cetirizine
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is an antihistamine. It's used for relief of allergy symptoms, such as runny nose or watery eyes, in adults and children. Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is also a safe option for people who are pregnant. This medication is available in different formulations, including tablets and liquid solutions. Typically, cetirizine (Zyrtec) is taken by mouth once per day. The most common side effect of cetirizine (Zyrtec) is sleepiness. But it's less likely to make you drowsy compared to some other antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
What is Cetirizine (Zyrtec)?
What is Cetirizine (Zyrtec) used for?
- Short-term relief of allergy symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, itching of the nose or throat)
- Relief of itchiness due to chronic (long-term) hives in children ages 6 months to under 6 years old - certain liquid solutions only
How Cetirizine (Zyrtec) works
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is a second-generation antihistamine. It blocks histamine, a natural chemical in your body that can cause allergy symptoms like itchiness, itchy eyes, or runny nose. By blocking histamine, cetirizine (Zyrtec) helps relieve allergy symptoms.
Drug facts
Side effects of Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
People 12 years of age and older:
- Sleepiness (14%)
- Tiredness (6%)
- Dry mouth (5%)
Children age 6 to under 12 years:
- Headache (11-14%)
- Sore throat (3-6%)
- Stomach pain (4-6%)
- Cough (3-4%)
- Sleepiness (2-4%)
Less Common Side Effects
People 12 years of age and older:
- Sore throat
- Dizziness
Children age 6 to under 12 years:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nose bleed
- Difficulty breathing
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Accidentally taking too much medication: fast heartbeat, flushing, extreme sleepiness, hallucinations, changes in vision, irritability in children
More on Cetirizine (Zyrtec) side effects
The following Cetirizine (Zyrtec) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Pros
- First-choice option for relieving allergy symptoms
- Taken once per day
- Available in several formulations (e.g., pills, chewable tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, liquids)
- Safe to take while pregnant
Cons
- Can cause you to feel sleepy
- Higher risk of side effects in people with liver or kidney problems
- Pills can't be used in children younger than 6 years.
Pharmacist tips for Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- You can take cetirizine (Zyrtec) only when you need it if you have allergy symptoms once in a while. But if you have allergy symptoms on a daily basis, taking it regularly according to the manufacturer's directions might give you the most relief.
- Take cetirizine (Zyrtec) with or without food. If it hurts your stomach, try taking it with food to help.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking cetirizine (Zyrtec) because this combination raises your risk of sleepiness and dizziness. Also, don't drive until you know how this medication affects you.
- For the liquid form: Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure your dose of cetirizine (Zyrtec). Ask your pharmacy to provide you with one if the product doesn't include it in its packaging or if you need extras. Don't use household spoons because they might not be accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.
- For the orally disintegrating tablet: Place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve in your mouth. You can take it with or without water.
- For the chewable tablet: Chew or crush the tablets before swallowing; don't swallow the tablets whole. You don't need to eat or drink anything when you take the medication.
- Don't start any new medications while taking cetirizine (Zyrtec), especially other antihistamines or sleep medications, without talking to your healthcare team first. Doing so can raise your risk of taking too much medication (overdose) and lead to severe side effects, including seizures, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), and even death.
- Store cetirizine (Zyrtec) up and away from children and pets so they're less likely to reach and accidentally take the medication. If you think your child accidentally took the medication, call a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.
Common questions about Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
It takes about 20 to 60 minutes for cetirizine (Zyrtec) to start working and lasts all day.
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is typically taken just once a day because the effects of a single dose should last 24 hours. Don't take it twice a day unless a healthcare professional specifically told you to do so.
Yes, cetirizine (Zyrtec) can make you feel drowsy or tired. But this medication isn't as likely to cause drowsiness as some other antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). This is because cetirizine (Zyrtec) is a second-generation antihistamine that isn't as likely to cross into the brain compared to first-generation antihistamines. Let your primary care provider or pharmacist know if cetirizine (Zyrtec) is making you too drowsy to go about your day. They might ask you to consider other options.
No, high blood pressure isn't a known side effect of cetirizine (Zyrtec) alone. But cetirizine is often found in many over-the-counter combination products. Some of these combination products have other medications that can raise your blood pressure, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) (e.g., Zyrtec-D (cetirizine / pseudoephedrine). Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure if a particular cetirizine product has other ingredients that might raise blood pressure.
No, you should avoid taking cetirizine (Zyrtec) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) together, unless instructed by your primary care provider. They're both antihistamines and taking them together raises your risk of side effects, such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. If you want to switch from cetirizine (Zyrtec) to diphenhydramine (Benadryl), start diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at least 24 hours after your last cetirizine (Zyrtec) dose.
