Zyrtec Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Zyrtec Tablet contains cetirizine, an antihistamine medicine. It is used to relieve allergy and cold symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. It works by blocking histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction. It is available in tablet and other forms with specific dosing guidance based on age.

What is Zyrtec Tablet

Zyrtec is an antihistamine medicine that contains cetirizine. It is used to relieve allergy and cold symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Zyrtec Tablet uses

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Itching of the nose or throat
• Seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Perennial allergic rhinitis
• Skin allergies
• Urticaria (hives)
• Allergy-induced cough
• Itching and swelling caused by chronic hives

Benefits of Zyrtec Tablet

• Provides 24-hour relief from allergy symptoms
• Starts working within the first hour after taking it
• Relieves indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms caused by dust, pet dander, and pollen

How Zyrtec Tablet works

Zyrtec blocks the effects of histamine, a chemical your body releases during an allergic reaction, which reduces allergy symptoms.

Zyrtec Tablet dosage

This medicine can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not crush or chew it. Take it at the same time each day for best results. Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours.

Adults 65 years and over should ask a doctor before use. Children under 6 years of age should ask a doctor before use. People with liver or kidney disease should ask a doctor before use. If a dose is missed and the medicine is taken on a schedule, skip the missed dose; do not take two doses at once.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Liquid gels (10 mg Cetirizine HCl)
• Chewable tablet (10 mg Cetirizine HCl)
• Orally disintegrating tablet
• Liquid/syrup

Side effects of Zyrtec Tablet

Common

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Cough, drowsiness, tiredness
• Headache, dizziness, feeling light-headed
• Feeling hot, sweating
• Numbness, tingling, burning pain
• Altered sense of taste
• Upset stomach, constipation
• Nosebleed, dry mouth, sore throat

Serious

• Increased heart rate
• Skin rash or itching
• Difficulty in urination
• Allergic reactions such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients, or to an antihistamine containing hydroxyzine.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking tranquilizers or sedatives.
• In rare cases, you may feel itching after stopping this medicine; tell your healthcare provider if this happens.
• Rarely, people have reported severe itching when stopping this medicine after long-term daily use of at least a few months or years.
• Do not use this medicine to try to prevent hives from a known cause, such as foods, insect stings, medicines, or latex; it will not prevent hives or an allergic skin reaction from happening.
• Avoid this medicine if you have severe kidney impairment or are a child under 6 years old.
• If you are pregnant, ask a health professional before using this medicine. Breastfeeding while using this medicine is not recommended.
•  If you have kidney disease, ask a doctor before use since your dose may need to be different. If you have liver disease, ask a doctor before use since your dose may need to be different.
•  Avoid alcohol while using this medicine, as it may increase drowsiness.
•  This medicine may cause drowsiness, so be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F)
• Do not use if foil inner seal imprinted with "Sealed For Your Safety" is broken or missing
• Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light
• Protect from light, heat, and moisture
• Keep out of reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Stop use and ask a doctor if you have an allergic reaction to this product; seek medical help right away.
• Get emergency help right away if you have hives along with trouble swallowing, dizziness or loss of consciousness, swelling of the tongue or mouth, trouble speaking, drooling, or wheezing.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, if your hives do not improve after 3 days of treatment, or if your hives have lasted more than 6 weeks.
• In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away.
• Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, vision problems, agitation, fast heartbeats, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, trouble walking, trouble swallowing or speaking.

Alternatives

• Zyrtec Liquid Gels with 10 mg Cetirizine HCl
• Zyrtec Dye-Free Chewable Allergy Medicine with 10 mg Cetirizine HCl
• Zyrtec-D Allergy + Congestion Relief Tablets with Decongestant and Cetirizine HCl
• Quzyttir
• All Day Allergy
• All Day Allergy Children's
• Aller-Tec Children's