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Hatric

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Hatric

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Hatric

Understanding Hatric

Hatric is a combination medication primarily used for the symptomatic relief of the common cold, hay fever, and other upper respiratory allergies. It is formulated to address multiple symptoms simultaneously, such as nasal congestion, sneezing, and watery eyes.

Components and Mechanism

The medication typically consists of two active ingredients that work through different pathways:

  • Antihistamine: This component works by blocking the action of histamine, a natural substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms. By inhibiting histamine receptors, it helps reduce sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
  • Decongestant: This component acts on the blood vessels in the nasal passages. It works by narrowing these vessels, which reduces swelling and congestion, making it easier to breathe through the nose.

Intended Use

Hatric is intended for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with respiratory tract inflammation. It is often utilized when a patient experiences a combination of allergic reactions and nasal blockages that interfere with daily activities or rest. Because it addresses both the allergic response and the physical obstruction of nasal passages, it is classified as a multi-symptom relief agent.

Regulatory References

  1. Levocetirizine: H1 receptor antagonist - NIH NCI Drug Dictionary

What side effects are possible with Hatric?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Hatric (Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride) is established through clinical trials and ongoing post-marketing surveillance, defining the officially documented adverse reactions based on their frequency and the body system affected.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The most frequently observed adverse reactions are classified as Common (occurring in 1 to 10 users in 100). These include Somnolence (drowsiness), Headache, Fatigue, and Dry Mouth. Less frequently observed reactions, categorized as Uncommon, include Asthenia (exhaustion) and Abdominal Pain. Certain effects, such as aggression, suicidal ideation, and visual disturbances, are documented through post-marketing reports and are classified as having a Not Known frequency, meaning their incidence cannot be estimated from available data.

System-Organ Classes and Serious Events

Adverse effects are formally grouped by System Organ Class (SOC). Reactions are documented across the Nervous System (e.g., somnolence, dizziness), Gastrointestinal System (e.g., dry mouth, nausea), and Psychiatric Disorders (e.g., depression, agitation). Serious adverse reactions documented in official labeling include rare instances of severe Hypersensitivity (including anaphylaxis), Convulsion/Seizure Aggravation, and Suicidal Ideation.

Population and Duration Safety Notes

Official safety documents define specific restrictions for certain populations. The medicine is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 10 ml/min). Caution is warranted for individuals with factors predisposing them to urinary retention. Regarding exposure patterns, somnolence and fatigue may be more pronounced immediately following administration. Furthermore, persistent, severe pruritus (itching) has been documented following the abrupt discontinuation of long-term daily use.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Hatric Overdose and when to seek help

This section describes the officially documented information regarding Hatric overdose, based strictly on government regulatory sources (e.g., FDA, EMA prescribing information).

Documented Overdose Manifestations

Clinical signs and symptoms reported in overdose include Central Nervous System (CNS) effects such as drowsiness, somnolence, agitation, or restlessness. Other documented presentations are dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and tachycardia (if the product contains sympathomimetics).

Serious Outcomes and Management

Overdose is classified as potentially severe or life-threatening due to the risk of serious complications, including acute hepatic necrosis (if Paracetamol/Acetaminophen is a component) and seizures or severe CNS depression. Patients with pre-existing hepatic or renal impairment may be at increased risk. Official guidance states that management is primarily supportive and symptomatic.

When to Seek Urgent Medical Help

Immediate medical attention or contact with a certified Poison Control Center is mandatory upon the suspicion or confirmed ingestion of an excessive amount of Hatric. This action is required regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms, due to the potential for severe or delayed toxicity. Treatment may involve specific measures, such as the administration of an antidote (e.g., N-Acetylcysteine) and extended hospital monitoring.

Therapeutic Uses of Hatric

Hatric is applied across therapeutic domains involving heightened physiological activity stemming from allergic reactions. The medication is commonly used to help with conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. It is considered relevant for managing the acute and recurrent discomfort associated with Allergic Rhinitis (both seasonal and perennial), as well as the uncomplicated manifestations of Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (hives). It helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, such as frequent sneezing, a runny nose, eye itching, and skin pruritus. In clinical settings, the medication is often used during phases when symptoms become more noticeable, providing supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities. By easing these challenging symptoms, Hatric supports general well-being and helps ease the overall symptom load during difficult episodes.

