Cetirizine Syrup: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Cetirizine Syrup (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) is a second-generation antihistamine used to relieve sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose caused by colds or allergies, as well as hives and related itching. It works by reducing the effects of histamine, a chemical the body releases during an allergic reaction. It is usually taken once daily and is generally less likely to cause drowsiness than older antihistamines.

What is Cetirizine Syrup

Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can cause sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose.

Cetirizine Syrup uses

• Sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or runny nose from colds or allergies
• Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis
• Chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives) and itching
• Physical urticaria
• Allergic asthma symptoms (as studied in mild to moderate asthma)
• Atopic dermatitis

Benefits of Cetirizine Syrup

• Relieves sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, and runny nose caused by allergies
• Provides fast, long-lasting relief of itching from hives
• Usually taken only once a day for up to 24 hours of relief
• Less likely to cause drowsiness than older antihistamines

How Cetirizine Syrup works

Allergy symptoms happen when the body reacts to allergens like pollen, mold, or pet dander by releasing a chemical called histamine, which binds to receptors in the skin and tissues and causes itching, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose. Cetirizine blocks these histamine receptors, which helps prevent or reduce these symptoms, including redness and hives.

Cetirizine Syrup dosage

Take this medicine exactly as directed on the label or as your doctor prescribes; do not use more than recommended or for longer than recommended. It may be taken with or without food. Measure the liquid with a proper dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon; ask your pharmacist for one if you don't have it.

Do not give this medicine to children under 2 years of age unless a doctor advises it, and do not use for more than 14 days in children unless directed by a doctor. Older adults may need a lower dose than usual; follow your doctor's instructions.

If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as scheduled — do not double up doses. Call your doctor if symptoms do not improve, get worse, or if a fever develops.

Available forms and strengths

• Syrup / oral solution
• Tablet
• Chewable tablet
• Capsule
• Orally disintegrating tablet

Side effects of Cetirizine Syrup

Common

• Headache
• Drowsiness/sleepiness
• Dry mouth
• Tiredness/fatigue
• Sore throat, cough
• Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting

Serious

• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Weakness, tremors (uncontrolled shaking), or sleep problems (insomnia)
• Severe restless feeling, hyperactivity
• Confusion
• Problems with vision
• Urinating less than usual or not at all
• Difficulty urinating
• New rash or severe itching after stopping the drug
• Liver problems (inflammation of the liver, yellowing of skin or eyes)
• Signs of allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble swallowing, dizziness, trouble speaking, drooling, or wheezing

Warnings and precautions

• Ask a health professional before using this medicine if you are pregnant. One source states taking cetirizine is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but another states it should not be used during pregnancy unless a doctor advises otherwise. Cetirizine is not recommended if you are breastfeeding, unless a doctor advises otherwise.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. It should not be used in people with severe kidney impairment, and a lower starting dose may be needed for moderate kidney impairment. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease. A lower starting dose is recommended for people with moderate liver impairment, and the medicine should be used with caution in people with existing liver disease.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can increase some side effects such as drowsiness. This medicine can affect thinking or reactions. Be careful driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert until you know how it affects you.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to cetirizine, levocetirizine, hydroxyzine, or any of its ingredients.
• If taking this medicine for hives, get emergency help right away if you have trouble swallowing, dizziness, swelling of the tongue or around the mouth, trouble speaking, drooling, or wheezing. This medicine is not a substitute for an epinephrine injector.
• Do not use this medicine to try to prevent hives from known causes like foods, insect stings, or medicines.
• In rare cases, people have reported severe itching after stopping this medicine following long-term daily use. Contact your healthcare provider if this happens.
• Severe skin reactions with small pustules, sometimes with fever, have been reported rarely; treatment should be stopped and a doctor consulted if this happens.
• Do not combine this medicine with other products that cause sleepiness, such as anti-anxiety medicines, sleep aids, other antihistamines, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, or prescription pain medicines, without talking to your doctor.

Storage

• Store at 15-30°C.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, including hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have a fast, pounding or uneven heartbeat, weakness, tremors, sleep problems, severe restlessness, hyperactivity, confusion, vision problems, or trouble urinating.
• Seek emergency medical attention if you think you or someone you're caring for has taken too much of this medicine, even if there are no symptoms.
• Call your doctor if your hives do not improve after 3 days, last more than 6 weeks, or look unusual, bruised, or blistered, or do not itch.
• Stop use and consult a doctor if symptoms persist, get worse, or if new symptoms appear.

Alternatives

• Zyrtec
• Aller-Tec
• Quzyttir
• Cetirizine-D (including brand Zyrtec-D)