Zyrtec
Zyrtec is an allergy medicine used to relieve nose and eye symptoms from seasonal and year-round allergies, and to treat hives.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
10 mg
Active Ingredient
Cetirizine dihydrochloride
Manufacturer
UCB Pharma Oy Finland
How to Use
Dosage
Adults and children over 12 years: 10 mg (1 tablet) once daily. Children 6-12 years: 5 mg (half tablet) twice daily.
Method
Swallow tablets with a glass of liquid. Tablets can be divided into two equal halves.
Important
The maximum daily dose is 10 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Drowsiness
- •Dizziness, Headache
- •Sore throat (in children)
- •Runny or blocked nose (in children)
- •Diarrhea, Nausea
- •Dry mouth
- •Fatigue
RARE
- •Allergic reactions (including severe swelling of the face/throat and drug rash)
- •Restlessness
- •Abnormal skin sensations (pins and needles)
- •Abdominal pain
- •Itchy skin, Rash
- •Weakness, General feeling of being unwell
- •Depression, Hallucinations, Aggression, Confusion, Insomnia
- •Convulsions
- •Fast heartbeat
- •Abnormal liver function
- •Hives
- •Swelling
- •Weight gain
- •Low platelet count
- •Tics (involuntary twitches)
- •Fainting, Involuntary movements, Muscle tone problems, Tremors, Taste disturbance
- •Blurred vision, Difficulty focusing, Uncontrolled eye movements
- •Urination problems (bedwetting, painful urination, difficulty urinating)
- •Increased appetite
- •Suicidal thoughts, Nightmares
- •Memory loss, Impaired memory
- •Vertigo (spinning sensation)
- •Inability to fully empty bladder
- •Intense itching and/or hives upon stopping medication
- •Joint pain, Muscle pain
- •Skin rash with pus-filled blisters
- •Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
Important Warnings
- Do not take this medicine if you have severe kidney disease requiring dialysis.
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to cetirizine, hydroxyzine, piperazine derivatives, or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Talk to your doctor if you have kidney problems, as a lower dose may be needed.
- Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty urinating (due to spinal cord injury, prostate, or bladder problems).
- Talk to your doctor if you have epilepsy or a risk of seizures.
Show 5 more warnings
- If you are having an allergy test, you may need to stop taking Zyrtec several days before, as it can affect test results.
- Do not give this medicine to children under 6 years old, as the tablet form is not suitable for dose adjustments for this age group.
- Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine.
- Avoid using Zyrtec during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
- These tablets contain lactose. If you have a sugar intolerance, talk to your doctor.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Consider renal impairment. May cause fatigue. (updated 19.9.2025)