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Home » Allergies » Cetirizine / Zyrtec
Cetirizine
Generic name: Cetirizine hydrochloride
Brand name: Zyrtec
Manufacturer: Various
Cetirizine hydrochloride, an antihistamine, is a major metabolite of hydroxyzine, and a racemic selective H1 receptor inverse agonist used in the treatment of allergies, hay fever, angioedema, and urticaria. The structural similarity of cetirizine to hydroxyzine, and its derivation from piperazine, attribute similar adverse reactions and properties to other piperazine derivatives.
Zyrtec
Brand name: Zyrtec
Generic name: Cetirizine hydrochloride
Manufacturer: ucb
See also Zyrtec-D prolonged release tablets
What is Zyrtec?
Zyrtec is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Zyrtec is used to prevent or treat symptoms of hay fever and to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or runny nose.
Zyrtec is also used to treat itching and swelling caused by chronic urticaria (hives).
Zyrtec may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Zyrtec
Zyrtec can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Zyrtec. Tell your doctor if you regularly 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). They can add to sleepiness caused by Zyrtec. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever.
Before taking Zyrtec
You should not use Zyrtec if you are allergic to cetirizine.
Before taking Zyrtec, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Zyrtec can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Zyrtec without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may need to take a lower than normal dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.
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