How Is Cetirizine Hydrochloride Made?
Cetirizine hydrochloride is an antihistamine that helps prevent the symptoms of allergies such as sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Commonly in tablet form, cetirizine hydrochloride can also relieve the itchiness and pain caused by skin rashes. It is the active ingredient in the brand name allergy medication Zyrtec. For people unable to take tablets, cetirizine hydrochloride can also be manufactured into syrup. Cetirizine hydrochloride is a racemic compound. A compound is a term used to describe the mixture of two or more elements. In a racemic compound, there are two enantiomers, which are chemical mirror images, or opposites, which are present in equal amounts. Cetirizine hydrochloride is further classed as an H1 receptor antagonist drug. An H1 receptor drug attaches to cell receptors, and helps stimulate histamine production. This is needed when the cells aren’t producing enough histamine naturally to fight allergy symptoms. An H1 receptor helps blood vessels dilate and muscles