“It is commonly used to help with conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.”

Quick Fact: Role in Managing Itching (Pruritus) The medication is commonly used in addressing skin-related symptomatic discomfort by helping to manage symptoms that may become intense or disruptive, such as itching associated with hives.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus overview of Levocetirizine

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who Can and Cannot Use Hatric

Official regulatory documents establish strict eligibility criteria for Hatric (Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride), primarily based on age, kidney function, and patient history.

Eligibility Scope Status as Defined in Regulatory Labeling
Populations for whom use is allowed Adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older. Children 6 months of age and older (must use the oral solution for those under 6 years)
Populations for whom use is contraindicated Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (creatinine clearance <10 mL/min), those on hemodialysis, or patients with known hypersensitivity to levocetirizine or any piperazine derivatives.
Age-related eligibility rules Use is not established in infants younger than 6 months of age. The tablet formulation is not recommended for children under 6 years.
Condition-specific eligibility rules Use in adults and adolescents with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment is permitted but requires restriction and adjustment. No dose adjustment is needed for patients with solely hepatic impairment.
Pregnancy and lactation eligibility status Pregnancy: Use may be considered if clearly needed. Lactation: Use is generally not recommended, and caution is advised due to the likelihood of excretion into human milk.

Official Eligibility Structure

The most severe regulatory constraint is the absolute contraindication for patients with the most severe form of kidney disease and for all children (6 months to 11 years) who have any degree of impaired renal function. Use is further restricted for eligible adults based on their level of kidney function and for patients with predisposing factors for urinary retention. This structure ensures that eligibility is strictly defined by the physiological capacity to safely metabolize and clear the medicine.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Hatric, which contains a combination of active ingredients such as paracetamol (acetaminophen), an antihistamine (e.g., chlorpheniramine or levocetirizine), and a nasal decongestant (e.g., phenylephrine), may interact with other medicines, supplements, and certain foods.

Major Drug Interactions to Avoid

It is critical to avoid taking Hatric with:

  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Antidepressants like phenelzine or isocarboxazid, or having taken them within the last 14 days, can lead to a severe hypertensive crisis due to the decongestant component.
  • Other Paracetamol/Acetaminophen-Containing Products: This combination should be strictly avoided, as it significantly increases the risk of severe liver damage (hepatotoxicity).
  • Other Decongestants: Combining with other decongestants (e.g., ephedrine, pseudoephedrine) can increase the risk of cardiovascular side effects, such as elevated blood pressure and irregular heartbeat.

Other Potential Interactions

Caution is advised when using Hatric with the following, and a doctor's consultation is necessary:

Medicine Type Potential Interaction Risk
Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants (e.g., alcohol, other antihistamines, sleeping pills) Increased drowsiness, sedation, or impaired coordination, due to the antihistamine component.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) Increased risk of severe side effects, including elevated blood pressure.
Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants, e.g., warfarin) Regular use of paracetamol may potentiate the effect of anticoagulants, increasing the risk of bleeding.

Additionally, limit or avoid alcohol consumption entirely, as it enhances the sedative effects and increases the risk of liver toxicity. High intake of caffeine from beverages or foods may also increase the risk of side effects like nervousness and insomnia.

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism of action for the active pharmaceutical ingredient levocetirizine is defined by its interaction as a highly selective inverse agonist at the Histamine H1 receptor ( H1 R).

Levocetirizine binds to the inactive conformation of the H1 R, stabilizing this state and consequently shifting the receptor's conformational equilibrium away from the active state. This molecular interaction results in the inhibition of Gq protein coupling and the subsequent intracellular cascade, which typically involves the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate ( PIP2) by Phospholipase C ( PLC).

Downstream signaling is thus suppressed, preventing the resultant increase in intracellular calcium ( Ca^2+) concentration and the activation of PKC. This interruption of the histamine-mediated signaling pathway in target cells, particularly those in the vasculature and smooth muscle, leads to a system-level physiological modulation characterized by a reduction in histamine-induced vasodilation and increased vascular permeability. The drug achieves a high receptor occupancy and prolonged systemic effect.

