Cetirizine is also used to treat itching and swelling caused by chronic hives.
Manufactured by McNeil-PPC, Inc, Zyrtec comes in the form of tablets, chewable tablets, and syrup.
Zyrtec was a prescription medication until 2007 when The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it as an OTC medication.
Following the approval, Zyrtec was reportedly the highest-grossing new non-food product of 2008 in the United States.
Zyrtec-D
Zyrtec-D is a combination of the main ingredient of Zyrtec (cetirizine) with the decongestant pseudoephedrine and is approved to treat cold or allergy symptoms, including:Side effects of Zyrtec-D include:
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Tinnitus
Zyrtec-D Dosing and Pregnancy
Adults and children 12 years and over should take 1 tablet of Zyrtec-D every 12 hours and not more than 2 tablets over a 24-hour period.The effects of Zyrtec-D use on an unborn baby are not known. However, the active ingredients can pass into breast milk.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during your treatment, talk to your doctor before taking Zyrtec-D.
Zyrtec vs. Claritin
Zyrtec and Claritin, which are both over-the-counter allergy medications (no prescription is needed to use them), are often confused with one another and some people even use them interchangeably.Although they have similar effects for those who use them, each of these drugs has different ingredients (cetirizine for Zyrtec and loratadine for Claritin), and may cause different side effects in certain people.
If you are taking other medications, or if you have liver or kidney problems, talk to your doctor before taking either Zyrtec or Claritin.
Zyrtec for Dogs
Zyrtec is sometimes used to treat dermatitis in dogs, under the supervision of a veterinarian, although it has not been approved for this use.Dermatitis causes a dog’s skin to become itchy.
Dosing of Zyrtec in dogs is typically based on weight.
It has been shown to be safe and effective for use in dogs; however, it should only be used as recommended by a veterinarian as the drug can be harmful to pets with kidney or liver problems, or those who are pregnant or nursing.
In addition, the decongestant formulation of the drug, Zyrtec-D, also contains pseudoepehedrine, which is dangerous for dogs. Therefore, it should not be used.
Finally, dogs or cats with hypersensitivity to antihistamines should not be given Zyrtec.
Talk with your veterinarian before treating your dog’s allergies with Zyrtec.
Zyrtec Coupons/Rebates
As with many prescription medications, the manufacturer (in this case, McNeil) offers consumers who require treatment for allergies financial incentives to choose their specific product.Such programs can help make treatment more affordable, and coupons are available to receive discounts off the retail purchase price for Zyrtec.
However, the decision on which medication to use should be based on your specific symptoms and needs, and not on available financial incentives. Talk to your doctor before starting treatment with Zyrtec.
Zyrtec Warnings
Although Zyrtec is used to treat allergies, Consumer Affairs reports that some people have complained that they experience irritating itching all over their body when they stop taking Zyrtec.However, the label does not include a warning regarding itching.
Zyrtec may impair your thinking or reactions, so be careful when driving or engaging in other activities that require you to be alert.
Since cetirizine can make you sleepy, tell your doctor if you use other medicines that make you sleepy, such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of cetirizine.
If you get laboratory tests like allergy skin testing, make sure you tell the person taking the test and your doctor that you take Zyrtec because it could cause inaccurate test results.
Pregnancy and Zyrtec
Zyrtec is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby.However, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking Zyrtec.
Do not use Zyrtec if you are breastfeeding a baby. Zyrtec can pass into breast milk and may harm the baby.
Zyrtec Side Effects
- Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
- Weakness, tremors, or sleep problems
- Severe restless feeling, hyperactivity
- Confusion
- Problems with vision
- Urinating less than usual or not at all
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Tired feeling
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Headache
Allergic Reaction to Zyrtec
Before taking cetirizine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to hydroxyzine or levocetirizine, or if you have any other allergies because cetirizine may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.Get emergency medical help if you take Zyrtec and have signs of an allergic reaction including hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Zyrtec Interactions
Zyrtec and Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of cetirizine.Zyrtec and Drug Interactions
Many drugs can interact with Zyrtec.Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The followingmedications are known to have significant interactions with cetirizine oral:
- Amphadase, Hydase, Vitrase and Wydase (hyaluronidase (ovine))
- Bosulif (bosutinib)
- Iclusig (ponatinib)
- Juxtapid (lomitapide)
- Kaletra (lopinavir-ritonavirl)
- Latudal (lurasidone)
- Nardil (phenelzine)
- Onfi (clobazam)
- Norvir (ritonavir)
- Xalkori (crizotinib)
- Zelboraf (vemurafenib)
Zyrtec Dosage
It's available as 5 milligrams (mg) and 10 mg tablets, 1 mg/mL syrup, and 5 mg and 10 mg chewable tablets, which can be taken with or without water and without regard to food consumption.
Adults and children 12 years and older are recommended an initial dose of 5 mg or 10 mg per day, depending on how severe their symptoms are.
Zyrtec in Children
The following are recommended doses of Zyrtec for children, but talk to your pediatrician about correct dosage for your child.6 to 11 years old: The recommended initial dose of Zyrtec is 5 mg or 10 mg once daily depending on how severe their symptoms are.
2 to 5 years old: The recommended initial dose of Zyrtec is 2.5 mg (½ teaspoon) syrup once daily. The dosage in this age group can be increased to a maximum dose of 5 mg per day given as 1 teaspoon syrup once a day or one ½ teaspoon syrup given every 12 hours, or one 5 mg chewable tablet once a day.
6 months to 2 years old: Syrup is recommended for children under 2 years old. The recommended dose of Zyrtec syrup in children 6 months to 23 months of age is 2.5 mg (½ teaspoon) once daily. The dose in children 12 to 23 months of age can be increased to a maximum dose of 5 mg per day, given as ½ teaspoon (2.5 mg) every 12 hours.
Zyrtec in People with Renal and Hepatic Impairment
For people 12 years of age and older with decreased renal (kidney) function who are on kidney dialysis or who have hepatic (liver) problems, 5 mg once daily is recommended.Children 6 to 11 years old with impaired kidney or liver function should use the lower recommended dose.
Children under 6 years old with impaired kidney or liver function should not take Zyrtec.
Zyrtec in Geriatric Patients
For people 77 years and older, 5 mg once daily is recommended.Zyrtec Overdose
If you or someone you know takes too much Zyrtec, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.Symptoms of overdose may include severe drowsiness.
Children may display mood changes, such as restlessness and irritability before drowsiness.
Missed Dose of Zyrtec
If you miss a dose of Zyrtec, take it as soon as you remember.However, if it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.
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