Cetirizine: What to Know Before You Take It
Also known as Zyrtec
A patient-focused safety profile with information from public regulatory sources.
In plain language
What Cetirizine is used for
Uses temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: runny nose sneezing itchy, watery eyes itching of the nose or throat
Read before you decide
Risks and precautions
Risks and warnings
Warnings Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients or to an antihistamine containing hydroxyzine. Ask a doctor before use if you have liver or kidney disease. Your doctor should determine if you need a different dose. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking tranquilizers or sedatives. When using this product drowsiness may occur avoid alcoholic drinks alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness be careful when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery Stop use and ask a doctor if an allergic reaction to this product occurs. Seek medical help right away. If pregnant or breast-feeding if breast-feeding: not recommended if pregnant: ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. (1-800-222-1222)
FDA safety data
Most-reported side effects
Based on 169,947 FAERS reports. Reports do not prove the drug caused the effect.
Regulatory record
FDA recalls (10)
Tablet/Capsules Imprinted with Wrong ID
Recalling firm: JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Tablet/Capsules Imprinted with Wrong ID
Recalling firm: JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd
CGMP Deviations
Recalling firm: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
Labeling: Not Elsewhere classified: Product was relabeled as 90 tablet count product although it was a manufacturer in a box with 30 tablet count tablets.
Recalling firm: A-S Medication Solutions LLC.
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: unknown impurity higher than the specified limit was detected during routine stability testing.
Recalling firm: Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
Failed Tablet/Capsule Specifications: out of specification results for increased tablet hardness.
Recalling firm: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.
Failed Impurity/Degradations Specifications; impurity identified as cetirizine monosaccharide ester
Recalling firm: Perrigo Company PLC
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: out of specification results for impurities/degradation testing for N-Oxide
Recalling firm: Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd.
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: out of specification results for impurities/degradation testing for N-Oxide
Recalling firm: Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd.
Impurity/Degradation; exceeded impurity specification at the 8 and 15 month time points (betacyclodextrin ester 1&2)
Recalling firm: Sandoz Incorporated
Common questions
Patient questions
What is Cetirizine prescribed for?
Uses temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: runny nose sneezing itchy, watery eyes itching of the nose or throat
What are the key warnings and safety precautions for Cetirizine?
Warnings Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients or to an antihistamine containing hydroxyzine. Ask a doctor before use if you have liver or kidney disease. Your doctor should determine if you need a different dose. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking tranquilizers or sedatives. When using this product drowsiness may occur avoid alcoholic drinks alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness be careful when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery Stop use and ask a doctor if an allergic reaction to this product occurs. Seek medical help right away. If pregnant or breast-feeding if breast-feeding: not recommended if pregnant: ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. (1-800-222-1222)
Does Cetirizine interact with other medications or foods?
Cetirizine has 0 documented drug interaction(s) and 0 food interaction(s) in clinical databases. Always provide your complete medication list to your clinician.
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.