Gixer Syrup 60ml Cetirizine for Allergy & Hay Fever

Drug Class: Second-Generation Antihistamine | Form: Oral Syrup | Prescription Status: Over-the-Counter (OTC) — DRAP Registered |

What is Gixer Syrup 60ml?

Gixer Syrup 60ml is an antihistamine oral syrup containing Cetirizine Dihydrochloride — 5mg in every 5ml dose — used to relieve the symptoms of allergic reactions in both adults and children. Allergic symptoms occur when the body's immune system overreacts to harmless substances — such as pollen, dust, pet dander, mould, or certain foods — releasing a chemical called histamine that triggers the characteristic symptoms of allergy including sneezing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, skin rash, and hives. Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine that works by blocking the histamine receptors responsible for these reactions — rapidly relieving allergy symptoms without the significant drowsiness caused by older first-generation antihistamines such as Chlorpheniramine or Promethazine. This makes Gixer Syrup suitable for daytime use — allowing patients to manage their allergy symptoms while remaining alert and functional for school, work, and daily activities. Cetirizine also has a mild anti-inflammatory action that helps reduce the overall allergic response in the airways and skin — providing more complete symptom relief than simple symptom blocking alone. Gixer Syrup is manufactured by Barrett Hodgson Pakistan — one of Pakistan's most trusted pharmaceutical companies — and is suitable for adults and children from 2 years of age.

What is Gixer Syrup Used For?

Gixer Syrup 60ml is approved for the relief of symptoms associated with the following allergic conditions:

• Allergic Rhinitis — Hay Fever — sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy nose caused by pollen, grass, trees, or seasonal environmental allergens (موسمی الرجی — ناک کی الرجی)
• Perennial Allergic Rhinitis — year-round allergy symptoms caused by non-seasonal triggers — including house dust mites, pet dander, mould spores, and cockroach allergens (سارا سال رہنے والی ناک کی الرجی)
• Allergic Conjunctivitis — itchy, red, and watery eyes triggered by allergens — including pollen, dust, and pet dander (آنکھوں کی الرجی)
• Urticaria (Hives) — raised, intensely itchy welts on the skin caused by an allergic reaction to food, medicines, insect stings, or unknown triggers (چھپاکی — جلد پر خارش دار ابھار)
• Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria — persistent hives lasting more than 6 weeks without an identifiable cause — Cetirizine is a first-line treatment for this condition
• Allergic Skin Reactions — itchy skin rashes caused by contact with allergens, environmental triggers, or hypersensitivity reactions
• Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) — Allergic Component — relief of the itching associated with allergic eczema flares (خارش والی جلدی بیماری)
• Insect Bite and Sting Reactions — relief of local and mild systemic allergic reactions to mosquito bites, bee stings, and other insect exposures
• Drug Allergy Symptoms — mild allergic skin reactions to medicines — always consult a doctor for moderate or severe drug reactions
• Food Allergy Symptoms — relief of mild allergic reactions including skin rash and itching triggered by food allergens — not for anaphylaxis

How Does Gixer Syrup Work?

Cetirizine Dihydrochloride relieves allergy symptoms through a highly targeted and well-understood pharmacological mechanism:

Selective H1 Histamine Receptor Blockade: When the immune system encounters an allergen — such as pollen, dust, or pet dander — it triggers specialised immune cells called mast cells and basophils to release histamine from storage granules into surrounding tissues and the bloodstream. Histamine then binds to H1 receptors located throughout the body — in the nasal passages, eyes, skin, and airways — triggering the familiar cascade of allergic symptoms. In the nose, histamine causes vasodilation and increased mucus secretion — producing runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. In the eyes, it causes itching, redness, and watering. In the skin, it causes itching, redness, swelling, and hive formation. In the airways, it contributes to bronchoconstriction and airway hypersensitivity.

Cetirizine works by competitively and selectively binding to peripheral H1 histamine receptors — blocking histamine from attaching and activating them. By occupying the receptor without activating it, Cetirizine prevents histamine from triggering its downstream cascade of allergic symptoms. This provides rapid, reliable relief from sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes, and hives. Because Cetirizine binds H1 receptors with high selectivity and affinity, it works at relatively low doses and provides sustained, long-lasting relief — typically for 24 hours from a single daily dose.

