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 low dose of Zyrtec (cetirizine) is 5 mg, which may be suitable for patients with less severe symptoms 1.
From the Research
The standard low dose of Zyrtec (cetirizine) is 5 mg once daily, which is half of the regular adult dose of 10 mg, as recommended for mild intermittent or mild persistent allergic rhinitis 2. This lower dose is appropriate for people who experience adequate symptom relief with less medication or who want to minimize side effects like drowsiness. Some key points to consider when prescribing a low dose of Zyrtec include:
- Children aged 6-11 typically take this 5 mg dose, while adults and children 12+ can take either 5 mg or 10 mg depending on their needs 3.
- The medication begins working within an hour and lasts for 24 hours, making once-daily dosing effective for most people.
- Zyrtec works by blocking histamine receptors, reducing allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
- The lower dose may be particularly beneficial for elderly patients, those with kidney or liver impairment, or individuals who find the full dose causes too much sedation.
- If the 5 mg dose doesn't adequately control symptoms, you can increase to the standard 10 mg dose after consulting with a healthcare provider. It's also worth noting that other options are available for treating allergic rhinitis, including intranasal antihistamines and corticosteroids, and the choice of treatment should be based on the severity and frequency of symptoms, as well as patient preference 2, 4.