By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo

TheMediTary.Com

Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com

  • Home
  • News
  • Drugs
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Medical Answers
  • About Us
  • Contact
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo
Search Drugs
  • Drugs
    • Latest Drugs
    • Drugs A-Z
    • Medical Answers
  • News
    • FDA Alerts
    • Medical News
    • Health
    • Consumer Updates
    • Children's Health
  • More TheMediTary.Com
    • About Us
    • Contact
Follow US
Home > Drugs > Antihistamines > Cetirizine
Antihistamines

Cetirizine

https://themeditary.com/drug/cetirizine-143.html
Medically Reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm TheMediTary.Com | Reviewed: Jul 10, 2023  Additional Content by TheMediTary.Com

Generic name: cetirizine [ se-tir-a-zeen ]

Drug class: Antihistamines

Availability: Rx and/or otc

Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available

Brand names: Zyrtec

Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions FAQ
  • Cetirizine (Cetirizine [ se-tir-a-zeen ])-4H2-10 mg-White-Oval Cetirizine 10 mg (4H2)
  • Cetirizine (Cetirizine [ se-tir-a-zeen ])-SZ 906-10 mg-White-Round Cetirizine 10 mg (SZ 906)
  • Cetirizine (Cetirizine [ se-tir-a-zeen ])-SZ 106-10 mg-Peach-Round Cetirizine 10 mg (SZ 106)
  • Cetirizine (Cetirizine [ se-tir-a-zeen ])-SZ 104-5 mg-Peach-Round Cetirizine 5 mg (SZ 104)
  • View all images

What is Cetirizine?

Cetirizine is a second generation antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Cetirizine is used to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or runny nose.

Cetirizine is also used to treat an allergic reaction, itching and swelling caused by chronic urticaria (hives) and minimizes or eliminates the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, chronic idiopathic urticaria, allergic asthma, physical urticaria, and atopic dermatitis.

Warnings

Cetirizine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of cetirizine.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by cetirizine.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever.

How should I use Cetirizine

Take cetirizine exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take cetirizine with or without food.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

Oral doses: measure liquid medicine (oral solution) with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever. Store cetirizine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Detailed Cetirizine dosage information
Cetirizine Dosage information (more detail)

Before Taking

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to or had an adverse reaction to cetirizine.

Before taking cetirizine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions or if you have ever had kidney or liver disease.

Cetirizine is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Cetirizine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use cetirizine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Cetirizine is indicated for chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children 6 months of age and older.

Older adults may need to take a lower than normal dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Cetirizine pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine or add extra doses to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include feeling restless or nervous, and then feeling drowsy.

What should I avoid while using Cetirizine?

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by cetirizine.

Cetirizine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of cetirizine.

Cetirizine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any serious adverse effects or any of these signs of an allergic reaction: chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives); difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using cetirizine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;

  • weakness, tremors (uncontrolled shaking), or sleep problems (insomnia);

  • severe restless feeling, hyperactivity;

  • confusion;

  • problems with vision; or

  • urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious cetirizine side effects may include:

  • dizziness, drowsiness;

  • tired feeling;

  • dry mouth;

  • sore throat, cough;

  • nausea, constipation; or

  • headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

See more: Cetirizine Side Effects

What other drugs will affect Cetirizine?

There may be other drugs that can interact with cetirizine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01.

Popular FAQ

Is Generic Zyrtec Available?
Should cetirizine be taken at bedtime or upon awakening?

More FAQ

Cetirizine - can cetirizine be taken for long periods of time?
Is it OK to take hydroxyzine pamoate and cetirizine at the same time?
What is the difference between Cetirizine HCI and Cetirizine HCL?
How long should someone take ceterizine for allergies at 10mg?
View more FAQ

More about Cetirizine (Cetirizine [ se-tir-a-zeen ])

Dosage information
Cetirizine Side Effects
Patient tips
During pregnancy
Drug images
Side effects
Drug class: Antihistamines

Patient resources

Advanced Reading: Cetirizine (Intravenous)
Cetirizine Capsules and Tablets
Cetirizine Chewable Tablets
Cetirizine Orally Disintegrating Tablets
Cetirizine Injection
Cetirizine Liquid

Related treatment guides

Urticaria
Physical Urticaria
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Allergic Rhinitis
Share this Article
Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions FAQ
Related Drugs
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec
Cerave Anti-Itch
Centrum Adult
Crovalimab
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe
Zepbound Pen
Mylanta One
Uretron Ds
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing
Lidotrode

Other drugs

Name Drug Class Updated
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec Drugs 03-Oct-2024
Cerave Anti-Itch Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Centrum Adult Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Crovalimab Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe Drugs 01-Oct-2024
Zepbound Pen Drugs 30-Sep-2024
Mylanta One Drugs 27-Sep-2024
Uretron Ds Drugs 27-Sep-2024
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Lidotrode Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Libervant Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Moderna Covid-19 Drugs 25-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024

Categories

  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health

About US

Welcome to TheMediTary.Com

Our website provides reliable and up-to-date information on various medical topics. We empower individuals to take charge of their health by simplifying complex medical jargon and providing practical tips and advice. We prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of our users and welcome feedback to improve our services.

Website use data of FDA and other sources

DMCA.com Protection Status Truste Protection Status Trust Mark Protection Status
HONcode logo We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
Quick Link
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Sitemap
  • Care Notes
  • Health Guide
  • Professional
Drugs
  • New Drugs
  • Medical Answers
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Drug Classes
  • Drug Dosage
  • Pill Identifier
  • Consumer Infor
  • Side Effects
  • Inactive Ingredients
  • Pregnancy Warnings
  • Patient Tips
  • Treatments
News
  • Latest News
  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health
Find US
  • Medium
  • Google Site
  • Blogspot
  • API
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Scoop.it
  • Substack
  • Wordpress
  • Wix
  • Behance

© 2025 TheMediTary.Com All rights reserved. Operated by