Cetirizine is commonly used to treat sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and other allergy symptoms. The drug can also be used to treat itching due to hives (which may or not be caused by allergies). Cetirizine comes in the form of tablets, chewable tablets, and syrup, and is usually taken once a day. Possible side effects include fatigue, drowsiness, and dry mouth.
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Itchy nose or throat.
It is also approved to treat itching due to hives, which may or may not be caused by
allergies. Cetirizine is also available in combination with a decongestant
(see Cetirizine and Pseudoephedrine for more information). Although cetirizine (as well as cetirizine and pseudoephedrine) was originally a prescription product, it is now available without a prescription
(see Zyrtec OTC).
Brand-name cetirizine is made by McNeil Consumer Healthcare. Generic versions of the drug are made by various manufacturers.
How Does Cetirizine Work?
Allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to normally harmless substances that do not bother most people. This reaction is partly caused by the release of histamine from certain cells in the body. Cetirizine is an antihistamine, which means it blocks histamine from binding to histamine receptors and causing allergy symptoms. Since histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of allergies, blocking it can be helpful. It is important to note that antihistamines (including cetirizine) do not help treat nasal congestion caused by allergies, since this symptom is not due to histamine.
Histamine is also responsible for the formation of hives (whether they are caused by allergies or not). Cetirizine works to alleviate the itching due to hives by blocking histamine.
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