Zyrtec
Active Ingredients: Cetirizine
Representative Names: Zyrtec
Available Product Images:

What are cetirizine tablets?
What should my health care professional know before I take cetirizine?
How should I take this medicine?
What if I miss a dose?
What drug(s) may interact with cetirizine?
What side effects may I notice from taking cetirizine?
What should I watch for while taking cetirizine?
Where can I keep my medicine?

What are cetirizine tablets? (Back to top)
CETIRIZINE (Zyrtec®) is an antihistamine. Antihistamines work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Cetirizine is used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other types of allergy. It is also used to help relieve itching and hives. Generic cetirizine tablets are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I take cetirizine? (Back to top)
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to cetirizine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine? (Back to top)
Take cetirizine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. You can take this medicine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take more often than directed. You may need to take cetirizine for several days before your symptoms improve.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. Cetirizine has been used in children as young as 2 years old.

What if I miss a dose? (Back to top)
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with cetirizine? (Back to top)
Because cetirizine can cause drowsiness, other medicines that also cause drowsiness may increase this effect of cetirizine. Some medicines that cause drowsiness are:
• alcohol
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• certain antidepressants or tranquilizers (for example, amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, thioridazine, trifluoperazine)
• certain narcotics or pain medicines (for example, codeine, hydrocodone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, or propoxyphene)
• certain medicines used for anxiety or to help produce sleep (for example, alprazolam, chloral hydrate, diazepam, lorazepam, meprobamate)
• certain antihistamines used in cold medicines (for example, diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine)
Ask your prescriber or health care professional about other medicines that may increase the effect of cetirizine.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking cetirizine? (Back to top)
Serious side effects to cetirizine are rare. Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• any unusual effects that are bothersome

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fatigue
• headache
• nausea or stomach upset
• sore throat

What should I watch for while taking cetirizine? (Back to top)
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to improve in 2 or 3 days.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how cetirizine affects you.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.

Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top)
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

DESCRIPTION

Cetirizine HCl is an orally active and selective H1-receptor antagonist. The chemical name is (±) - [2- [4- [ (4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl] -1- piperazinyl] ethoxy]acetic acid, dihydrochloride. Cetirizine HCl is a racemic compound with an empirical formula of C21H25C1N2O3·2HCl. The molecular weight is 461.82.

Cetirizine HCl is a white, crystalline powder and is water soluble. Zyrtec tablets are formulated as white, film-coated, rounded-off rectangular shaped tablets for oral administration and are available in 5 and 10 mg strengths. Inactive Ingredients: Lactose; magnesium stearate; povidone; titanium dioxide; hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; polyethylene glycol; and corn starch.

Zyrtec syrup is a colorless to slightly yellow syrup containing cetirizine HCl at a concentration of 1 mg/ml (5 mg/5 ml) for oral administration. The pH is between 4 and 5. Inactive Ingredients: Banana flavor; glacial acetic acid; glycerin; grape flavor; methylparaben; propylene glycol; propylparaben; sodium acetate; sugar syrup; and water.

Zyrtec
cetirizine (se TEER i zeen)

What is the most important information I should know about Zyrtec?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Zyrtec may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Zyrtec.

What is Zyrtec?
• Zyrtec is an antihistamine. Antihistamines prevent sneezing, runny nose, itching and watering of the eyes, and other allergic symptoms.
• Zyrtec is used to treat allergies, hives (urticaria), and other allergic inflammatory conditions.
• Zyrtec may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take Zyrtec?
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy with Zyrtec.
• Zyrtec is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take Zyrtec without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Zyrtec passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Zyrtec without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Zyrtec. You may require a lower dose of this medication.

How should I take Zyrtec?
• Take Zyrtec exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Zyrtec can be taken with or without food.
• Zyrtec is usually taken once daily. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• Store Zyrtec at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a Zyrtec overdose are not well known, but extreme sleepiness, confusion, and weakness may be expected.

What should I avoid while taking Zyrtec?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Zyrtec may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Zyrtec.

What are the possible side effects of Zyrtec?
• Stop taking Zyrtec and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Zyrtec and talk to your doctor if you experience
· sleepiness, fatigue, or dizziness;
· headache; or
· dry mouth.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Zyrtec?
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
· medications for anxiety or sleep such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion);
· medications for depression such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or paroxetine (Paxil);
· other cough, cold, or allergy medicines; or
· any other medications that cause drowsiness, sleepiness, or relaxation.
• Heavy sedation may occur if Zyrtec is taken with any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Zyrtec. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

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