Cetirizine

Generic name: cetirizine hydrochloride · Brand names: Zyrtec, Aller-Tec, Alleroff

Quick facts

Drug class
Section
Purpose (Drug Facts)
Source
DailyMed Marksans label; MedlinePlus: 'Cetirizine is in a class of medications called antihistamines.'
Source text (exact source wording)
Purpose: Antihistamine
Forms and strengths
Section
Title / Active ingredient (in each tablet)
Source text (exact source wording)
Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP, 5 mg and 10 mg
Generic available
Value
Yes: the label is a generic (Marketing Category ANDA, ANDA078933)
Source
DailyMed Marksans label, Marketing Information
Common use one line
Relieves hay fever and other upper respiratory allergy symptoms.

What it is used for

Cetirizine temporarily relieves runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and itching of the nose or throat caused by hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies.
MedlinePlus also lists hives as a use.
Section
Uses
Source text (exact source wording)
temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: runny nose sneezing itchy, watery eyes itching of the nose or throat
Medlineplus source text (exact source wording)
Cetirizine is also used to treat urticaria (hives; itchy raised red bumps on skin).

How it works

MedlinePlus says it blocks histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergy symptoms.
Medlineplus source text (exact source wording)
It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.

Dosage: adults

Adults and children 6 years and over take one 10 mg tablet once daily and no more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours. With the 5 mg tablet the label says 1 tablet (5 mg) or 2 tablets (10 mg) once daily depending on how bad symptoms are, with no more than 2 tablets (10 mg) in 24 hours.
Section
Directions
Source text (exact source wording)
For 5 mg: adults and children 6 years and over 1 tablet (5 mg) or 2 tablets (10 mg) once daily depending upon severity of symptoms; do not take more than 2 tablets (10 mg) in 24 hours. For 10 mg: adults and children 6 years and over one 10 mg tablet once daily; do not take more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours. A 5 mg product may be appropriate for less severe symptoms.

Dosage: children

For children under 6 years of age, ask a doctor.
Section
Directions
Source text (exact source wording)
children under 6 years of age ask a doctor

Dosage adjustments

Kidney
If you have liver or kidney disease, ask a doctor.
Section
Directions
Source text (exact source wording)
consumers with liver or kidney disease ask a doctor
Liver
If you have liver or kidney disease, ask a doctor before use because you may need a different dose.
Section
Directions; Warnings
Source text (exact source wording)
consumers with liver or kidney disease ask a doctor. Ask a doctor before use if you have liver or kidney disease. Your doctor should determine if you need a different dose.
Elderly
Adults 65 years and over: with the 5 mg product take 1 tablet (5 mg) once daily and no more than 1 tablet (5 mg) in 24 hours. With the 10 mg product, ask a doctor.
Section
Directions
Source text (exact source wording)
adults 65 years and over 1 tablet (5 mg) once daily; do not take more than 1 tablet (5 mg) in 24 hours. [5 mg product] adults 65 years and over ask a doctor [10 mg product]

Missed dose

MedlinePlus says take a missed dose when you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose, and do not double up.
Medlineplus source text (exact source wording)
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Overdose

If you take too much, get medical help or contact Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222.
MedlinePlus lists restlessness, irritability and drowsiness as possible overdose symptoms.
Section
Warnings (overdose statement)
Source text (exact source wording)
In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. (1-800-222-1222)
Medlineplus source text (exact source wording)
Symptoms of overdose may include: restlessness irritability drowsiness

Storage

Store between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Do not use if the foil seal under the cap is broken or missing. This is Marksans-specific packaging wording.
Section
Other information
Source text (exact source wording)
•store between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) •do not use if foil seal under cap is broken or missing
Medlineplus source text (exact source wording)
Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Boxed warning

This OTC label has no boxed warning.
Source text (exact source wording)
NONE

Contraindications

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product, any of its ingredients, or an antihistamine containing hydroxyzine.
Section
Warnings (Do not use)
Source text (exact source wording)
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients or to an antihistamine containing hydroxyzine.

