The maximum recommended daily dose is 20 mg, do not exceed this dose, unless told to do so by your doctor. The usual dose of ZYRTEC oral solution is 10 mL, once a day. In children over 6 years of age, the daily dose of 10 mg is given as a single or divided dose.
Cetirizine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, itching eyes/nose, sneezing, hives, and itching.
From the limited evidence available, cetirizine 20 mg appears to be well tolerated. Some people may be prepared to risk adverse effects such as drowsiness in order to reduce symptoms.
The recommended dose is 5 mg twice daily as half a tablet twice a day. Adults and children aged 12 years and over: The recommended dose is 10 mg once daily as one tablet.
Taking 10mg of Zyrtec is more effective than taking 5mg; taking 20mg appears not to provide any additional effect. Food has no effect on the overall absorption of Zyrtec; however, it may increase the time it takes for peak levels of Zyrtec to be reached in the blood.
If a healthy adult takes only a slightly higher dose of antihistamine, such as accidentally taking two pills instead of one, their symptoms may not be serious, or they may not have any symptoms. However, a larger overdose, especially in children or older adults, may cause serious symptoms.
For cetirizine
Adults—5 to 10 milligrams (mg) once a day. Children 6 years of age and older—5 to 10 mg once a day. Children 4 to 6 years of age—2.5 mg once a day, up to a maximum of 5 mg once a day or 2.5 mg twice a day. Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .
Taking two 10mg tablets should not cause you to have any serious problems. HOwever, if you notice anything unusual or have any negative side effects, you should contact your doctor or visit an ER to rule out any possible complications.
In dermatology, cetirizine has proven to be effective in the treatment of various forms of urticaria and it reduces the pruritus of atopic eczema. For these conditions, frequently doses higher than 10 mg (up to 40 mg) are recommended to achieve the best benefit.
Peak concentrations are reached within one hour of administration of cetirizine tablets or syrup. The onset of effect occurs within 20 minutes in 50% of people and within an hour in 95%. Effects persist for at least 24 hours following a single dose of cetirizine.
Cetirizine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
This leads to clearing of nasal congestion, but it may also cause an increase in blood pressure in patients who have high blood pressure. This medicine is available without a prescription.
The recommended dose range of cetirizine for the treatment of hay fever, allergies, or hives is 5 to 10 mg. The maximum recommended dose for cetirizine is 10 mg daily.
However, toxicity usually occurs when a person ingests three to five times the recommended dosage. To avoid life-threatening complications, call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have any symptom of an overdose. You can also call the Poison Control Help Line at 800-222-1222.
Do NOT "double-up" on a dose. Do NOT take a dose sooner than you're supposed to. Do NOT take two different antihistamines at the same time. Instead, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble finding a drug that works well for your allergy symptoms.
If there is no histamine, then antihistamines can't relieve symptoms. If antihistamines aren't working for you and you have allergy-like symptoms, it may not be a bad allergy season—but instead something non-allergic you're reacting to.
Cetirizine is generally very safe. Taking more than the usual dose is unlikely to harm you or your child.
Five incidents of cetirizine overdose in children have been reported previously. Drowsiness and sedation were observed, but no other side effects. The risk of cardiac events related to an overdose of cetirizine is extremely small. A certain degree of sedation is to be expected.
Avoid the use of alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers as cetirizine can increase the risk of drowsiness. Cetirizine may cause central nervous system depression; avoid activities requiring mental alertness until accustomed to the medication.
As a result, the use of this drug may increase the number of premature atrial beats and facilitate the development of AF. Therefore, the several studies showing that the risk of QT prolongation and arrhythmias is lower with cetirizine compared to other anti-H1 medications.
Cetirizine can be taken at any time of the day. In most people it is non-sedating, so they take it in the morning. However, a percentage of people do find it to be sedating so if it does make you drowsy it is best to take it in the evening.
Yes. Cetirizine HCl is the active ingredient in all Zyrtec allergy medications. Many of our products contain 10 mg of cetirizine to provide 24-hour relief from your allergy symptoms. Zyrtec-D contains 5 mg plus a decongestant and is a 12-hour product.
Greg Panico, a spokesman for Janssen Pharmaceutica, which is owned by Johnson and Johnson, said that the withdrawal was a voluntary business decision. “The decision to voluntarily discontinue it recognises that the allergy marketplace is crowded with a number of other drugs,” Mr Panico said.
One study also suggests cetirizine and hydroxyzine have a greater chance of causing anxiety and mood changes than other antihistamines. Hydroxyzine can also be used to treat anxiety conditions. So if you notice your symptoms worsen after starting this medication, contact your provider to discuss it further.
The plasma half-life of cetirizine is approximately 8 hours. A single 10 mg oral dose of cetirizine suppresses a histamine-induced wheal within 20 to 60 minutes, and this effect can last up to 24 hours.