur after taking more Contrahist than recommended. In adults, somnolence is observed, while in children, restlessness is initially followed by somnolence. Treatment for overdose of Contrahist is supportive and symptomatic. If a patient sees his doctor shortly after an overdose, he may decide to gastric lavage. However, hemodialysis is not applicable.

Contrahist – side effects

As with all medications, Contrahist may have some side effects. For this particular drug, these may include:

1. dry mouth
2. fatigue,
3. headaches,
4. somnolence.

The side effects, occurring much less frequently, include:

1. stomach pain,
2. exhaustion,
3. difficulty breathing and / or swallowing,
4. palpitations,
5. blurred vision,
6. swelling
7. skin eruptions, itching,
8. shortness of breath
9. weight gain
10. muscle aches,
11. agitation and aggression,
12. hepatitis,
13. hepatic impairment,
14. vomiting, nausea,
15. rocking sensation and impaired concentration,
16. chest tightness and sudden wheezing
17. hives.

If a patient notices any of these symptoms, he / she should see a doctor, and treatment with this preparation may need to be discontinued.

Other worrying symptoms that may occur and indicate hypersensitivity to Contrahist include:

1. swelling of the tongue, lips or throat
2. difficulties with breathing,
3. painful urination and difficulty emptying the bladder completely
4. sudden drop in blood pressure (which may lead to a collapse).

In the event of their occurrence or the appearance of disturbing symptoms not listed in the package leaflet, you should promptly inform your doctor about them.

Contrahist and alcohol – interactions

When taking Contrahist, you should refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages. The active substance contained in the preparation may react with alcohol and adversely affect the central nervous system, inhibiting its activities.

Also read: “Eight drugs that are better not to be combined with alcohol”

Contrahist and pregnancy

According to the package leaflet of Contrahist, there are insufficient data to confirm its safety in pregnant women. Admittedly, in animal clinical trials, no negative effects on the embryo, fetus or the course of pregnancy and delivery have been reported, but no such studies have been performed in humans. The use of Contrahist in pregnant women should be associated with extreme caution and reliable assessment by a doctor.

Contrahist and breastfeeding

As in the case of pregnant patients, also in breastfeeding women there are insufficient test results to confirm the safety of taking Contrahist. Therefore, caution should be exercised in its use.

Contrahist and other drugs

There are no studies that list directly the medicinal substances that interfere with levocetirizine. However, it is known that cetirizine, from which the active ingredient of Contrahist is derived, may interact with ritonavir and theophylline.

Some people wonder about the influence on the line: Contrahist and contraceptives. Antihistamines and contraceptives are metabolized in the liver, so there is theoretically the possibility of a conflict between them. However, the levocetirizine contained in Contrahist is excreted by the kidneys, which means that this medicine is not expected to interfere with each other’s action. However, it is worth discussing this issue with your doctor.

Contrahist – reviews

Contrahist has very different opinions among people who use it. It is indicated as effective in ailments related to allergies. Some of the people taking it do not experience any adverse effects, others say the drug is relatively safe when used shortly. Not recommended for young children under 2 years of age.

Contrahist – cena

The price of the drug in tablets differs from the price of the solution. Contrahist issued in coated tablets costs about PLN 6 to PLN 20 depending on the number of tablets it contains, and the price of the solution is about PLN 23.

Contrahist – replacements

Contrahist is available by prescription only and is refundable. There are three substitutes for this drug in the form of a solution on the Polish market – Levocedo, Zyx and Xyzal. In addition, there are substitutes for Contrahist in the form of film-coated tablets. These include reimbursed – Cezera, Zenaro, Nossin, Lirra and Xyzal, as well as non-reimbursed Levocetirizine Dr. Max. The replacement for Contrahist without a prescription is Lirra Gem, Zilola or Zyx Bio.

Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home. Now you can use e-consultation also free of charge under the National Health Fund.