Daily OTC Pearl: Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

OTC/Lifestyle Pearl of the Day: Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Indication: For relief of nasal and ocular symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis; symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Insight:

• Dosing:
  • Children from 2 to 6 years of age: 2.5 mg twice daily.
  • Children from 6 to 12 years of age: 5 mg twice daily.
  • Adolescents 12 years if age and above and adults: 10 mg once daily.
• Contraindication: Zyrtec is contraindicated during lactation. Hypersensitivity to any of the constituents of the formulation, to hydroxyzine, or to any piperazine derivatives.
• Adverse events include somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, and headache.
• Mechanism of action: Cetirizine, a human metabolite of hydroxyzine, is an antihistamine. Its principal effects are mediated via selective inhibition of peripheral H1 receptors.
• Manufacturer: Johnson and Johnson

Reference:

• Zyrtec PI .pdf
• DOCUMENT INFORMATION PAGE (fda.gov)