Cetirizine: Uses, How It Works, Medicines
Cetirizine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a runny or itchy nose, itchy and watery eyes, and itchy hives. It is usually taken once a day and causes less drowsiness than older antihistamines, although some people still feel sleepy. Levocetirizine is the active form of cetirizine, so the two should not be taken together.
Also known as: Cetirizine hydrochloride, Cetirizine dihydrochloride, Cetirizine tablet, Cetirizine 10 mg, Cetrizine, Cetirizin, Cetrizin, Okacet, Cetzine
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
How does Cetirizine work?
Cetirizine blocks H1 histamine receptors, so histamine released during an allergic reaction cannot cause sneezing, itching, a runny nose or hives. Most of it leaves the body unchanged in the urine, so people with kidney disease may need a lower dose.
How to take Cetirizine
Follow the label or your doctor's advice. Cetirizine is usually taken once a day, and labels often suggest the evening because it can cause sleepiness. People with kidney or liver disease, older people and children need doses decided by a doctor.
Side effects of Cetirizine
Cetirizine is generally well tolerated. Sleepiness and dry mouth are the effects people notice most often.
Uncommon or mild
- Sleepiness or tiredness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Sore throat or nose irritation
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, or a sudden widespread rash or hives
- Difficulty passing urine or being unable to pass urine; tell a doctor promptly
- Fits (seizures), which have been reported rarely
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, or fainting
- Severe itching that begins after stopping the medicine, which has been reported rarely
Who should be careful
Most people can take cetirizine, but some need to check with a doctor first because it is cleared mainly by the kidneys and can cause sleepiness.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to cetirizine, levocetirizine, hydroxyzine or any ingredient of the tablet
- Severe kidney failure, unless a doctor has prescribed it
- Kidney or liver disease: the dose may need to be lower
- Epilepsy or a history of fits
- Enlarged prostate or other conditions that make passing urine difficult
- Driving, using machines or work needing full alertness, until you know how it affects you
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: use only if a doctor advises it
- Past allergic reaction to cetirizine, hydroxyzine or levocetirizine
- Children and older adults: give only at the dose and in the form a doctor advises
Medicines and things that interact with Cetirizine
Cetirizine has few interactions, but some medicines and habits add to its sleepiness. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take.
- Alcohol: can add to sleepiness; best avoided
- Sedating medicines such as sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medicines and other sedating antihistamines: can add to drowsiness
- Other antihistamines, including levocetirizine: taking two together is not advised unless a doctor says so
- Theophylline (for asthma): may slightly change how cetirizine is cleared
- Ritonavir (an HIV medicine): may raise cetirizine levels
Effects on lab tests
- Skin allergy (prick) tests: antihistamines can weaken the skin reaction and give a false negative result
Regulatory status in India
Approved for sale in India as tablets, syrup and drops. Single-ingredient cetirizine is not on the CDSCO list of banned medicines, but some fixed-dose combinations containing it have been banned. Check the ingredient list and the schedule printed on the pack.
Type of medicine
Cetirizine belongs to this type of medicine.
Medicines that contain Cetirizine
These medicines sold in India contain Cetirizine. They are listed A to Z, not ranked.
- Okacet · 10 mg tablet
What is Cetirizine used for?
Medicines that contain Cetirizine are used for these conditions.
Other medicines of the same type
These active ingredients are of the same type as Cetirizine.
Common questions
What is cetirizine used for?
Cetirizine is used to relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a runny or itchy nose, itchy and watery eyes, and itchy hives. It eases the symptoms but does not remove the allergy itself.
Does cetirizine make you sleepy?
It can. Cetirizine causes less drowsiness than older antihistamines, but some people still feel sleepy. Do not drive or use machines until you know how it affects you, and avoid alcohol. Taking it in the evening may help.
Is cetirizine the same as levocetirizine?
They are closely related. Levocetirizine is the active half of cetirizine, so 5 mg of levocetirizine works like 10 mg of cetirizine. They should not be taken together unless a doctor says so.
Is cetirizine an antibiotic or a steroid?
No. Cetirizine is an antihistamine. It does not kill germs and is not a steroid. It blocks histamine, the chemical that causes allergy symptoms.
Can children take cetirizine?
Cetirizine comes in children's forms, but the dose depends on age and weight. A 10 mg tablet is not right for every child, so give it to a child only as a doctor advises.
Is cetirizine safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Ask your doctor first. Cetirizine passes into breast milk, and larger doses may make a baby drowsy. Do not start or stop any allergy medicine on your own during pregnancy.
Sources
- Cetirizine. NHS (UK)
- Side effects of cetirizine. NHS (UK)
- Common questions about cetirizine. NHS (UK)
- Taking cetirizine with other medicines and herbal supplements. NHS (UK)
- Cetirizine. StatPearls, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), US National Library of Medicine
- ATC/DDD Index: R06AE07 cetirizine. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
- List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)