Cetirizine
/api/v1/drug/cetirizineMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAMechanism-of-action class: Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonists.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- 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
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDADirections may be taken with or without water chew or crush tablets completely before swallowing children 2 to under 6 years of age Chew and swallow 1 tablet (2.5 mg) once daily; If needed, dose can be increased to a maximum of 2 tablets (5 mg) once daily or 1 tablet (2.5 mg) every 12 hours. Do not give more than 2 tablets (5 mg) in 24 hours. adults and children 6 years and over Chew and swallow 2 tablets (5 mg) or 4 tablets (10 mg) once daily depending upon severity of symptoms; do not take more than 4 tablets (10 mg) in 24 hours. adults 65 years and over Chew and swallow 2 tablets (5 mg) once daily; do not take more than 2 tablets (5 mg) in 24 hours. children under 2 years of age ask a doctor consumers with liver or kidney disease ask a doctor
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDADo 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)
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Dec 8, 1995NDANDA019835Kenvue Brands
- Aug 10, 2001NDANDA021150Kenvue Brands
- Mar 16, 2004NDANDA021621Kenvue Brands
- Nov 16, 2007NDANDA022155Kenvue Brands
- Jul 23, 2009NDANDA022429Bionpharma
- Sep 3, 2010NDANDA022578Kenvue Brands
- May 30, 2017NDANDA208694Harrow Eye
- Oct 4, 2019NDANDA211415Esteve
FAERS reports
- 1Drug Ineffective21,87413%
- 2Fatigue19,06811%
- 3Pain16,0749.5%
- 4Off Label Use14,2688.4%
- 5Rash13,4367.9%
- 6Headache12,8417.6%
- 7Pruritus12,5897.4%
- 8Nausea12,0897.1%
- 9Dyspnoea11,3206.7%
- 10Abdominal Discomfort10,6396.3%
- 11Alopecia10,5306.2%
- 12Arthralgia10,4136.1%
- 13Diarrhoea10,0935.9%
- 14Hypersensitivity9,9265.8%
- 15Rheumatoid Arthritis9,2515.4%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Cetirizine as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Spectral residual augmented classical least squares for simultaneous green determination of cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine by UV spectrophotometry in pharmaceuticals and environmental samples.Scientific reports · 2026 · Alqahtani A, Alqahtani T, Alshehri A, et al.PMID 42236886DOI 10.1038/s41598-026-56246-6
- The Elevated Eosinophil Counts and Neutrophils/Lymphocytes Ratio as Predicting Biomarkers in Non-responders, Chronic Spontaneous Urticarial Patients to Cetirizine/Famotidine Treatment.Iranian journal of allergy, asthma, and immunology · 2026 · Khalili A, Estakhri Z, Shams A, et al.PMID 42130137DOI 10.18502/ijaai.v25i3.21253
- Delayed hypersensitivity reaction to cetirizine suggesting involvement of piperazine ring: a case report.Allergologia et immunopathologia · 2026 · Libon F, Caron J, Herman A, et al.PMID 42115804DOI 10.15586/aei.v54i3.1531
- Targeted transferosomal delivery of cetirizine: A new approach to alopecia management.PloS one · 2026 · Zelai NTPMID 42030261DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0347648
- Cetirizine in wastewater treatment- monitoring, removal, risks and metabolite identification.Water research · 2026 · Zhong J, Naschenweng D, Tisler S, et al.PMID 41955984DOI 10.1016/j.watres.2026.125787
- Experimental Approach to Inducing Anti-Histaminergic Placebo Effects: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Volunteers.Neuroimmunomodulation · 2026 · Hölsken S, Holubek E, Krefting F, et al.PMID 41662366DOI 10.1159/000549975
- Temperature- and pH-responsive cetirizine hydrochloride in situ gels for enhanced ocular delivery in allergic conjunctivitis.International journal of pharmaceutics · 2026 · Ma X, Jia J, Chen J, et al.PMID 41605383DOI 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2026.126619
- Concurrent removal of cetirizine hydrochloride and biodiesel accumulation in Chlorella vulgaris.Journal of hazardous materials · 2026 · Yan WB, Zhang ZH, He GH, et al.PMID 41570536DOI 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.141195
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 137 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Cetirizine as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Alpelisib/iNOS Inhibitor/Nab-paclitaxel in Patients With HER2 Negative Metaplastic Breast Cancer (MpBC)Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 36 enrolled · The Methodist Hospital Research InstituteNCT05660083updated 2026-06-04
- EFFECT OF AYURVEDA TREATMENT IN ALLERGIC RHINITISNot yet recruiting · Interventional · 104 enrolled · Amrita Vishwa VidyapeethamNCT07626099updated 2026-06-04
- Comparing Standard-Dose and High-Dose Cetirizine for Acute UrticariaRecruiting · Interventional · 140 enrolled · University of PhayaoNCT07236372updated 2026-06-03
- A Prospective, Single-centre, Observational Cohort Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Bacterial Lysate (OM-85) in Combination With Antihistamines for the Treatment of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)Not yet recruiting · Observational · 132 enrolled · The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineNCT07557888updated 2026-05-07
- IMPOWER-QoL: IMPact Of Discontinuing Premedication for WEekly Paclitaxel on bReast Cancer Patient's Quality Of LifeNot yet recruiting · Interventional · 50 enrolled · Charles LeMoyne HospitalNCT07478315updated 2026-03-17
- Alternate Pre-med in Anti-Cluster of Differentiation 20 (CD20) Pilot ProjectNot yet recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 60 enrolled · University of MiamiNCT07472413updated 2026-03-16
- An Open-Label, Single-Arm, Dose-Escalation Phase I Study Evaluating the Safety, Tolerability, and Preliminary Efficacy of EDB-102 in Patients With EGFR L858R-Mutant, Third-Generation TKI-Resistant Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Liver MetastasesNot yet recruiting · Phase 1 · Interventional · 15 enrolled · Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesNCT07461727updated 2026-03-10
- Rash & Diarrhea Prophylaxis With CapivasertibNot yet recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 108 enrolled · Maryam LustbergNCT07426822updated 2026-02-24
- A Multi-dose Study of ARC-520 in Patients With Hepatitis B 'e' Antigen (HBeAg) Positive, Chronic Hepatitis B Virus InfectionTerminated · Phase 2 · Interventional · 32 enrolled · Arrowhead PharmaceuticalsNCT02604212updated 2026-01-13
- A Study of ARC-520 at Varying Infusion Rates in Healthy Adult VolunteersCompleted · Phase 1 · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Arrowhead PharmaceuticalsNCT02535416updated 2026-01-13
Structural analogs
Ranked by 2D fingerprint (Tanimoto) similarity over PubChem structures. Structural proximity only — not a claim of therapeutic equivalence.
Frequently asked questions
- How does Cetirizine work?
- Mechanism-of-action class: Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonists.
- What is Cetirizine used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Cetirizine carries indications including: 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. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Cetirizine?
- Cetirizine is classified as Other antiallergics, Piperazine derivatives, Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist, Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonists, Decreased Histamine Activity.
- What are the brand names for Cetirizine?
- Cetirizine is marketed under brand names including Aller-Tec, Aller-Tec D, Alleroff, Quzyttir, Wal Zyr 24 Hour Allergy, Wal Zyr D, Wal-Zyr, Zerviate.
cetirizine is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.