Zyrtec
Zyrtec is an allergy medicine that helps relieve symptoms of seasonal and year-round allergies, like runny nose and itchy eyes, and also treats hives.
How to Use
Dosage
Adults and children over 12 years: 10 mg (20 drops) once a day. Children 6-12 years: 5 mg (10 drops) twice a day. Children 2-6 years: 2.5 mg (5 drops) twice a day. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may adjust your dose.
Method
Measure the drops into a spoon or mix them with water and drink right away. Hold the bottle upside down when counting drops.
Do not take more than the recommended dose. For adults and children over 12, this is 10 mg (20 drops) per day. For younger children, follow the specific dosage for their age.
Possible Side Effects
- •Drowsiness
- •Dizziness
- •Headache
- •Sore throat (in children)
- •Runny or stuffy nose (in children)
- •Diarrhea
- •Nausea
- •Dry mouth
- •Tiredness
- •Restlessness
- •Tingling or numbness of the skin
- •Stomach pain
- •Itching or rash
- •Weakness or general feeling of being unwell
- •Allergic reactions (these can be serious, causing swelling of the face or throat)
- •Feeling sad, seeing or hearing things that aren't there, feeling angry or confused, trouble sleeping
- •Seizures
- •Fast heartbeat
- •Liver problems
- •Hives (itchy red welts on the skin)
- •Swelling
- •Weight gain
- •Low number of blood platelets (cells that help blood clot)
- •Uncontrolled movements or tics
- •Fainting
- •Muscle stiffness or spasms, shaking
- •Changes in taste
- •Blurred vision, trouble focusing eyes, uncontrolled eye movements
- •Skin rash from medicine
- •Problems urinating, like bedwetting, pain when urinating, or difficulty emptying the bladder
- •Increased hunger
- •Thoughts of harming oneself, nightmares
- •Memory loss or problems
- •A spinning sensation (vertigo)
- •Inability to empty bladder completely
- •Severe itching and/or hives returning if you stop the medicine
- •Joint or muscle pain
- •Skin rash with pus-filled blisters
- •Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you have severe kidney disease requiring dialysis.
- Do not take if you are allergic to cetirizine, hydroxyzine, piperazine derivatives, or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Talk to your doctor if you have trouble urinating (e.g., due to spinal cord injury, prostate problems, or bladder issues).
- Talk to your doctor if you have epilepsy or are at risk of seizures.
- If you are having an allergy test, you might need to stop taking this medicine a few days before, as it can affect the test results.
Show 2 more warnings
- Avoid using Zyrtec if you are pregnant. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using.
- Be careful when driving or operating machines, as this medicine might make you sleepy.
Use in Elderly Patients
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Consider renal impairment. May cause fatigue. (updated 19.9.2025)