Drug reference

About Cetirizine

Cetirizine is classified as antihistamine. Brand names associated with this community include Zyrtec.

The label displayed here is for Zyrtec Allergy Cetirizine HCl. Other brands or formulations may have different approved uses, doses and safety information; their names are included for navigation, not to imply interchangeability.

Source retrieved 2026-10-02 · DailyMed publication Sep 02, 2026 · View current label on DailyMed

Approved uses in this label

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

Dosage and administration — label text

adults and children 6 years and over one 10 mg capsule once daily; do not take more than one 10 mg capsule in 24 hours. A 5 mg product may be appropriate for less severe symptoms adults 65 years and over ask a doctor children under 6 years of age ask a doctor consumers with liver or kidney disease ask a doctor

Warnings

Cetirizine HCl 10 mg Antihistamine

Active ingredient

butylated hydroxytoluene, gelatin, glycerin, pharmaceutical ink, polyethylene glycol 400, purified water, sodium hydroxide, sorbitan, sorbitol

Purpose

Antihistamine

Child safety

In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. (1-800-222-1222)

While using this medicine

• drowsiness may occur • avoid alcoholic drinks • alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness • be careful when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery

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.

Ask a doctor before use

liver or kidney disease. Your doctor should determine if you need a different dose.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist

taking tranquilizers or sedatives.

Official, manufacturer and product resources

DailyMed: Zyrtec Allergy Cetirizine HCl — complete product labelStructured product labeling · label set 59cef432-41ac-768c-e063-6294a90a38fa · version 1
FDA application ANDA213105Approval history and regulatory documents. Availability varies by application type.
Other labels and formulations on DailyMedSearch results may include combination products. Check the active ingredients and route.

Research literature

Research references are provided for context. A paper mentioning a drug does not establish that it is suitable for a particular patient.

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Encyclopedia context

Cetirizine is a second-generation peripherally selective antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever), dermatitis, urticaria (hives), and runny nose. It is taken by mouth. Effects generally begin within thirty minutes and last for about a day. The degree of benefit is similar to other antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, which is a first-generation antihistamine. Common side effects include sleepiness, dry mouth, headache, and abdominal pain. The degree of sleepiness that occurs is generally less than with first-generation antihistamines because second-generation antihistamines are more selective for the H1 receptor. Compared to other second-generation antihistamines, cetirizine can cause drowsiness. Among second-generation antihistamines, cetirizine is more likely than fexofenadine and loratadine to cause drowsiness, but cetirizine shows superior efficacy in the histamine induced wheal and flare paradigm and tends to produce slightly greater clinical symptom relief than fexofenadine, which in turn tends to produce greater symptom relief than loratadine, while loratadine was unable to show significant superiority over placebo. Use in pregnancy appears safe, but use during breastfeeding is not recommended. The medication works by blocking histamine H1 receptors, mostly outside the brain. Cetirizine can be used for paediatric patients. The main side effect to be cautious about is somnolence. It was patented in 1983 by UCB and came into medical use in 1987. Cetirizine is a therapeutic alternative on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a generic medication. In 2023, it was the 55th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 11 million prescriptions.

From Wikipedia: Cetirizine. Text reused under CC BY-SA 4.0; formatting adapted. Contributor history. Encyclopedia material is not prescribing guidance.

News and media coverage

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About this record

This reference combines structured label data, bibliographic references and attributed encyclopedia material. It has not been independently reviewed by a clinician. It is not an exhaustive collection of every source or a live safety-alert service.

DrugChat retrieves label text from openFDA or DailyMed and links to the original DailyMed record. Imported text may lose tables or formatting; always check the complete original label. A missing section means it was not supplied in this record, not that the risk does not exist.

Retrieved 2026-10-02. About openFDA drug labels. Editorial and source policy.

Cetirizine drug information