These symptoms are usually milder than with the first generation antihistamines, but more pronounced than with medications such as Claritin or Allegra. Overall, Zyrtec appears to be more effective for controlling allergies than Claritin or Allegra, but similar to Xyzal.
However, every person with allergies is different, and it's often impossible to predict which medication will work best for any one person. Multiple studies show that Zyrtec is better at treating hay fever and hives when compared to Claritin loratadine or Allegra fexofenadine. Zyrtec works faster, is more effective, and lasts longer than these other antihistamines.
When used for hives, Zyrtec may work better than Claritin or Allegra but is similar in effectiveness to Xyzal levocetirizine and Clarinex desloratadine.
Zyrtec, however, is more likely than Claritin or Allegra to have the side effect of fatigue. If you are coping with hay fever or hives it's important to have a good relationship with your allergist.
Some people try different medications while keeping an allergy journal as a way to see which medication works best for them specifically. With children, it's important to weigh the benefits of treatments including better concentration during school against the possible risks and side effects.
Your pediatrician can help you recognize when your child may or may not benefit from medications. With older children, it can be very helpful to involve them and include them in this decision-making process. During pregnancy, it's ideal if you don't take any medications, but sometimes that is not possible. The runny nose associated with pregnancy combined with allergic rhinitis can be very uncomfortable.
During pregnancy, those with allergic rhinitis or hives may notice a worsening of their symptoms, an improvement, or things may stay the same. The important point is that your symptoms may change and it can be helpful to be prepared. Zyrtec has a pregnancy category "B" rating, meaning that it is generally considered to be safe for people who are pregnant. In contrast, some allergy medications should usually be avoided during pregnancy include intranasal antihistamines and first-generation antihistamines such as Benadryl.
The dosage of Zyrtec is 2. Larger doses have not been shown to be more beneficial for the treatment of hay fever, but may be more useful for the treatment of hives in some people.
Zyrtec starts to work within an hour or so after taking the medication—making it useful for the as-needed treatment of hay fever and hives. Taking it daily, however, may result in better overall control of allergy symptoms. This is in contrast to some medications, particularly nasal steroid sprays, which need to be taken for some time to be effective. Zyrtec has a low incidence of side effects and is usually well-tolerated.
Common side effects include:. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.
To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Cetirizine pronounced as se ti' ra zeen. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow?
What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Brand names of combination products.
Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking cetirizine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cetirizine, hydroxyzine Vistaril , or any other medications. There is no good evidence that it causes harm to the baby. However, other antihistamines such as loratadine may be recommended as there is more information about its use in pregnancy. If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take cetirizine while breastfeeding.
There is some information available which shows that only very small amounts get into breast milk. Cetirizine has been used for many years while breastfeeding without side effects in babies. If your baby is not feeding as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife. Some medicines can increase the chances of you having side effects with cetirizine.
Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking any medicine that makes you drowsy, gives you a dry mouth, or makes it difficult for you to pee. Taking cetirizine might make these side effects worse. There might be a problem taking some herbal remedies and supplements alongside cetirizine, especially ones that cause sleepiness, a dry mouth, or make it difficult to pee.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Cetirizine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. When you come into contact with something you're allergic to, such as pollen, animal hair or fur, your body produces a chemical called histamine.
Usually histamine is a useful substance, but in an allergic reaction it causes unpleasant symptoms including itchy, watery eyes, a running or blocked nose, sneezing and skin rashes. For example, if you have a reaction to an insect bite, you may only need to take cetirizine for a day or two. You may need to take cetirizine for longer if you're taking it to prevent symptoms — for example, to stop hay fever when the pollen count is high.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure how long you need to take cetirizine for. However it's best to take cetirizine only for as long as you need to. If you take it regularly over a long period there's a very small chance of severe itching if you stop treatment suddenly.
If you've been taking cetirizine every day for a long time, talk to your doctor before stopping it. It's best not to drink alcohol while you're taking cetirizine as it can make you feel sleepy. Cetirizine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, but it's still possible to feel sleepy after taking it.
If this happens to you, do not drive a car, ride a bike, use tools or machinery until you do not feel tired anymore. It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking cetirizine. UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving. That's because it's less likely to make you feel sleepy than sedating antihistamines, such as Piriton chlorphenamine.
Most people prefer to take a non-drowsy antihistamine instead of one that makes them drowsy. An exception is when you want the medicine to make you sleepy — for example, if you have itchy skin that's keeping you awake. Other non-drowsy antihistamines, such as loratadine , desloratadine, fexofenadine and levocetirizine, seem to work just as well as cetirizine.
But cetirizine seems to be more likely to make you feel sleepy than loratadine, desloratadine or fexofenadine. Yes, you can take cetirizine together with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Sometimes doctors recommend that people with a severe, itchy skin rash take 2 different antihistamines together for a few days.
As well as taking a non-drowsy antihistamine during the day such as cetirizine or loratadine , your doctor may advise that you take a drowsy antihistamine at night time if the itching is making it difficult to sleep. Yes, it's fine to take cetirizine together with some other hay fever treatments — for example, steroid nasal sprays such as beclometasone Beconase , Rhinocort Aqua and Flixonase Nasules or eye drops. Your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of cetirizine up to 4 times the usual dose for you or your child, for a severe, itchy skin rash or swelling under the skin angioedema.
Taking high doses of cetirizine is not suitable for everyone though. Speak to your doctor if you think cetirizine is not working for you. There's no evidence to suggest that taking certirizine will reduce fertility in either men or women. Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor before taking it if you're trying to get pregnant. Cetirizine does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception. However, if cetirizine makes you vomit or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.
Check the pill packet to find out what to do. Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. It'll help if you do not spend too much time outside if the pollen count is high. Page last reviewed: 15 October Next review due: 15 October Cetirizine - Brand names: Benadryl Allergy, Piriteze Allergy, Zirtek Allergy On this page About cetirizine Key facts Who can and cannot take cetirizine How and when to take cetirizine Side effects How to cope with side effects of cetirizine Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about cetirizine.
About cetirizine Cetirizine is an antihistamine medicine that helps the symptoms of allergies. It's used to treat: hay fever conjunctivitis red, itchy eye eczema hives urticaria reactions to insect bites and stings some food allergies Cetirizine is known as a non-drowsy antihistamine. It comes as tablets, capsules and as a liquid that you swallow.
Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? It's usual to take cetirizine once a day. Children aged under 12 take it twice a day. Cetirizine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, but some people still find it makes them feel quite sleepy. Common side effects include headaches, dry mouth, feeling sick, dizziness and diarrhoea. Some brands of cetirizine come as capsules.
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