PPB warns against using Cetirizine for vaginal tightening.
Kenya’s pharmacy regulator warns that inserting allergy tablets into the vagina can cause harm and urges women to seek qualified medical advice.
Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has warned against Cetirizine misuse following a social media trend promoting vaginal tightening. The regulator says the allergy medicine has no approval for vaginal use and could cause harm.
Claims circulating online suggest that inserting the tablets into the vagina can cause dryness and tighten tissues. However, the board says no established scientific evidence supports using Cetirizine for this purpose.
PPB Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed I Mohamed signed the safety advisory. It explains that Cetirizine is an oral antihistamine for allergy symptoms, including allergic rhinitis and urticaria, or hives.
Cetirizine misuse poses health risks
The board warned that inserting the tablets could cause irritation, burning, soreness, pain and discomfort. In addition, products not intended for vaginal use may disrupt the vagina’s natural protective environment and increase infection risks.
The advisory also cautioned against taking more than the recommended dose. An overdose could cause excessive sleepiness, dizziness, tiredness, restlessness, confusion, shaking, a rapid heartbeat and difficulty passing urine.
PPB urged the public not to insert Cetirizine or other oral medicines into the vagina. Instead, people should take the medication by mouth only as directed by a qualified healthcare professional.
For concerns about vaginal health, dryness or sexual health, the board recommended seeking professional medical guidance. It also urged women not to rely on unverified social media claims.
Ministry plans medicine tracking system
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga raised concerns about online discussions encouraging medicine misuse. He said even conversations presented as jokes could influence some members of the public to misuse health products.
The trend has also prompted concerns about Cetirizine availability, amid reports of increased demand and panic buying. Those reports involve some parts of the country.
To address the situation, the Ministry of Health plans to introduce a track-and-trace system for Cetirizine. The system would monitor the medicine’s movement through manufacture, distribution and sale, including bulk purchases that could indicate misuse.
PPB also urged anyone experiencing suspected side effects or medicine-related safety concerns to report them. Reporting channels include its online pharmacovigilance portal, the mPvERS mobile application, email and telephone.
