I've got 2 packs of antihistamine tablets (Glapharm hayfever and allergy relief) - the packet Ive been using are called 'cetirizine hydrochloride'. I bought a new pack to use, thinking they were the same but these new ones are called ' cetirizine dihydrochloride' - what's the difference & will it be ok for me to take the new pack?
2007-01-29 06:26:59 · 10 answers · asked by gotaquestion123 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Both medications are the same and you can safely take the new one.
The hydrogen level in both medications is THE SAME. In chemical naming, alot of times the (DI) naming is excluded because it is understood - in chemistry the same number of hydrogen atoms would surround the chlorine atoms (so the manufacturer left it out in the original medication).
It is wrong to say that the number of hydrogen atoms changed unless the entire compound changed and was called something entirely different.
2007-01-29 06:54:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi.
Hydrochloride: a salt, esp. of an alkaloid, formed by the direct union of hydrochloric acid with an organic base that makes the organic constituent more soluble.
Dihydrochloride: a hydrochloride containing two molecules of hydrochloric acid.
So basically, dihydrochloride contains one extra molecule of hydrochloric acid, so they've probably worked out a better formula for allergies.
Good luck!
Lorna
2007-01-29 06:31:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is another difference. for the past 8 years ive been on cetirizine hydrochloride. now the chemist is dispensing cetirizine dihydrochloride.the difference is in the shape of the tablet. the foprmer is a tiny narrow but elongated tablet. the latter a small round white tablet. my beef is this, as an elderly person i put my next days tablets in a pill box with a clock n alarms to remind me wen to take each one. im on water tablets that look so much like the latter cetirizine i dont want to get mixed up but talking to my chemist is like talking to the wind. asked for the elongated hudrochloride oners/oh yes we have those in. greemn box. yes green box...... ermm both are green boxes. gren and white actually except one is smaller and fatter (tthe dihydrochloride. the other flatter and longer but same width. today they did it again./ so im goin to ring my surgery parnmacist and ask HER if she can sort it out. cos its like talkin to the wind as i said.
2016-07-21 09:49:15 · answer #3 · answered by dee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have been told by someone that the hydrochloride makes them sleepy whilst the dihydrochloride does not so how does that work if they are the same??
2015-09-29 19:53:22 · answer #4 · answered by sharron 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It may be a new formulation, using 2 hydroclorides in the molecule instead of one, or maybe they are just being more specific about the chemical composition than in the past.
Take as Directed
2007-01-29 06:31:47 · answer #5 · answered by bob shark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Host consciousness:
In the context of this question the pharmaceuticals are bio-equivalent. Your body will not know this difference, so don't worry. In many cases it could make a difference - but not this one. To all intents and purposes they are the same.
2007-01-29 06:45:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The most obvious difference is one hydrogen molecule. It's fine to take them.
2007-01-29 06:34:43 · answer #7 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference is the level of Hyrdogen in the compound. I see no reason you can't use the other package.
2007-01-29 06:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by CPT Jack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that "DI" equals two Hydrochlorides :)
2007-01-29 06:31:56 · answer #9 · answered by Adventist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the (DI)
2007-01-29 06:29:57 · answer #10 · answered by tota 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