Uses
What the official label says Cetirizine is used for
The FDA label for Cetirizine states:
Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: Cetirizine hydrochloride is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis due to allergens such as dust mites, animal dander and molds in children 6 to 23 months of age. Symptoms treated effectively include sneezing, rhinorrhea, postnasal discharge, nasal pruritus, ocular pruritus, and tearing. Chronic Urticaria: Cetirizine hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of the uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in children 6 months to 5 years of age. …
Read the label's “Indications and usage” section (verbatim)
Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: Cetirizine hydrochloride is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis due to allergens such as dust mites, animal dander and molds in children 6 to 23 months of age. Symptoms treated effectively include sneezing, rhinorrhea, postnasal discharge, nasal pruritus, ocular pruritus, and tearing. Chronic Urticaria: Cetirizine hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of the uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in children 6 months to 5 years of age. It significantly reduces the occurrence, severity, and duration of hives and significantly reduces pruritus.
Names & forms
Brand names, forms and strengths
Brand names (from RxNorm; not every brand is still sold): Aller-Tec, Alleroff, Quzyttir, Wal Zyr 24 Hour Allergy, Wal-Zyr, Zerviate, Zyrtec.
Generic name: cetirizine · RxNorm ID (RxCUI): 20610
| Form | Strengths listed in RxNorm |
|---|---|
| Chewable Tablet | 2.5 MG, 5 MG, 10 MG |
| Disintegrating Oral Tablet | 10 MG |
| Injection | 10 MG/ML |
| Ophthalmic Solution | 2.4 MG/ML |
| Oral Capsule | 10 MG |
| Oral Solution | 1 MG/ML |
| Oral Tablet | 5 MG, 10 MG |
Strengths are listed so you can recognise a product — not as dosing information. Only your prescriber can decide what is right for you.
Appearance
What Cetirizine looks like
| Strength | Form | Colour | Shape | Size | Imprint | Score | Labeler |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cetirizine hydrochloride 1 mg per mL | solution | white“colorless to slightly yellow” | — | — | — | — | Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. |
| cetirizine hydrochloride 1 mg per mL | solution | yellow“colorless to slightly yellow” | — | — | — | — | Bionpharma Inc. |
From the product data in each manufacturer's label on DailyMed. Many companies make Cetirizine, so your medicine may look different from any shown here. If a pill looks unfamiliar, ask your pharmacist before taking it.
Read the label's “How supplied” section (verbatim)
Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP 1 mg/mL is a clear, colorless solution. Each 5 mL contains 5 mg cetirizine hydrochloride, USP. Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP 1 mg/mL is available as follows: 120 mL amber plastic bottle (NDC 72888-480-01) STORAGE: Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F) excursions permitted to 15°-30°C (59°-86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] ; or Store refrigerated, 2°-8°C (36°-46°F). Manufactured by: Rubicon Research Ltd., Satara, 415004, India. Distributed by: Advagen Pharma Ltd., East Windsor, NJ 08520. Rev. 11/25
Safety
Important warnings for Cetirizine
Contraindications — who should not use it (verbatim)
Cetirizine hydrochloride is contraindicated in those patients with a known hypersensitivity to it or any of its ingredients or hydroxyzine.
Side effects — opening of the label's adverse reactions section
Pediatric studies were conducted with cetirizine hydrochloride. More than 1300 pediatric patients aged 6 to 11 years with more than 900 treated with cetirizine hydrochloride at doses of 1.25 to 10 mg per day were included in controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials conducted in the United States. The duration of treatment ranged from 2 to 12 weeks. Placebo-controlled trials up to 4 weeks duration included 168 pediatric patients aged 2 to 5 years who received cetirizine, the majority of whom received single daily doses of 5 mg. A placebo-controlled trial 18 months in duration included 399 patients aged 12 to 24 months treated with cetirizine (0.25 mg/kg bid), and another placebo- controlled trial of 7 days duration included 42 patients aged 6 to 11 months who were treated with cetirizine (0.25 mg/kg bid). …
This is not a complete list of warnings or side effects. Read the full label and talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. To report a side effect to the FDA, use MedWatch.
Resources
If you were hurt at work
Whether a medicine is right for you is a decision for your prescriber. If you were injured on the job, these educational guides explain the next steps and who can help.
- Injured at work? →What to do after a workplace injury and how workers' comp generally works.
- Prescription home delivery →How mail-order pharmacies can deliver prescriptions to your door.
- Find help →Connect with workers' comp attorneys and doctors who take work-injury cases.
- Pharmacies near you →Search local pharmacies by ZIP code.