Dosage and Administration Information

How Hatric is Used

Hatric (levocetirizine dihydrochloride) is approved for oral administration only, available as a scored 5 mg tablet and an oral solution (0.5 mg/mL). The medication is designed for a once-daily schedule and may be taken with or without food, though administration in the evening is generally recommended.

Official Dosing Regimens

The standard dosing regimen is structured based on age and kidney function.

Population Standard Daily Dose Dosing Notes
Adults and Adolescents (ge 12 years) 5 mg once daily Maximum recommended dose is 5 mg per 24 hours. A 2.5 mg dose may be used for symptom control.
Children (6 to 11 years) 2.5 mg once daily The 5 mg dose is explicitly contraindicated for this group.
Children (6 months to 5 years) 1.25 mg once daily This dose must be administered using the oral solution.

Usage Constraints and Duration

Administration frequency must be reduced for patients with renal impairment because the drug is primarily eliminated by the kidneys. For patients with moderate kidney impairment, the frequency is typically adjusted to 2.5 mg every other day. Use is explicitly contraindicated in patients with end-stage renal disease.

The duration of use is variable; it may be taken intermittently (stopped when symptoms resolve and restarted upon recurrence) or as part of a long-term plan for chronic conditions.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Hatric

This section provides an objective overview of the clinical research base for Hatric (Levocetirizine), detailing the types of studies available, the patient groups studied, and the specific outcomes research examined, as documented in authoritative scientific and regulatory literature.

Evidence for Use in Allergic Rhinitis (Seasonal and Perennial)

Studies for Hatric in allergic rhinitis—a condition characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations like sneezing and a runny nose—primarily come from Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). These short-term RCTs, often including an inactive placebo, were used in research exploring how symptoms change over time. Researchers applied studies examining patient-reported experiences using the Total Nasal Symptom Score (T-NSS), tracking changes in outcomes related to physical discomfort. The primary study populations research described included Adults, Adolescents, and Children (aged six months and older). Studies report how symptoms evolved in the observed populations related to T-NSS measurements. However, comparative evidence is lacking against the full range of other contemporary second-generation antihistamines, meaning that data for direct comparisons of outcomes against all available treatments are still emerging.

Evidence for Use in Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (Hives)

For Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU), a condition involving periods of heightened symptoms such as intense itching and hives, the research base is also primarily composed of Randomized Controlled Trials. These trials was studied for this condition over short- to intermediate-term periods. The key outcomes that research examined were the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS), which involves measurements of the severity of Pruritus (itching) and Wheal (hives) number and size. Data show patterns related to measured changes in the UAS over the defined time intervals. Research provides limited insight into outcomes beyond the typical 12-week observational period, and long-term effects are not fully established.

Unanswered Questions and Research Gaps

Despite the existing research, key research limitation frames are commonly highlighted in scientific reviews. Follow-up durations were limited in many core efficacy studies, meaning that long-term effects are not fully established. Furthermore, regulatory reviews indicate that data for certain groups remain insufficient, particularly for older adults, individuals with multiple coexisting conditions, or patients requiring treatment for periods extending beyond six months.

Key Studies & References

  1. Levocetirizine (NIH MedlinePlus)
  2. Levocetirizine and its properties in the management of chronic urticaria.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Hatric (FAQ)

Q: Can Hatric mess up my sleep cycle?

A: Official product information indicates that drowsiness (somnolence) and fatigue are common side effects of Hatric. Regulatory labeling often recommends evening administration, potentially due to these effects. Rare, documented side effects include trouble sleeping and nightmares.

Q: Are there any herbal supplements that react badly with Hatric?

A: Regulatory guidance suggests patients inform their healthcare provider about all prescription and non-prescription medicines, including herbal products and supplements. This practice is recommended because potential interactions with Hatric may be possible, even if not specifically documented.

Q: Do you need a prescription for Hatric, or is it over the counter?

A: Levocetirizine dihydrochloride, the active ingredient in Hatric, is available for both prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) use. The specific status depends on the formulation and the regulations in your country.

Q: What if I forget to take a dose of Hatric?

A: Official guidelines typically advise that a missed dose should be taken when remembered, unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose, in which case the missed dose is usually skipped. Doses should not be doubled. Patients should consult their product’s specific patient information leaflet for complete guidance.

Q: Are there any long-term effects of taking Hatric regularly?

