Contac Z (新コンタック鼻炎Z): ingredients, dose and warnings in English
Contac Z (新コンタック鼻炎Z) is sold in Japan as a class 2 medicine: the box reads 第2類医薬品. In 1 tablet: Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg. The package insert sets the adult dose at 1 tablet, once a day, for ages 15 and over.
第2類医薬品 · Class 2
What is in Contac Z
The package insert lists 1 active ingredient in 1 tablet. The middle column is how each one is written on the Japanese box.
| Ingredient | Name on the box | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cetirizine Hydrochloride | セチリジン塩酸塩 | 10 mg |
Additives, as written on the package insert (Japanese)
乳糖,ヒドロキシプロピルセルロース,ヒプロメロース(ヒドロキシプロピルメチルセルロース),マクロゴール,酸化チタン,ステアリン酸マグネシウム,セルロース,無水ケイ酸
Source: PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) — 新コンタック鼻炎Z: package insert (添付文書)
What the package insert lists it for
The approved wording of the Japanese package insert, translated. It is what the product is sold for, not advice on what to take.
- Relief of the following nasal allergy symptoms caused by pollen, house dust (indoor dust), etc.: sneezing, runny nose, blocked nose
The dose, as written on the package insert
Translated line by line from the directions and dosage (用法・用量) section.
- Cetirizine Hydrochloride per dose
- 10 mg
- Adult dose
- 1 tablet
- Doses a day
- 1
- Age
- 15 and over
- Take the following single dose together with water or warm water.
| Age | Single dose | Doses a day |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (15 and over) | 1 tablet | 1 time (before bedtime) |
| Children under 15 | Do not take |
Notes on the directions
- (1) Follow the directions and dosage exactly as specified.
- (2) When using it for symptoms caused by seasonal allergic rhinitis due to pollen etc., once the pollen season has begun and symptoms start to appear, it is effective to take it from an early stage while the symptoms are mild.
- (3) If your symptoms do not improve after taking it for 1 week, or if you take it for more than 2 weeks even if your symptoms have improved, ask a doctor, pharmacist or registered salesperson for advice, taking this leaflet with you.
- (4) How to take out the tablets: Press the raised part of the PTP sheet containing the tablet firmly with your fingertip to break the aluminium foil on the back, then remove the tablet and take it.
- (Accidentally swallowing it as it is can lead to unexpected accidents, such as it piercing the mucous membrane of the oesophagus.)
Do not
The package insert opens with what you must not do.
(If you do not follow these, your current symptoms may get worse, and side effects or accidents become more likely)
1. Do not take it if you are one of the following people
- (1) People who have had allergic symptoms caused by this medicine or its ingredients, or piperazine derivatives (including Levocetirizine and Hydroxyzine).
- (2) People who have been diagnosed with the following. Kidney disease
- (3) Children under 15.
2. Do not use any of the following medicines while taking this medicine
- Other allergy medicines (including medicines for skin diseases and oral medicines for rhinitis), oral medicines containing antihistamines, etc. (cold medicines, cough medicines, motion sickness medicines, sleep aids and sedatives, etc.), and oral medicines containing Theophylline, Ritonavir or Pilsicainide Hydrochloride Hydrate
3. Do not drive or operate machinery after taking it
- (Drowsiness etc. may occur.)
4. Women who are breastfeeding: do not take this medicine, or avoid breastfeeding if you take it
5. Do not drink alcohol before or after taking it
Ask a doctor, pharmacist or registered salesperson
The package insert says to ask for advice in these cases.
1. If you are one of the following people, ask a doctor, pharmacist or registered salesperson for advice before taking it
- (1) People who are receiving treatment from a doctor.
- (2) People who have been diagnosed with the following. Liver disease, epilepsy
- (3) People who have had convulsive seizures.
- (4) Women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant.
- (5) Older people.
- (6) People who have had allergic symptoms caused by medicines etc.
