Take one tablet once daily during hay fever season or whenever symptoms occur.
Swallow tablets whole with water to help them go down easily.
Do not take more than one tablet in 24 hours. If you do, contact your doctor immediately.
| Type of medicine | Antihistamine - second generation |
| Used for | Allergic rhinitis |
| Active ingredient(s) | Cetirizine hydrochloride |
| Works by | Blocking the effects of histamine |
| Effective within | 1 hour |
| Available as | Tablets |
| Available strength | 10mg |
| Usage | One tablet once a day |
| Manufacturer | Blister pack |
| Packaging | Various |
| Storage | Store at room temperature and keep out of reach and sight from children |
| Prescription required? | No |
| Who can consult | Adults with allergic rhinitis |
Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine that helps relieve symptoms of hay fever and other allergies. It works by reducing the amount of histamine in the body, which causes sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, a runny or blocked nose, and other allergy symptoms.
Yes. Cetirizine and Zyrtec contain the same active ingredient, cetirizine.
Cetirizine is a generic version, whilst Zyrtec is the branded version. Both work the same way to relieve hay fever and allergy symptoms.
Anyone with symptoms of hay fever or allergies can take cetirizine.
Do not take cetirizine if you:
Use with caution if you:
For a complete list of precautions and medicine interactions, consult the patient information leaflet.
Common side effects include:
Less common side effects include:
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction such as:
Cetirizine can cause drowsiness and fatigue so caution is advised when driving or operating machinery.
Cetirizine usually starts to take effect within an hour, with the full effect often felt 1-3 hours after taking it.
You will need to complete a short consultation form. This allows our doctors to check that the medicine is safe and appropriate for you.
If suitable, your treatment will be prepared and dispatched directly to you.
Excellent
4.5
551 patients have reviewed our service on Trustpilot