What Is Cetirizine and Pseudoephedrine Used For?

People may wonder what cetirizine and pseudoephedrine is used for. The drug is used to treat several allergy symptoms, including runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. The medication is particularly useful for treating allergies, as it does not usually cause drowsiness, unlike other non-prescription allergy products. Cetirizine and pseudoephedrine is approved for use by adults and children age 12 and older.

 

What Is Cetirizine and Pseudoephedrine Used For? -- An Overview

Cetirizine and pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D®) is a non-prescription medication approved to treat allergies in adults and children as young as 12 years old. As the name implies, the drug contains two different medications: pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) and cetirizine (an antihistamine). Originally a prescription-only medication, it is now available without a prescription. Cetirizine and pseudoephedrine is approved to treat the following allergy symptoms:
 
  • Itchy or watery eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Itchy nose or throat
  • Nasal congestion.
     
Because the drug contains pseudoephedrine, it is kept "behind the counter" at pharmacies, due to laws that regulate the sale of pseudoephedrine. These laws were put in place to prevent the use of pseudoephedrine for making methamphetamine ("crystal meth"). You do not need a prescription, but you will need to show ID and sign for the medication.
 

Why Is Cetirizine and Pseudoephedrine Used for Allergies?

Allergies are the immune system's specific reaction to normally harmless substances, such as pollens, certain foods, or medicines. Allergies can be either seasonal or perennial. Seasonal allergies (such as hay fever) occur at specific times of the year, while perennial allergies can occur throughout the year. Allergies can affect various parts of the body, and symptoms are particularly common in the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
 
Combined with strategies to minimize a person's contact with allergens, allergy treatment can make life bearable for even the worst allergy sufferer. Treatment often includes allergy shots or medications. Cetirizine and pseudoephedrine is a particularly useful allergy medicine, as it usually does not cause drowsiness, unlike many other non-prescription allergy products.
 
(What Is Cetirizine and Pseudoephedrine Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;