Warnings and precautions

Ask a doctor before use if you have liver or kidney disease.
Heading
Ask a doctor before use
Source text (exact source wording)
Ask a doctor before use if you have liver or kidney disease. Your doctor should determine if you need a different dose.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take tranquilizers or sedatives.
Heading
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use
Source text (exact source wording)
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking tranquilizers or sedatives.
Drowsiness may occur. Avoid alcoholic drinks. Be careful when driving or operating machinery. In rare cases you may have itching after stopping cetirizine; consult your healthcare provider if this happens.
Heading
When using this product
Source text (exact source wording)
drowsiness may occur avoid alcoholic drinks alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness be careful when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery in rare cases, you may experience itching after stopping cetirizine. Consult your healthcare provider if this happens.
Stop use and ask a doctor if an allergic reaction occurs, and seek medical help right away.
Heading
Stop use and ask a doctor
Source text (exact source wording)
Stop use and ask a doctor if an allergic reaction to this product occurs. Seek medical help right away.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Breast-feeding is not recommended. If pregnant, ask a health professional before use.
Section
If pregnant or breast-feeding
Source text (exact source wording)
if breast-feeding: not recommended if pregnant: ask a health professional before use.

Side effects

Common
The label says drowsiness may occur.
MedlinePlus lists drowsiness, excessive tiredness and dry mouth as side effects to report if severe or persistent.
Section
When using this product
Medlineplus source text (exact source wording)
drowsiness excessive tiredness dry mouth
Serious
Get medical help for an allergic reaction. MedlinePlus says to call your doctor right away for rash, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or itching that starts a few days after stopping after long-term use.
Label source text (exact source wording)
Stop use and ask a doctor if an allergic reaction to this product occurs. Seek medical help right away.
Medlineplus source text (exact source wording)
rash, difficulty breathing or swallowing itching that occurs a few days after stopping this medication after taking for a long time (months to years)

Interactions

Drugs
Sedatives and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first.
Name
Tranquilizers and sedatives
Section
Warnings
Source text (exact source wording)
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking tranquilizers or sedatives. alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness
Food and alcohol
Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Name
Alcohol
Section
Warnings (When using this product)
Source text (exact source wording)
avoid alcoholic drinks
MedlinePlus says it can be taken with or without food.
Name
Food
Section
MedlinePlus
Source text (exact source wording)
Take once a day with or without food.

Patient tips

Take once a day with or without food, at around the same time every day. Severe itching can start within a few days after stopping, after months or years of regular use. For hives, stop and call your doctor if they do not improve during the first 3 days or last longer than 6 weeks.
Source
MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a623043.html
Medlineplus source text (exact source wording)
Take once a day with or without food. Take cetirizine at around the same time every day. you could develop severe itching within a few days after you stop taking cetirizine. This can happen after you have been taking regularly for a few months or years. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about risks associated with long-term use of cetirizine products. Stop taking cetirizine and call your doctor if your hives do not improve during the first 3 days of your treatment or if your hives last longer than 6 weeks.

Alternatives

Class
antihistamine
Class source
DailyMed Marksans label Purpose: Antihistamine; MedlinePlus: 'Cetirizine is in a class of medications called antihistamines.'
Note
No recommendation made.

Frequently asked questions

Question
What is cetirizine used for?
Answer
It temporarily relieves runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and itching of the nose or throat due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies.
Source section
Uses
Source
DailyMed Marksans label
Question
How much cetirizine can I take in a day?
Answer
For the 10 mg tablet, adults and children 6 years and over take one tablet once daily and no more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours. Adults 65 years and over should ask a doctor for the 10 mg product.
Source section
Directions
Source
DailyMed Marksans label
Question
Can I take cetirizine with or without food?
Answer
Yes, MedlinePlus says to take it once a day with or without food.
Source section
How should this medicine be used?
Source
MedlinePlus
Question
Can I drink alcohol with cetirizine?
Answer
The label says to avoid alcoholic drinks. Alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness.
Source section
Warnings
Source
DailyMed Marksans label
Question
Will it make me drowsy?
Answer
Drowsiness may occur. Be careful when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery.
Source section
Warnings
Source
DailyMed Marksans label
Question
Can I use cetirizine while pregnant or breast-feeding?
Answer
If breast-feeding, it is not recommended. If pregnant, ask a health professional before use.
Source section
If pregnant or breast-feeding
Source
DailyMed Marksans label
Question
What if I miss a dose?
Answer
MedlinePlus says take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take a double dose.
Source section
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Source
MedlinePlus
Question
Can stopping cetirizine cause itching?
Answer
Yes. In rare cases you may have itching after stopping cetirizine. Consult your healthcare provider if this happens.
Source section
Warnings
Source
DailyMed Marksans label

Sources

Information is taken from the cited sources and is for general reference only. It is not medical advice. Report side effects to FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088. For a poison emergency call 1-800-222-1222. See prices for this drug