Skip to content

Cetirizine

    Brands

    DEA Class; OTC, Rx

    Common Brand Names; Zyrtec, Zyrtec Allergy, Children’s Zyrtec Allergy, Children’s Zyrtec Hives Relief, PediaCare Children’s 24 Hour Allergy, Aller-Tec, Wal-Zyr, Quzyttir, Zerviate

    • Antihistamines, 2nd Generation

    Piperazine antihistamine; active metabolite of hydroxyzine; considered “low-sedating”
    Used orally for allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and pediatric patients; intravenous injection used for acute urticaria
    Ophthalmic solution used for ocular pruritus due to allergic conjunctivitis

    Perennial and seasonal allergic and vasomotor rhinitis; relief of symptoms from colds, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylactic reactions, pruritus, allergic conjunctivitis

    Indicated for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis

    Indicated for acute urticaria

    Hypersensitivity to cetirizine hydrochloride or any of its ingredients, levocetirizine, or hydroxyzine

    • Somnolence (2-14%)
    • Headache (11-14%)
    • 1-10%
    • Fatigue (5.9%)
    • Dry mouth (5%)
    • Dizziness (2%)
    • Diarrhea (2-3%)
    • Malaise (4%)
    • Bronchospasm (2-3%)
    • Vomiting (2-3%)
    • Epistaxis (2-4%)
    • Stomach pain
    • Drowsiness
    • Angioedema
    • Fussiness
    • Hallucinations
    • Hypotension
    • Tremor
    • Tongue discoloration

    Avoid alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers, due to increased risk of drowsiness

    May cause CNS depression; avoid activities requiring mental alertness until accustomed to medication

    Use caution in hepatic and renal impairment

    The elderly may be more sensitive to adverse effects

    There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women

    Cetirizine has been reported to be present in human breast milk

    Adults

    10 mg/day PO; 10 mg/day IV. 2 drops/day per affected eye for ophthalmic solution.

    Geriatric

    Less than 77 years: 10 mg/day PO; 10 mg/day IV. 2 drops/day per affected eye for ophthalmic solution.
    77 years and older: 5 mg/day PO; 10 mg/day IV. 2 drops/day per affected eye for ophthalmic solution.

    Adolescents

    10 mg/day PO; 10 mg/day IV. 2 drops/day per affected eye for ophthalmic solution.

    Children

    6 years and older: 10 mg/day PO; 10 mg/day IV. 2 drops/day per affected eye for ophthalmic solution.
    3 to 5 years: 5 mg/day PO; 2.5 mg/day IV. 2 drops/day per affected eye for ophthalmic solution.
    2 years: 5 mg/day PO (FDA-approved); 0.25 mg/kg/dose PO twice daily has been used off-label for atopic dermatitis; 2.5 mg/day IV. 2 drops/day per affected eye for ophthalmic solution.
    1 year: 5 mg/day PO (FDA-approved); 0.25 mg/kg/dose PO twice daily has been used off-label for atopic dermatitis; 2.5 mg/day IV. Safety and efficacy not established for ophthalmic solution.

    Infants

    6 months and older: 2.5 mg/day PO; 2.5 mg/day IV. Safety and efficacy not established for ophthalmic solution.
    Younger than 6 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Neonates

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Cetirizine Hydrochloride

    tablet

    • 5mg (generic, Zyrtec)
    • 10mg (generic, Zyrtec)

    tablet, oral-disintegrating

    • 10mg (Zyrtec Allergy)

    tablet, chewable

    • 5mg (generic, Zyrtec)
    • 10mg (generic, Zyrtec)

    syrup

    • 5mg/5mL (generic)

    solution

    • 5mg/5mL (generic)

    injectable solution

    • 10mg/mL (Quzyttir)

    ophthalmic solution

    • 0.24%