Second-Generation Advantage — Minimal Sedation: Older first-generation antihistamines — such as Chlorpheniramine, Diphenhydramine, and Promethazine — cross the blood-brain barrier easily and block histamine receptors in the brain, causing significant sedation, drowsiness, and impaired cognitive function. Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine specifically designed with a chemical structure that crosses the blood-brain barrier very poorly. This means it acts primarily at peripheral H1 receptors in the body — where allergy symptoms originate — without causing the significant central nervous system sedation of older antihistamines. At recommended doses, most patients can take Gixer Syrup and continue normal daily activities including school, work, and driving without significant drowsiness — making it a much more practical choice for daytime allergy management.

Additional Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Beyond simple histamine receptor blockade, Cetirizine has been shown to have additional anti-inflammatory actions that contribute to its effectiveness. It reduces the migration of eosinophils — inflammatory cells involved in allergic reactions — into allergic tissues, inhibits the release of other inflammatory mediators from mast cells, and reduces the expression of adhesion molecules that help inflammatory cells accumulate at sites of allergic reaction. These broader anti-inflammatory effects mean Cetirizine provides more complete and sustained allergy relief than simple receptor blockade alone — particularly in chronic allergic conditions such as perennial allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria.

Dosage and Administration

⚠️ Always use the measuring spoon or oral syringe provided — never a household teaspoon. Gixer Syrup can be taken with or without food. Take at a consistent time each day for best results in chronic allergy conditions. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

Important Instructions:

• Shake the bottle gently before every use
• Use the measuring oral syringe or graduated spoon provided — never estimate with a household teaspoon
• Can be taken with or without food — food does not significantly affect Cetirizine absorption
• Taking in the evening is preferred for adults as even mild drowsiness occurs in some patients and is less disruptive at night
• For seasonal allergic rhinitis — start taking Gixer Syrup before the allergy season begins for best preventive effect
• For chronic conditions such as chronic urticaria — take every day consistently even on days with no symptoms — consistent daily dosing maintains histamine receptor blockade and prevents breakthrough symptoms
• Do not take a double dose if you miss one — simply take the next scheduled dose at the regular time
• Do not exceed the maximum recommended daily dose — higher doses do not provide better allergy relief and significantly increase the risk of side effects

Active Ingredient

Who Should NOT Use Gixer Syrup?

Do not use this syrup if you or your child:

• Are allergic to Cetirizine Dihydrochloride, Hydroxyzine (a related antihistamine), or any other ingredient in this formulation
• Have severe kidney failure (گردے کی شدید ناکامی) — Cetirizine is primarily cleared by the kidneys — severe kidney failure causes dangerous drug accumulation without dose adjustment
• Are under 2 years of age without specific medical prescription — use in infants requires specialist medical supervision
• Are taking CNS depressants or sedatives without informing your doctor — combined sedation may be significant in sensitive individuals

Tell your doctor or pharmacist before use if you have:

• Any degree of kidney impairment — dose reduction is required even for mild to moderate kidney disease — always inform your doctor of any kidney condition before taking Cetirizine
• Liver disease — mild to moderate liver disease does not generally require dose adjustment but severe liver disease combined with kidney impairment requires careful medical assessment
• Epilepsy or a history of seizures — antihistamines may affect seizure threshold in susceptible patients
• Difficulty urinating or enlarged prostate — antihistamines can reduce bladder muscle tone — use with caution
• Bladder obstruction or urinary retention — even second-generation antihistamines can worsen this in susceptible patients
• If you are pregnant — Cetirizine is generally avoided during the first trimester — consult your doctor before use during pregnancy
• If you are breastfeeding — Cetirizine passes into breast milk — consult your doctor before use
• If the patient is elderly — reduced kidney function with age means lower doses are recommended and the patient should be monitored for drowsiness and urinary difficulties

Side Effects

Gixer Syrup is very well tolerated by most patients. As a second-generation antihistamine, Cetirizine causes significantly less drowsiness than older antihistamines. Not everyone will experience side effects.

Common Side Effects (relatively frequent):

• Mild drowsiness or sedation — less common than with first-generation antihistamines but still possible in some patients — particularly at higher doses or in sensitive individuals (ہلکی نیند یا غنودگی)
• Dry mouth — mild and usually temporary (منہ کی خشکی) — drink water regularly
• Headache — usually mild and temporary
• Fatigue or tiredness — usually mild
• Mild stomach discomfort or nausea — usually settles with continued use — taking with food reduces this
• Dizziness — mild — more common in elderly patients

Serious Side Effects (rare — seek medical help immediately):

