cetirizine (oral/injection)

What is the most important information I should know about cetirizine?

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What is cetirizine?

Cetirizine oral is used to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itching of nose, throat, or eyes.

Cetirizine oral tablet, capsule, and oral disintegrating tablet are used in adults and children at least 6 years of age.

Cetirizine oral liquid and chewable tablet can be used in adults and children at least 2 years of age.

Cetirizine injection is used in adults and children at least 6 months old to treat hives (urticaria).

Cetirizine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using cetirizine?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using cetirizine oral if you have any health problems.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• recently used alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers; or
• liver or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I use cetirizine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Cetirizine oral is taken by mouth with or without food.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the blister pack with dry hands only when you are ready to take the medicine. Take this medicine immediately after opening the blister pack. Allow the orally disintegrating tablet to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.

Measure liquid medicine with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Cetirizine injection is injected into a vein by a healthcare provider.

Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Cetirizine oral is used when needed. If you are on a dosing schedule, skip any missed dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

In a medical setting you are not likely to miss a dose of cetirizine injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, vision problems, agitation, fast heartbeats, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, trouble walking, trouble swallowing or speaking.

What should I avoid while using cetirizine?

What are the possible side effects of cetirizine?

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• cough, drowsiness, tiredness;
• headache, dizziness, feeling light-headed;
• feeling hot, sweating;
• numbness, tingling, burning pain;
• altered sense of taste;
• upset stomach, constipation; or
• nosebleed, dry mouth, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect cetirizine?

Other drugs may affect cetirizine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about cetirizine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 13.01. Revision date: 6/21/2023.