- (7) People who are not sure whether the symptoms are due to an allergy or due to another cause.
- (8) People who have been diagnosed with another allergic disease such as bronchial asthma or atopic dermatitis.
2. If the following symptoms appear after taking it, they may be side effects, so stop taking it immediately and ask a doctor, pharmacist or registered salesperson for advice, taking this leaflet with you
Possible side effects, by part of the body
- Nervous system
- lethargy, headache, a heavy feeling in the head, a feeling of unsteadiness, a feeling of numbness, dizziness, a floating sensation, sleeplessness, trembling, depression, suicidal thoughts, excitement, aggression, a feeling of weakness, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, body movements against your will, loss of consciousness, memory loss, nightmares
- Digestive system
- nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, indigestion, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, stomach pain, inflammation of the lips, a dry feeling on the lips, taste disturbance, mouth ulcers, a bloated feeling in the abdomen, increased appetite, swelling of the tongue
- Circulatory system
- palpitations, increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat
- Skin
- rash/redness, hives, oedema, skin irritation, itching, blisters
- Eyes
- bloodshot eyes, blurred vision, abnormal eyeball movements, swelling of the eyelids
- Respiratory system
- difficulty breathing, cough
- Urinary system
- protein in the urine, sugar in the urine, frequent urination, blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, urinary incontinence
- Other
- ringing in the ears, menstrual abnormalities, chest pain, flushing, joint pain, stiffness in the hands and feet, abnormal sense of smell, nasal bleeding, hair loss, weight gain, muscle pain, fever
- In rare cases the following serious symptoms may occur. If they do, see a doctor immediately.
Rare but serious symptoms: name and signs
- Shock (anaphylaxis)
- right after taking it, itchy skin, hives, hoarseness, sneezing, itchy throat, difficulty breathing, palpitations, clouding of consciousness, etc. appear.
- Convulsions
- contractions of the muscles appear in sudden attacks.
- Liver dysfunction
- fever, itching, rash, jaundice (the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow), brown urine, tiredness all over the body, loss of appetite, etc. appear.
- Decreased platelet count
- because the number of platelets, a component of the blood, decreases, bleeding symptoms such as nosebleeds, bleeding from the gums and bruises appear.
3. The following symptoms may appear after taking it, so if these symptoms continue or get worse, stop taking it and ask a doctor, pharmacist or registered salesperson for advice, taking this leaflet with you
- Dry mouth, constipation, diarrhoea, drowsiness
Who can sell it in Japan
The Contac Z box carries the class 第2類医薬品, which decides who may sell it.
- On the box
- 第2類医薬品 (Class 2). The box reads 第2類医薬品.
- Who can sell it
- A pharmacist or a registered salesperson may sell it.
Source: e-Gov law search (Digital Agency, Japan) — Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (医薬品医療機器等法), current text · e-Gov law search (Digital Agency, Japan) — Enforcement Regulations of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (施行規則), current text
Taking it home
Frequently asked questions
How much Cetirizine Hydrochloride is in Contac Z?
10 mg in a dose of 1 tablet, according to the Japanese package insert.
How much Contac Z can an adult take in a day?
The package insert sets the adult dose at 1 tablet, once a day.
Can children take Contac Z?
No. The package insert says it is not to be taken under 15.
Do I need a pharmacist to buy Contac Z?
Contac Z is a class 2 medicine (第2類医薬品). A pharmacist or a registered salesperson may sell it.
What is Contac Z called in Japanese?
新コンタック鼻炎Z. The Contac Z box also carries the class 第2類医薬品.
Related items
Package insert in Japanese: PMDA
Sources for this page
- PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) 新コンタック鼻炎Z: package insert (添付文書)checked October 3, 2026
- e-Gov law search (Digital Agency, Japan) Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (医薬品医療機器等法), current textchecked October 3, 2026
- e-Gov law search (Digital Agency, Japan) Enforcement Regulations of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (施行規則), current textchecked October 3, 2026
Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 3, 2026