Zyrtec
Zyrtec is an allergy medicine used to relieve nose and eye symptoms from seasonal and year-round allergies and to treat hives in adults and children aged 2 years and older.
How to Use
Dosage
For adults and children over 12 years, take 10 mg (10 ml or two full measuring spoons) once daily. For children 6-12 years, take 5 mg (5 ml or one full measuring spoon) twice daily. For children 2-6 years, take 2.5 mg (2.5 ml or half a measuring spoon) twice daily. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose.
Method
The oral solution can be swallowed directly.
The maximum daily dose for adults and children over 6 years is 10 mg. For children aged 2-6 years, the maximum daily dose is 5 mg.
Possible Side Effects
- •Drowsiness
- •Dizziness, headache
- •Sore throat, runny or blocked nose (in children)
- •Diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth
- •Fatigue
- •Agitation
- •Unusual skin sensations (tingling)
- •Abdominal pain
- •Itching, rash
- •Weakness (extreme tiredness), feeling unwell
- •Allergic reactions (including severe reactions with swelling of face/throat, drug rash)
- •Depression, hallucinations, aggression, confusion, insomnia
- •Convulsions (seizures)
- •Fast heartbeat
- •Abnormal liver function (hepatitis)
- •Hives (urticaria)
- •Swelling
- •Weight gain
- •Low blood platelet count
- •Tics (involuntary twitches)
- •Fainting, involuntary movements, muscle problems (prolonged abnormal muscle contractions), tremors, taste changes
- •Blurred vision, difficulty focusing, uncontrolled eye rolling
- •Urination problems (bedwetting, painful urination, difficulty emptying bladder)
- •Increased appetite
- •Suicidal thoughts, nightmares
- •Memory loss, impaired memory
- •Vertigo (spinning sensation)
- •Intense itching/hives when stopping the medicine
- •Joint pain, muscle pain
- •Pustular rash (skin rash with pus-filled blisters)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Zyrtec if you have severe kidney disease requiring dialysis.
- Do not take Zyrtec if you are allergic to cetirizine, hydroxyzine, piperazine derivatives, or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty urinating (due to a 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 Zyrtec several days beforehand, as it can affect the test results.
Show 2 more warnings
- Avoid Zyrtec during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Zyrtec, as with other antihistamines.
Use in Elderly Patients
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Consider renal impairment. May cause fatigue. (updated 19.9.2025)