Cetirizine

💊 What is Cetirizine used for?

• •The label says this liquid is used to relieve symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis (year-round allergies to things such as dust mites, animal dander, and molds) in children 6 to 23 months old. Symptoms it treats include sneezing, runny nose, postnasal drip, nasal itching, itchy eyes, and tearing. It is also used for the skin signs of chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives) in children 6 months to 5 years old, where it reduces how often hives occur, how severe they are, how long they last, and itching.

How it works

The label describes cetirizine as an orally active and selective H1-receptor antagonist. It does not describe its mechanism in more detail.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says this oral solution can be taken without regard to food. It is taken by mouth. The label gives age-based instructions for how often it is given, and says the dose is adjusted by age. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist and the label's measuring directions.

Comes as

• •Cetirizine hydrochloride oral solution, USP 1 mg/mL (5 mg per 5 mL), clear and colorless, in a 120 mL amber plastic bottle

⚠️ Cetirizine side effects

🛑 Who should not take Cetirizine, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You or your child have a known allergy (hypersensitivity) to cetirizine or any of its ingredients.
• 🚨You or your child have a known allergy to hydroxyzine.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •The label says cetirizine can cause sleepiness, so use caution when driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery.
• •The label says to avoid using cetirizine together with alcohol or other CNS depressants, because alertness may be reduced further and mental performance may be impaired more.
• •Tell your prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines, especially theophylline, because the label describes a small reduction in cetirizine clearance with theophylline.

🔀 Cetirizine with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •The label says no clinically significant drug interactions have been found with low-dose theophylline, azithromycin, pseudoephedrine, ketoconazole, or erythromycin.
• •The label says a larger theophylline dose could have a greater effect on cetirizine clearance than the smaller dose studied.
• •Alcohol and other CNS depressants: the label says to avoid using them with cetirizine.

Alcohol and food

The label says this oral solution can be taken without regard to food. The label also says to avoid alcohol while taking cetirizine, because it may add to reduced alertness.

🤰 Cetirizine in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label does not say.

Breastfeeding

The label does not say.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F), with excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). The label also allows storage refrigerated at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F).

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says overdose has been reported. One adult who took 150 mg was sleepy but had no other clinical signs or abnormal blood chemistry or blood results. An 18-month-old who took about 180 mg was restless and irritable at first, followed by drowsiness. The label says treatment should be symptomatic or supportive, there is no known specific antidote, and dialysis is not effective unless a dialyzable agent was also taken.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Cetirizine

• Which age group is this liquid meant for, and is it the right form for my child?
• How should I measure the liquid, and how often should it be given?
• Can this medicine be taken with or without food?
• Could this medicine make my child sleepy, and should I avoid driving or other risky activities?
• What should I watch for if I stop this medicine, such as itching or hives returning?
• Are any of my other medicines, including theophylline or alcohol, a concern with cetirizine?

❓ Cetirizine: frequently asked questions