From the Guidelines
The recommended dosage of Cetirizine for adults and children 6 years and older is 10 mg once daily, as it has been shown to be effective in reducing allergy symptoms with minimal sedative properties 1. When considering the treatment of allergic rhinitis, it is essential to weigh the benefits and risks of each medication. Cetirizine, a second-generation antihistamine, has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
- The standard dose of Cetirizine is 10 mg once daily, which has been associated with mild drowsiness in some patients, but without performance impairment 1.
- However, it is crucial to note that higher doses of Cetirizine may be associated with performance impairment, and patients should be cautioned regarding this risk 1.
- In comparison to other second-generation antihistamines, such as fexofenadine, loratadine, and desloratadine, Cetirizine has been found to have similar efficacy, but with a slightly higher risk of sedative properties 1.
- The safety profile of Cetirizine in young children has been found to be good, with minimal adverse effects reported 1.
- It is recommended to take Cetirizine at the same time each day, with or without food, and to measure the liquid form accurately using the provided device.
- Elderly patients and those with kidney or liver impairment should start with a lower dose of 5 mg daily and adjust as needed.
- Overall, Cetirizine is a effective and relatively safe medication for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, and its recommended dosage of 10 mg once daily is supported by the available evidence 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Directions Adults and children 6years and overone 10 mg tablet once daily, do not take more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours. A 5 mg product may be appropriate for less severe symptoms. The recommended dosage of Cetirizine for allergy symptoms is:
- 10 mg once daily for adults and children 6 years and over
- A 5 mg product may be appropriate for less severe symptoms
- Do not take more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours 2
From the Research
Recommended Dosage of Cetirizine for Allergy Symptoms
The recommended dosage of Cetirizine for allergy symptoms varies depending on the age and condition of the patient.
- For children aged 6 to 11 years, a dose of 10 mg once daily is recommended for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, as it has been shown to produce a significantly greater mean reduction in total symptom severity score compared to placebo 3.
- For infants aged 6 to 11 months, a dose of 0.25 mg/kg twice daily has been studied, with a mean daily dose of 4.5 mg, and was found to be safe with no differences in adverse events compared to placebo 4.
- For children aged 6-12 years with perennial allergic rhinitis, a dose of 10 mg once daily has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms, with a significant difference in the percentage of days with no or only mild symptoms compared to placebo 5.
- For adults, the recommended dose is 10 mg once daily, which has been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria, with a low incidence of sedation 6, 7.
Key Considerations
- Cetirizine has been found to be well-tolerated and safe in various studies, with a low incidence of adverse events, including headache, pharyngitis, and abdominal pain 3, 4, 5.
- The drug has anti-inflammatory properties, which may play a role in asthma management, and does not interact with concomitantly administered medications or have cardiac adverse effects 7.