Cetirizine Hydrochloride, Oral se-TIH-ra-zeen hy-droh-KLOR-ide

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihistamine

Generic and brand names: cetirizine, oral; Zyrtec; Zyrtec Chewable; Zyrtec Allergy; Zyrtec Hives Relief; Children’s Zyrtec Allergy; Children’s Zyrtec Hives Relief

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an antihistamine that is used to treat:

• symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, and tearing and itching eyes.
• allergic rhinitis caused by dust mites, animal dander, and molds that may occur at any time of the year. Symptoms relieved are sneezing, runny nose, discharge, itchy nose, and tearing and itching eyes.
• chronic hives in adults and children 2 years old and older. It reduces the occurrence, severity, and duration of hives and reduces the itching.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• liver or kidney disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Usually you will take the medicine once a day with or without food. You may take the medicine at bedtime if it makes you drowsy.

This medicine comes in tablet and liquid (syrup) forms. The syrup is for younger children. Do not give this medicine to young children unless it is prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Do not take more than 2 doses of this medicine in 24 hours.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Taking too much could cause severe drowsiness.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, restlessness.

What should I watch out for?

Do not give a child under age 4 any cough and cold medicines unless specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

This medicine may cause dry mouth. Sucking hard candy, taking sips of water, or chewing sugarless gum may help.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system, such as sleeping pills. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unexplained swelling, numbness, trouble urinating, fainting.

Other: Drowsiness, headache, trouble sleeping, tiredness, weakness, dry mouth, dizziness, sore throat, cough, weight gain, nausea, vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• antihistamines such as azelastine (Astelin), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and fexofenadine (Allegra)
• blood pressure medicines such as methyldopa, and reserpine
• doxylamine (Unisom)
• natural remedies such as ephedra, gotu kola, kava, melatonin, valerian, and yohimbe
• procarbazine (Matulane)
• sleeping pills such as diazepam (Valium), eszopiclone (Lunesta), lorazepam (Ativan), ramelteon (Rozerem), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)
• ritonavir (Norvir)
• theophylline

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.