Classes
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
Description
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
Indications
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
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to cetirizine hydrochloride or any of its ingredients, levocetirizine, or hydroxyzine
Adverse Effects
- 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
Warnings
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
Pregnancy and Lactation
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women
Cetirizine has been reported to be present in human breast milk
Maximum Dosage
10 mg/day PO; 10 mg/day IV. 2 drops/day per affected eye for ophthalmic solution.
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.
10 mg/day PO; 10 mg/day IV. 2 drops/day per affected eye for ophthalmic solution.
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.
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.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
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%