A: Studies supporting the initial approval of Hatric had limited follow-up durations, meaning its long-term effects are not fully established. Additionally, post-marketing reports indicate that some users have experienced persistent, severe itching (pruritus) upon abruptly stopping the medication after taking it daily for a long period.

Q: Does Hatric work differently than paracetamol (acetaminophen)?

A: The medications belong to distinct classes. Hatric (levocetirizine) is officially classified as a second-generation antihistamine, working by blocking the effects of histamine to treat allergies. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a pain reliever and fever reducer that acts through a separate and different mechanism.

Q: Is a mild rash a common reaction to Hatric?

A: Official reports document adverse reactions like skin rash, which fall under the category of potential hypersensitivity reactions. While severe hypersensitivity reactions are documented, the common frequency of a mild, non-serious rash is not specifically detailed in the regulatory product information.

Q: How much scientific evidence supports the use of Hatric?

A: The efficacy and uses of Hatric are backed by evidence from multiple formal clinical studies. These include Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) that support its approved indications for treating allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives) in adults and children.

Q: Are there any specific foods I should avoid while taking Hatric?

A: Hatric can be taken with or without food, as food does not change the amount of the drug absorbed into your body. While no specific foods are forbidden, official information notes that taking the medicine with a high-fat meal may slightly reduce and delay the time it takes for the drug to reach its peak concentration.

Q: Is it true that Hatric can thin your blood?

A: Hatric (levocetirizine) is an antihistamine and is not listed in regulatory documents as a blood thinner (anticoagulant). However, official product information does advise caution regarding potential interactions with medications that are used to thin the blood.

Q: Can I take Hatric if I have kidney problems?

A: Official labeling states that use of Hatric is strictly contraindicated, or forbidden, for patients with end-stage renal disease (very severe kidney impairment). For people with milder kidney problems, the dose must be reduced and carefully adjusted according to the degree of impairment.

Q: What are the signs that I might be allergic to Hatric?

A: Regulatory labels list signs of serious allergic reactions, including a rash, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat (angioedema), and anaphylaxis. Patients experiencing these symptoms are typically advised to discontinue use and seek immediate medical attention.

Q: Does Hatric cause fluid retention or swelling?

A: Official product information notes that swelling (edema) has been documented in post-marketing reports. This means that while it is not a common side effect, it has been reported by users after the medication was approved for general use.

Q: Is the 'maximum daily dose' for Hatric strict?

A: Official regulatory labels define a maximum recommended daily dose for each patient group. This maximum dose should generally not be exceeded, as taking higher amounts can increase the risk of side effects, particularly severe drowsiness.

Q: Is it safe to drive after taking Hatric?

A: Because drowsiness is a common side effect, official guidance often cautions against driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in activities that require full mental alertness. It is advised to wait until a person knows how the medicine affects their alertness.

Q: Do different brands of Hatric work the same way?

A: Yes, different brands that contain the same active ingredient, levocetirizine dihydrochloride, are generally expected to work the same way. Generic versions are required to demonstrate bioequivalence to the branded product, confirming they deliver the same amount of the active ingredient into the body.

Q: Is it better to take Hatric with food or milk?

A: Hatric can be taken with or without food, as food does not significantly affect how much of the medicine your body absorbs. Taking the medication in the evening is generally recommended.

Q: Does Hatric have a withdrawal effect if stopped suddenly?

A: Official product information notes that some patients have experienced persistent and severe itching (pruritus) following the abrupt cessation of the drug after taking it daily for an extended period.

How should Hatric be stored and disposed of?

The storage and disposal of Hatric (levocetirizine dihydrochloride) must strictly follow the conditions outlined in its official regulatory labeling to ensure stability and public safety.

Storage Requirements

The medicine must be stored at controlled room temperature, typically between 20 C and 25 C, and should not be refrigerated or frozen. It is essential to protect the product from excessive heat and moisture.

Hatric must remain in its original container, which must be kept tightly closed, and must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal Instructions

Unused or expired Hatric should be disposed of by taking it to an authorized drug take-back location or by using a mail-back envelope. If those options are unavailable, the medicine can be discarded in household trash after mixing it with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or cat litter, and sealing the mixture in a bag or container. Do not flush the medicine down the toilet or pour it down a sink.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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