What is ZYRTEC^® 5mg & What is it Used For?

Today you’re in an air-conditioned office, tomorrow you’re out for a hike. The next day, a trip to a dusty bookstore where you find that rare first edition, then a trip to the park to read it. If your lifestyle and environment change from day to day, the severity of your indoor and outdoor allergies will likely vary as well.

So why should your allergy treatment stay the same regardless of your environment? That’s where ZYRTEC® 5mg comes in.

Bottle of Zyrtec Cetirizine HCl 5mg allergy tablets on a green background with a disclaimer to use the product as directed.

Made with the same Cetirizine HCl antihistamine formula you already rely on from ZYRTEC® 10mg, our new, smaller tablets let you match the severity of your symptoms with the dose that’s right for you. Whether you take 1 tablet for light allergy symptoms, or 2 tablets* for more moderate hay fever treatment, the power is in your hands with our new 5mg tablets.

So how can you get 24 hours of mild allergy relief tailored to your specific needs? And what makes ZYRTEC® 5mg an ideal allergy medicine for seniors? Read ahead to learn all about the new low dose antihistamine from ZYRTEC®.

*Once daily

What is ZYRTEC^® 5mg?

So, what is ZYRTEC^® used for?

ZYRTEC^® 5mg allergy tablets are an antihistamine allergy medication that help relieve indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms. Antihistamines are a class of drugs that blocks histamine, a chemical released by the immune system that causes allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose and throat, and itchy, watery eyes. In other words, when your immune system starts to respond to allergens, an antihistamine like ZYRTEC^® 5mg can help block bothersome symptoms.

For years, ZYRTEC^® has been a reliable indoor and outdoor allergy treatment but has only been available in the 10mg dose. That means that whether you are having mild allergy symptoms or a full-blown sneezing fit, your option for allergy treatment has been the same: a 10mg tablet.

But now with ZYRTEC^® 5mg allergy tablets, you have more control over how you respond to allergy symptoms. With this low dose allergy medicine, you can take either one or two tablets, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Some key benefits to the lower dose include:

More flexibility to relieve allergy symptoms: Choose just the right amount of allergy medicine for the symptoms you have: 1 ZYRTEC^® 5mg tablet for mild symptoms or 2 tablets for more severe symptoms.
Suitable for daily use as a hay fever treatment: ZYRTEC^® 5mg is proven to work for 24 hours. The convenience of a 5mg tablet means that you can take it either once or twice daily, depending on how bad your allergy symptoms are on that given day.
Allergy medicine for seniors:Those aged 65 and up who suffer from allergies require a lesser dose than the standard 10mg ZYRTEC^® tablet. 5mg of ZYRTEC^® is the appropriate dose for allergy sufferers who are 65 years and above.
More convenient: You no longer have to worry about breaking those tiny tablets in half if you only want to take a partial dose. With ZYRTEC^® 5mg, an accurately dosed 5mg tablet is readily available for your use.

Why Choose ZYRTEC^® 5mg?

If you are a light or moderate allergy sufferer, ZYRTEC^® 5mg is the only low dose offering with 24-hour relief. Other beautiful benefits of this low dose allergy medicine include:

A tailored approach: Match the severity of your current symptoms with the dose that’s right for you. If you are having light symptoms, you can take one 5mg tablet. If your symptoms feel more intense, or are continuing after your first tablet, you can take a second dose. Either way, ZYRTEC^® 5mg allows you to match the treatment to your specific needs.
Know how to treat allergies: You know your body best. The flexibility of the 5mg tablet puts the power in your hands, allowing you to address allergy symptoms with the dosage that is right for you—a single tablet or two tablets, depending on your own current symptoms.
Hay Fever treatment: Hay Fever, also known as Allergic Rhinitis, refers to an allergic reaction to triggers like pollen, pet dander, mold, and insects.⁴ ZYRTEC^® 5mg is an antihistamine that can block some of the most unpleasant symptoms of hay fever.

Who Should Take ZYRTEC^® 5mg?

Whether you experience seasonal allergies or perennial (year-round) allergies, the ZYRTEC^® lineup of products can help reduce the peskiest of symptoms, like sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose and throat , and itchy, watery eyes. But who should be taking a low dose allergy medicine like ZYRTEC^® 5mg?

Seniors and older adults: ZYRTEC 5mg is an ideal allergy medicine for seniors 65 years and above. With increasing age, older adults will likely have reduced drug metabolism, where a smaller dose is required.² ZYRTEC^® 5mg is an ideal allergy medicine for older adults because it delivers a tailored dose of reliable, 24-hour relief for indoor and outdoor allergies.
Occasional allergy sufferers: Maybe you only experience allergy symptoms from time to time, like during a season of high pollen, when interacting with a friend’s pet cat, or during a deep clean of a dusty basement. Maybe you don’t take any allergy medication at all, since your allergy symptoms are so infrequent. If this describes you, you might benefit from using ZYRTEC^® 5mg, as the small dose and flexibility can help target these untreated allergy symptoms in a dose that is appropriate for your particular needs. Soon, you’ll know exactly how to treat seasonal allergies in the way that’s right for you.

When to Use Low Dose Allergy Medication

Not everyone experiences year-round allergies. Many people only notice allergy symptoms during a seasonal allergy flare-up. An allergy season is the time of year where your particular allergy symptoms become heightened. Since different plants release pollen at different times of the year, allergy season is different for everyone. But even if you experience mild allergies only a few weeks a year, symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose can be unpleasant to live with.

If you’re seeking relief from seasonal or mild environmental allergens, ZYRTEC® 5mg might be an ideal choice. The low-dose allergy medicine can give you just the right amount of relief, without causing you to take more medication than you need. Plus, the flexibility of the 5mg option allows you to take either one or two tablets* depending on how severe your symptoms are.

*Once daily

What are Considered Mild Allergy Symptoms?

ZYRTEC^® 5mg targets mild allergy symptoms and seasonal allergy flare-ups. But what exactly does that entail? If you suffer from light allergies, mild allergy symptoms may include:³

How to Take ZYRTEC^® 5mg Tablets

To get 24-hour relief from indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms, take 1 to 2 tablets once daily depending on the severity of your symptoms. Adults 65 and older take only one tablet per day.

For additional ZYRTEC^® instructions, view our helpful dosage guide, which will give you dosing instructions for all products in the ZYRTEC^® lineup. Additionally, see how ZYRTEC^® compares to other over-the-counter, low dose allergy medications with our comparison guide.

ZYRTEC^® 5mg Safety

When using ZYRTEC^® with cetirizine, like any medication, you may experience side-effects such as drowsiness.

Side-effects usually go away on their own as your body adjusts to the allergy medication. If side-effects become bothersome, it’s best to consult your doctor.

Before taking ZYRTEC^®, it’s important to speak to your doctor if you have allergies, are taking other medications, have kidney or liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Avoid alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers while taking ZYRTEC^® as they may increase drowsiness. Read the full warning section on the drug facts label and follow package directions for dosing.

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