Cetirizine is an antihistamine used for allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a running or itchy nose, watery eyes and hives.
- Generic name
- Cetirizine hydrochloride
- Active ingredient
- Cetirizine hydrochloride
- Common brands in India
- Cetzine, Alerid, Okacet, Zyrtec
- Available as
- Tablet, Syrup, Oral drops
- Common strengths
- 5 mg, 10 mg, 5 mg/5 mL syrup
- How it is sold
- Commonly available without a prescription
No dosage information on this page
The correct dose depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other medicines and medical history. Follow the dose your doctor prescribed, or the instructions on the pack. Never copy a dose from a website or from someone else's prescription.
What Cetirizine is used for
- Allergic rhinitis — sneezing, running nose, blocked nose and itchy nose
- Watery, itchy or red eyes caused by allergy
- Hives (urticaria) and allergic skin itching
- Symptom relief in some allergic skin conditions, when a doctor advises it
How it works
When your body meets something it is allergic to, it releases a chemical called histamine, which produces the itching, sneezing and swelling. Cetirizine blocks histamine from acting, which reduces those symptoms.
How to take Cetirizine
- It can be taken with or without food.
- Many people take it in the evening, because it makes some people drowsy.
- For children, use the syrup or drops with the measuring device supplied, and follow what your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
- Do not take a second antihistamine alongside it unless a doctor has told you to.
Precautions
- It can cause drowsiness in some people. Find out how it affects you before driving or operating machinery.
- Avoid alcohol while taking it, as this increases drowsiness.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems — a lower dose is often needed.
- If symptoms persist for weeks, see a doctor to identify the trigger rather than taking it indefinitely.
Common side effects
Not everyone gets side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these are troublesome or do not settle.
- Sleepiness or feeling tired
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Occasionally stomach discomfort
Important warnings
- Cetirizine does not treat an asthma attack. Use your prescribed inhaler and seek medical help.
- It is not a treatment for a severe allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis — swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, sudden collapse — is a medical emergency needing adrenaline and immediate hospital care. Do not delay by taking an antihistamine.
- Do not take it alongside other antihistamines unless your doctor has told you to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cetirizine make you sleepy?
It causes less drowsiness than older antihistamines, but a meaningful number of people still feel sleepy on it. Many prefer to take it at night for that reason. Check how it affects you before driving.
Can cetirizine be taken every day?
Some people with ongoing allergies take it daily on a doctor's advice. If you find yourself needing it every day for weeks, see a doctor to identify and address the trigger rather than continuing indefinitely on your own.
Will cetirizine help a cold?
It may slightly ease a running nose and sneezing, but it does not treat the infection or shorten a cold. A cold is caused by a virus and improves on its own with rest and fluids.
What are the side effects of cetirizine?
Sleepiness is the one that matters most — find out how it affects you before driving or operating machinery. Dry mouth, headache and occasional stomach discomfort also occur. Alcohol makes the drowsiness worse.
What this costs, and what is free
Commonly available free at government hospitals and health and wellness centres when prescribed there.
Generic versions are sold at Jan Aushadhi Kendras at substantially lower prices than branded packs of the same medicine.
The same molecule is sold under many brand names at very different prices. Ask your doctor to write the generic name, and compare at a Jan Aushadhi Kendra — the saving on a medicine taken daily is often substantial over a year. You can look up any medicine's official ceiling price on NPPA's Pharma Sahi Daam app.
Source: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
Prices and scheme rules change. Confirm current details with the hospital or Kendra before you rely on them.
Looking for Cetirizine locally?Aswini Medicals is a pharmacy that stocks everyday medicines and can advise on availability.
Visit Aswini Medicals