From the Guidelines
Cetirizine is primarily used to treat allergic conditions such as hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and urticaria (hives). It works by blocking histamine receptors, specifically H1 receptors, which helps reduce allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. The standard adult dose is 10 mg once daily, while children's dosing varies by age (typically 5-10 mg daily for children over 6 years, and 2.5-5 mg for younger children) 1. Cetirizine is available as tablets, liquid, and chewable forms, and is generally taken with or without food. Unlike older antihistamines, cetirizine is less likely to cause drowsiness, though some people may still experience this side effect, with a reported incidence of mild drowsiness of 13.7% for patients age 12 years compared with 6.3% for placebo 1.
Key Points
- Cetirizine is effective in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including sneezing, itching, and rhinorrhea 1.
- It is generally well-tolerated in young children and has a good safety profile 1.
- Cetirizine may be used in combination with other medications, such as intranasal corticosteroids, for the treatment of allergic rhinitis 1.
- The use of cetirizine has been associated with sedative properties, although the effect tends to be milder than that observed with first-generation antihistamines 1.
Important Considerations
- Patients with kidney or liver problems may need dose adjustments, and pregnant women should consult their doctor before use.
- Common side effects include mild drowsiness, dry mouth, and fatigue.
- Cetirizine begins working within an hour and provides relief for up to 24 hours.
From the FDA Drug Label
Temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies runny nose sneezing itchy, watery eyes itching of the nose or throat 24 Hour Relief of: •Sneezing •Runny Nose •Itchy, Watery Eyes •Itchy Throat or Nose
Cetirizine is used for the temporary relief of symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies, including:
From the Research
Uses of Cetirizine
- Cetirizine is used to treat symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), and chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) in adult, adolescent, and pediatric patients 3, 4, 5.
- It is effective in reducing symptoms of allergic asthma in adults and reduces the relative risk of developing asthma in infants with atopic dermatitis sensitized to grass pollen or house dust mite allergens 3, 5.
- Cetirizine has a corticosteroid-sparing effect in infants with severe atopic dermatitis and is effective in ameliorating reactions to mosquito bites in adults 3, 6.
- It is used to treat allergic cough and has anti-inflammatory properties that may play a role in asthma management 3, 5.
- Cetirizine is effective in the treatment of various forms of urticaria and reduces the pruritus of atopic eczema, with doses higher than 10 mg (up to 40 mg) recommended for best benefit 6.
Benefits of Cetirizine
- Cetirizine has a rapid onset of action, with significant clinical inhibition of a wheal and flare response occurring within 20 minutes of a single oral dose 5.
- It is well tolerated in adults, adolescents, and pediatric patients with allergic disorders, with a low incidence of sedation and anticholinergic side effects 3, 4, 7.
- Cetirizine does not have any adverse effects on cognitive function in adults or cognitive function, behavior, or achievement of psychomotor milestones in pediatric patients 3.
- It is not associated with cardiotoxicity and has no cardiac adverse effects 5, 6.
Administration and Pharmacology
- Cetirizine is an orally-active and selective histamine (H1)-receptor antagonist, with a mean elimination half-life of 8.3 hours 5.
- It is predominantly eliminated by the kidneys and has a low rate of penetration of the blood-brain barrier, resulting in minimal central nervous system impairment 7, 5.
- Cetirizine can be given once a day, with peak plasma levels reached within 1 hour after intake 6.