SATURDAY NOV 10, 2007 (Foodconsumer.org) -- The Food and Drug Administration Friday announced its approval of Zyrtec-D (cetirizine HCl 5 mg and pseudoephedrine HCl 120 mg) for non-prescription sales to treat allergies in adults and children age 12 or older.

Zyrtec-D consisting of an antihistamine and a nasal decongestant has been approved since 2001 for use as a prescription drug.   It can be used to treat symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies including runny nose sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, itching of the nose or throat and nasal congestion.

Zyrtec-D can also be used to reduce swelling of nasal passage and relieve sinus congestion and pressure and restore freer breathing through the nose.

Hay fever and other allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease, according to the FDA. About 50 million people in the US suffer each year, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.   Hay fever is caused by reactions to pollen causing the release of histamine around the nose and eyes.

Like many other drugs, Zyrtec-D causes side effects.    The common side effects include drowsiness, fatigue and dry mouth.

An alternative to conventional treatments such as Zyrtec-D, patients may try natural remedies before taking the medication.   One thing to do is eliminate the dairy products as some observations indicate that these foods may be responsible for some cases.   Some supplements that may helps include vitamin C (250-500 mg a dose and four doses a day for children), quercetin and herb nettle (250 mg a dose and three doses a day).  But these remedies are not approved by the FDA.

Zyrtec-D is distributed by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, based in Fort Washington, PA.   The sales of this drug are subject to restrictions in the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act, the FDA says in its statement. Pseudoephedrine, a major component in the drug may be abused as a stimulant.