Cetirizine, Childrens Zyrtec OTC (allergy), FT Allergy Relief Childrens OTC (zyrtec), Adult Zyrtec OTC (allergy)

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on June 27, 2023

This article describes cetirizine’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of cetirizine.

Note that prescription cetirizine is used only in some children. Over-the-counter (OTC) versions of cetirizine may be used in adults as well as some children. OTC means you don’t need a prescription to purchase these drugs.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of cetirizine. To find coupons for OTC forms of cetirizine, see this article.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about cetirizine.

Does cetirizine come as an oral tablet?

Yes, cetirizine comes as an oral tablet. This form of the drug is available over the counter (OTC). OTC means you don’t need a prescription to purchase these drugs.

Cetirizine also comes as a chewable tablet and a liquid-filled oral capsule, both also available OTC.

To learn more about OTC versions of cetirizine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is cetirizine similar to loratadine?

Yes, cetirizine is similar to loratadine (Claritin). They’re both allergy medications. Specifically, they’re both second-generation antihistamines. This type of antihistamine is less likely to cause drowsiness than certain other antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). They usually last longer, too.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how cetirizine and loratadine compare.

How does cetirizine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Cetirizine works by blocking histamine.

Histamine is a chemical the immune system releases. It causes allergy symptoms, including hives and itchiness. By blocking histamine, cetirizine helps relieve these symptoms.

Cetirizine should start to work within an hour of taking it. Its effects should last about 24 hours.

If you’d like to know more about how cetirizine works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as cetirizine for certain conditions. Approved uses for cetirizine are described below.

Use for certain allergies

Doctors may prescribe cetirizine oral liquid solution for treating:

• certain allergies, such as hay fever, in children ages 6–23 months
• chronic urticaria (recurring hives) in children ages 6 months to 5 years

For these purposes, cetirizine is usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With allergies, the immune system releases a chemical called histamine as a reaction to allergens. This term refers to substances that may cause an allergic reaction. Examples of allergens include:

• animal dander (flakes of skin)
• dust mites
• drugs
• foods
• insect venom
• latex
• mold spores
• pollen

Histamine causes allergy symptoms, such as itching, sneezing, and a runny nose. With recurring hives, the histamine release causes a rash with skin discoloration, itching, and swelling. Cetirizine can help relieve these symptoms.

Cetirizine oral liquid solution may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of cetirizine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your child’s age, overall health, and any other medications they take.

To learn more about cetirizine’s side effects, ask your child’s doctor or a pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for cetirizine listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of cetirizine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about cetirizine’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for cetirizine listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If cetirizine’s side effects are bothersome for your child, tell your child’s doctor or a pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Cetirizine oral liquid solution’s mild side effects include:

• abdominal pain
• drowsiness
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for cetirizine” section.

Serious side effects

Cetirizine oral liquid solution may cause serious side effects.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about cetirizine’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information listed for cetirizine in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If your child has serious side effects from this drug, call their doctor right away. If your child is having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, cetirizine’s serious side effects include severe allergic reaction. For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for cetirizine” section.

Below, you’ll find information about cetirizine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of cetirizine

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before your child takes cetirizine oral liquid solution, ask their doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following your child takes or uses:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for cetirizine” section just below.

Warnings for cetirizine

Some children should not take cetirizine oral liquid solution, and others should take it cautiously.

Cetirizine could cause harm to children with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether cetirizine is a safe option for your child.

Ask your child’s doctor about specific warnings for cetirizine, and be sure to tell them about your child’s:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Cetirizine oral liquid solution can cause an allergic reaction in some children. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If your child has had an allergic reaction to cetirizine or any of its ingredients, their doctor will likely not prescribe cetirizine. The doctor can tell you about medications that are safer options for your child.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under the skin, usually in the hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of the mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If your child has an allergic reaction to cetirizine, call their doctor right away. If your child has severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of cetirizine

If your child takes cetirizine oral liquid solution, you should not give them more cetirizine than their doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think your child has taken too much cetirizine, call their doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If your child has concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also take them to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and cetirizine

Prescription cetirizine is only approved for children ages 5 and younger, depending on the use. The manufacturer of prescription cetirizine oral liquid solution does not provide recommendations for taking the drug during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

For information about allergy treatments you might take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

This article describes cetirizine oral liquid solution’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your child’s doctor know if you have questions about prescription cetirizine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your child’s doctor:

• How does cetirizine compare with other drugs that could treat my child’s condition?
• What is the best time of day to give my child cetirizine?
• Can adults take cetirizine?

• Cetirizine hydrochloride oral solution USP, 5 mg/5mL (1 mg/mL). (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e626bd59-dd18-465c-b740-9d04eb48c28e/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.