In general, you can take pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) with cetirizine (Zyrtec) if you're also experiencing sinus or nasal congestion. In fact, there's a combination product called Zyrtec-D that combines both cetirizine and pseudoephedrine in a single pill for convenience. But pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) isn't safe for everyone, especially for people who've certain medical conditions, like high blood pressure or heart problems. Check in with your primary care provider to make sure it's safe for you to take both pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and cetirizine (Zyrtec).
Based on limited studies, antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) don't appear to cause serious harm to breastfed babies. If you're breastfeeding, discuss with your gynecologist about the risks and benefits of using cetirizine (Zyrtec) to make sure it's safe for you and your baby.
Yes, certain liquid prescription cetirizine (Zyrtec) is FDA-approved to treat long-term (chronic) hives. Certain OTC cetirizine (Zyrtec) liquid solution is labeled to also treat hives. If you have had hives in the past, ask your primary care provider to see if cetirizine (Zyrtec) is a good option for you.
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Risks and warnings for Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Sleepiness
- Risk factors: Drinking alcohol while taking cetirizine (Zyrtec) | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness | Age 65 and older
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) can make you sleepy, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. This side effect might be more likely to happen or more intense if you're over 65 years old, drink alcohol while taking cetirizine (Zyrtec), or take other medications that also cause sleepiness (e.g., opioids, certain anxiety medications, sleep medications). Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Accidentally taking too much medication
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and other antihistamines can be found in many over-the-counter products. Taking too much cetirizine (Zyrtec) or using more than one medication containing an antihistamine (including products used on the skin) can lead to an accidental overdose and cause serious side effects, such as seizures, hallucinations, or even death.
To prevent an accidental overdose, read package labels carefully. If you're not sure if a product has an antihistamine, ask your pharmacist. Don't start any new medications while taking cetirizine (Zyrtec) without talking to your healthcare team first. If you think you or your loved one has taken too much medication, get medical help right away or contact a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
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Cetirizine (Zyrtec) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 hour of 10mg | 30 tablets | $3.09 | $0.10 |
Typical dosage for Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
This medication comes in many different formulations, like tablets, chewable tablets, capsules, orally disintegrating tablets, and oral liquids. Depending on the manufacturer and formulation, your medication can have different amounts of cetirizine in each dose and age cut-offs for use.
The directions can be different depending on the product you have. Be sure to check the medication box for specific instructions. In general:
-
Pills (including chewable and orally disintegrating tablets): The tablets and capsules are swallowed whole, the chewable tablets are chewed, and the orally disintegrating tablets are dissolved on your tongue.
- Ages under 6 years: Ask your child's pediatrician.
- Ages 6 to under 65 years: The typical dose is 5 mg or 10 mg once per day, depending on how severe your allergy symptoms are. The maximum dose is 10 mg per day.
- Ages 65 years and older: Ask your primary care provider.
-
Oral liquids
- Ages under 2 years of age: Ask your child's pediatrician.
- Ages 2 to under 6 years: The typical dose is 2.5 mL (2.5 mg) by mouth once per day. If needed, the dose can be raised to 5 mL (5 mg) once per day or 2.5 mL (2.5 mg) twice per day. The maximum dose is 5 mL (5 mg) per day.
- Ages 6 to under 65 years: The typical dose is 5 mL (5 mg) or 10 mL (10 mg) by mouth once per day, depending on how severe your allergy symptoms are. The maximum dose is 10 mL (10 mg) per day.
- Ages 65 years and older: The typical dose is 5 mL (5 mg) by mouth once per day. The maximum dose is 5 mL (5 mg) per day.
Your dose might differ if you have liver or kidney problems.
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Cetirizine (Zyrtec) reviews
GoodRx has partnered with to provide reviews on the different aspects of Cetirizine (Zyrtec).
Effectiveness
Learn more about the effectiveness of Cetirizine (Zyrtec) based on real life experiences.
Overall Rating
Based on 173 people taking this medication
3
Effectiveness by condition:
seasonal allergy88 reviews
3.7
allergic rhinitis42 reviews
3.7
perennial allergy27 reviews
3.6
idiopathic angioedema8 reviews
2.3
chronic idiopathic hives8 reviews
1.7
Severity of side effects
Based on 344 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Top side effects
Drowsiness
6%
Dry mouth
5%
Sleepiness
4%
Excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence)
2%
Fatigue
1%
Reasons people stopped taking Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Based on 258 people who have taken this medication
Did not seem to work
32%
Other
21%
Doctor's advice
14%
Side effects too severe
12%
Course of treatment ended
11%
Expense
9%
Personal research
3%
Change in health plan coverage
2%
How long people take Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Based on 878 people who have taken this medication
0%
50%
100%
How much does Cetirizine (Zyrtec) cost?
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Cetirizine (Zyrtec) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to another antihistamine called hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
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