What Is ZYRTEC® & What is it Used For?

Common indoor allergens include dust mites, pet dander and indoor mold. Outdoor allergens, depending on the season and your location, include grass pollen, tree pollen and outdoor mold. These allergens can seem like invaders to your body and trigger allergy symptoms as your body reacts.

ZYRTEC® contains cetirizine HCL, which is an antihistamine that relieves allergy symptoms.

The ZYRTEC® (cetirizine) family of products temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other respiratory allergies:

Runny Nose

Sneezing

Itchy Watery Eyes

Itching of the nose or throat

ZYRTEC-D® is a 2-in-1 allergy medicine, combining cetirizine HCl with a nasal decongestant. It 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

Nasal congestion

Reduces swelling of nasal passages

Temporarily relieves sinus congestion and pressure

Temporarily restores freer breathing through the nose

What Does ZYRTEC® Do?

When you have an allergic reaction, your body releases chemicals called histamines to fight the allergen. Histamines are responsible for causing your allergy asymptoms.¹ Antihistamines, like the one found in ZYRTEC products, work by blocking the effects of histamine. ^2,3 This helps provide relief from allergy symptoms.

Why Take ZYRTEC®?

When you're dealing with allergy symptoms, you want fast relief. With ZYRTEC®, you can start feeling relief at hour one on the first day you take ZYRTEC®, and it provides 24-hour relief that lasts all day and night.

ZYRTEC® is the #1 Allergist recommended brand when it comes to over-the-counter oral antihistamines for effectively treating allergy symptoms.

Who is ZYRTEC® suitable for?

ZYRTEC® is a family of products designed to provide relief for both adults and children. When it comes to over-the-counter oral antihistamines, ZYRTEC® is not only the top choice recommended by physicians for allergies, but it's also the number one choice recommended by pediatricians for children with allergies.

The ZYRTEC® dosage guide has the recommended dosage for different age groups for each product.

When & How often to take ZYRTEC^®

Wondering when is the best time to take allergy medicine? The great news is that you can take ZYRTEC® at any time of the day! It provides 24-hour relief, so you can feel better all day long. Just remember to follow the recommended dosage instructions on the product packaging or check out our dosage chart if you have any questions

How to Take ZYRTEC® Tablets or Liquids

ZYRTEC® Tablets:

For adults and children 6 years and older, follow these directions for using ZYRTEC® Tablets:

• Take one 10 mg tablet once daily.
• Do not take more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours.
• A 5 mg product may be appropriate for less severe symptoms.
• Read and follow the label, including the Directions, before taking this over-the-counter allergy medication.

ZYRTEC® Liquids:

For adults and children 6 years and older, follow these directions for using ZYRTEC® Liquids:

• Take 5 mL or 10 mL once daily depending upon severity of symptoms
• Do not take more than 10 mL in 24 hours
• Adults 65 years or over: take 5 mL once daily, do not take more than 5 mL in 24 hours
• Children 2 to under 6 years of age: take 2.5 mL once daily. If needed, dose can be increased to a maximum of 5 mL once daily or 2.5 mL every 12 hours. Do not give more than 5 mL in 24 hours.

If you have questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.  Explore usage information for other ZYRTEC® Products.

ZYRTEC® 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 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.

Considering Using ZYRTEC®?

If you have questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist, or see our ZYRTEC® FAQs for more information. You also can download the ZYRTEC® ALLERGYCAST® app* to get a daily pollen forecast and to track your allergy symptoms.