An allergy tablet is meant to help you breathe easier, not make your vagina tighter. But misleading claims circulating on social media are encouraging women to misuse cetirizine for vaginal dryness and tightening, prompting a safety warning from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
The regulator has cautioned that the practice could cause irritation, burning, soreness and pain, while increasing the risk of infections.
In a safety notice dated November 4, the Board’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ahmed I. Mohamed, said cetirizine is an antihistamine intended to relieve allergy symptoms, including allergic rhinitis and urticaria, and should only be taken orally as directed by a qualified healthcare professional.
“Cetirizine is not approved for vaginal use or tightening, and there is no established scientific evidence supporting its use for this purpose,” Mohamed said.
The Board cautioned that inserting cetirizine tablets into the vagina could cause irritation, burning, soreness, pain and discomfort. It also warned that introducing medicines not designed for vaginal use could disrupt the vagina’s natural protective environment and increase the risk of infections.
The warning is also significant for people who depend on cetirizine to manage genuine allergic conditions, as misleading online claims could encourage inappropriate use of a medicine intended for a different purpose.
The regulator further warned against taking more than the recommended dose, saying excessive use could cause sleepiness, dizziness, tiredness, restlessness, confusion, shaking, a rapid heartbeat and difficulty passing urine.
Mohamed urged the public to use the medicine only for its approved purposes and avoid following unverified health claims circulating online.
The Board advised women not to insert cetirizine or any other oral medicine into the vagina, exceed recommended doses or experiment with medicines to address vaginal health concerns.
Women experiencing vaginal dryness or other sexual health concerns have been urged to seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals rather than resort to unproven remedies.
The regulator also asked members of the public to report suspected side effects and other medicine-related safety concerns through its online pharmacovigilance portal, the mPvERS mobile application, email or telephone.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board is mandated under Cap 244 of the Laws of Kenya to regulate the pharmacy profession and safeguard public health by ensuring access to quality, safe and effective health products and technologies.
