Consumer, Zyrtec allergy medicine don’t Heal Thyseff Opponents say that a switch to OTC status puts consumers at risk: Without physicians to advise them, opponents claim, consumers might misdiagnose their symptoms and take these drugs when they’re not warranted. J&J said in a previous statement that it planned to start selling Zyrtec and Zyrtec-D as OTC medicines this month. The drug works like zyrtec allergy medicine an allergy shot, preventing allergic reactions from occurring. Prescription Zyrtec had sales of $1. 3 billion for the 12 months ending September 2007, according to aRanbaxy statement that quotes data from market research firm IMS Health Inc. Sales for the combined months zyrtec allergy medicine of March and April 2008 increased 9. 2 percent from the same two months in 2007. The manufacturers contend that years of further study will be required before the drugs can be sold zyrtec allergy medicine otc in the U. Zyrtec allergy medicine april pharmacy sales increased 10. 8 percent, while comparable pharmacy sales increased 4. 2 percent. And Iceland’s Actavis Group were among those approved to package cetirizine hydrochloride-the active ingredient in Zyrtec that treats allergy symptoms such as runny nose, and itchiness from hives-in OTC products. Zyrtec allergy medicine jacob also developed elevated liver functions, which required him to endure multiple blood work and experienced symptoms of reactive airway disease. Pharmacy sales accounted for 66. 9 percent of total sales for the month. Fewer than 1 percent of employers cover the cost of OTC drugs for their employees, says Melody Carlsen, director of research at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), in Brookfield, Wis. Sandeep Rohatgi, a physician zyrtec allergy medicine in St. Louis and was then transferred to Jefferson County may end up back in the Zyrtec allergy medicine city. The Pricing Picture Will the OTC cost of second-generation antihistamines truly be so prohibitive that employees will Zyrtec allergy medicine seek other alternatives? It’s a question no one can answer for sure. First, the FDA has not yet decided how it will rule on this issue. For example, a person may have asthma that needs to be treated by a physician, she says. (See From Whence Comes the FDA’s Decision?, right. ) Second, there is considerable debate about the negative side effects employers might experience if these drugs are sold on an OTC basis.