• Severe allergic reaction to Cetirizine (Anaphylaxis) — paradoxically, the medicine itself can trigger an allergic reaction in extremely rare cases. Signs include sudden widespread rash, intense swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapid heartbeat, or collapse — seek emergency help immediately
• Acute urinary retention — sudden inability to pass urine — more likely in elderly men with enlarged prostates — seek medical attention immediately
• Severe drowsiness or confusion — particularly in elderly patients or with overdose — stop the medicine and seek medical attention
• Seizures — very rare — more likely in patients with pre-existing epilepsy or in overdose situations — seek emergency help
• Liver enzyme elevation — very rare — signs of liver problems include yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent nausea — stop and consult a doctor
• Fixed drug eruption or severe skin reaction — unusual skin discolouration or blistering appearing in the same skin location each time the medicine is taken — stop and consult a doctor

If you notice any serious side effects, stop using Gixer Syrup and consult your doctor or go to the nearest hospital promptly.

Drug Interactions

Cetirizine has fewer drug interactions than first-generation antihistamines but the following are important:

Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, supplements, or herbal preparations you are currently taking before using Gixer Syrup.

Storage Instructions

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place
• Keep away from direct sunlight and excessive heat
• Do not refrigerate or freeze the syrup
• Keep out of reach of children (بچوں کی پہنچ سے دور رکھیں)
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the bottle or outer box
• Shake gently before every use
• Keep the bottle cap tightly closed after each use to prevent contamination and evaporation
• Discard any remaining syrup after the treatment course or after the in-use shelf life stated on the label
• Do not use if the syrup appears discoloured, cloudy, or has changed in smell or consistency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gixer Syrup used for?

Gixer Syrup contains Cetirizine 5mg per 5ml — a second-generation antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, skin rashes, and hives caused by hay fever, dust, pet dander, insect bites, and other allergic triggers. It works by blocking histamine receptors throughout the body — preventing histamine from triggering allergic symptoms — while causing significantly less drowsiness than older antihistamines.

Will Gixer Syrup make my child or me drowsy?

Cetirizine causes significantly less drowsiness than older antihistamines like Chlorpheniramine or Promethazine — making Gixer Syrup much more suitable for daytime use. However mild drowsiness can still occur in some patients — particularly at higher doses, in young children, and in elderly patients. If drowsiness does occur, taking the dose in the evening rather than the morning minimises its impact on daily activities. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Cetirizine affects you personally.

How quickly does Gixer Syrup work?

 Cetirizine is absorbed rapidly from the gut and begins to work within 20 to 60 minutes of taking the correct dose. Peak blood levels and maximum antihistamine effect are usually reached within 1 hour of administration. The antihistamine effect of a single dose lasts for approximately 24 hours — which is why once-daily dosing is sufficient for most adults. For seasonal allergies, starting Gixer Syrup a few days before the allergy season begins — before significant allergen exposure — provides the best preventive protection.

Can I give Gixer Syrup to my child for a dust or pet allergy?

Yes — Gixer Syrup is suitable for children from 2 years of age for year-round (perennial) allergic rhinitis caused by dust mites, pet dander, mould, and other non-seasonal triggers. For children 2 to 6 years — give 2.5ml twice daily. For children 6 to 12 years — give 5ml twice daily or 10ml once daily as directed by your doctor. For year-round allergy triggers, consistent daily dosing provides better long-term symptom control than using the medicine only when symptoms appear.

Is there a difference between Gixer Syrup and Cetirizine tablets?

The active medicine — Cetirizine Dihydrochloride — is identical in both forms. The difference is purely in the form of administration and dose convenience. Gixer Syrup at 5mg per 5ml is specifically suited for children and adults who cannot swallow tablets — allowing accurate weight-appropriate dosing in smaller, measured volumes. Cetirizine tablets (typically 10mg) are more convenient for adults and older children who can swallow tablets. Both provide the same antihistamine effect when the correct dose is given.

How long can I use Gixer Syrup continuously?

For seasonal allergies — Gixer Syrup can be used throughout the allergy season and stopped when the season ends. For perennial (year-round) allergies and chronic urticaria — Cetirizine is safe for long-term continuous daily use under medical supervision. Unlike older antihistamines, Cetirizine does not lose effectiveness with long-term use. If you have been using Gixer Syrup daily for more than 4 weeks without improvement, consult your doctor — the diagnosis may need to be reviewed or additional allergy management strategies considered.

---

⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This product description is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. For severe allergic reactions including throat swelling, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis — seek emergency medical help immediately and do not rely on antihistamine syrup alone.

---

DRAP Registered | Over-the-Counter (OTC) | Manufactured by Barrett Hodgson Pakistan | Shake gently before use | Suitable for children from 2 years of age