Zyrtec (Cetirizine Hydrochloride) - Summary

ZYRTEC SUMMARY

ZYRTEC^®
(cetirizine hydrochloride)
Tablets, Chewable Tablets and Syrup
For Oral Use

Cetirizine hydrochloride, the active component of ZYRTEC^® tablets and syrup, is an orally active and selective H₁-receptor antagonist.

ZYRTEC is indicated for the following:

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: ZYRTEC is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis due to allergens such as ragweed, grass and tree pollens in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Symptoms treated effectively include sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal pruritus, ocular pruritus, tearing, and redness of the eyes.

Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: ZYRTEC is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis due to allergens such as dust mites, animal dander and molds in adults and children 6 months of age and older. Symptoms treated effectively include sneezing, rhinorrhea, postnasal discharge, nasal pruritus, ocular pruritus, and tearing.

Chronic Urticaria: ZYRTEC is indicated for the treatment of the uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children 6 months of age and older. It significantly reduces the occurrence, severity, and duration of hives and significantly reduces pruritus.

See all Zyrtec indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Zyrtec (Cetirizine)

Effect of cetirizine on symptom severity and quality of life in perennial allergic rhinitis. [2014]
The effect of cetirizine on quality of life (QOL) in subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) has been previously evaluated using generic instruments... Cetirizine 10 mg daily produced significant improvements in symptom severity and allergic rhinitis-related QOL compared with placebo in adults with PAR.

Clinical effectiveness and safety of cetirizine versus rupatadine in chronic spontaneous urticaria: a randomized, double-blind, 6-week trial. [2014]
advantages over cetirizine... CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in MTSS, MNW, size of wheals, intensity of erythema,

Effect of combination of montelukast and levocetirizine on otitis media with effusion: a prospective, placebo-controlled trial. [2013]
in children... CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that treatment with montelukast in

Double dose of cetirizine hydrochloride is effective for patients with urticaria resistant: a prospective, randomized, non-blinded, comparative clinical study and assessment of quality of life. [2013]
wheal or itching, despite the treatment with the standard dose of cetirizine... CONCLUSION: Doubling the dose of cetirizine may be efficacious to the patients

Comparison of the sedating effects of levocetirizine and cetirizine: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2011.12]
BACKGROUND: Compared with placebo, levocetirizine has been found to be less sedating than cetirizine in separate trials. However, whether levocetirizine is less sedating than its parent drug cetirizine has not yet been studied in a randomized trial. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether levocetirizine is less sedating than cetirizine... CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a perceived history of sedation with cetirizine, most were able to tolerate levocetirizine. However, this controlled trial also suggests that many of these patients would tolerate cetirizine if given in a masked manner. Therefore, patients with a history of mild to moderate sedation with cetirizine are unlikely to experience a different sedation profile with levocetirizine. Copyright (c) 2011 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Clinical Trials Related to Zyrtec (Cetirizine)

Randomized Phase III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Xyzal� (Levocetirizine) vs Zyrtec� (Cetirizine) in Subjects With Dermatitis and Eczema [Completed]
Korean double-blind non-inferiority study to asses the efficacy (as measured by the responder rate of pruritus severity score by the patient at visit 4 or end-of-treatment visit over the 2 weeks treatment period) and safety of Xyzal® to Zyrtec® in subjects suffering from dermatitis and eczema with pruritus symptoms

Preference for Clarinex Tablets vs. Zyrtec Tablets in Patients With Allergies (P03180) [Completed]
This was a crossover study designed to see if patients with allergy symptoms preferred Clarinex® or Zyrtec®. Patients were randomized to take 7 days of Clarinex or Zyrtec treatment, followed by a 5 to 28-day washout period (days when no drug is given), followed by 7 days of the opposite treatment. At the end of each 7-day treatment, patients were asked questions to determine which drug, Clarinex or Zyrtec, the patient prefers more.

Preference for Clarinex Tablets vs. Zyrtec Tablets in Patients With Allergies (P03182) [Completed]
This was a crossover study designed to see if patients with allergy symptoms preferred Clarinex® or Zyrtec®. Patients were randomized to take 7 days of Clarinex or Zyrtec treatment, followed by a 5 to 28-day washout period (days when no drug is given), followed by 7 days of the opposite treatment. At the end of each 7-day treatment, patients were asked questions to determine which drug, Clarinex or Zyrtec, the patient prefers more.

Preference for Clarinex Tablets vs. Zyrtec Tablets in Patients With Allergies (P03181) [Completed]
This was a crossover study designed to see if patients with allergy symptoms preferred Clarinex® or Zyrtec®. Patients were randomized to take 7 days of Clarinex or Zyrtec treatment, followed by a 5 to 28-day washout period (days when no drug is given), followed by 7 days of the opposite treatment. At the end of each 7-day treatment, patients were asked questions to determine which drug, Clarinex or Zyrtec, the patient prefers more.

Multi-Center, Pediatric, Open-Label, Preference Study of Desloratadine 2.5 mg Reditab (SCH34117) and Zyrtec ® 5.0 mg Chewable Tablet Medications (Study P04573) (Completed) [Completed]
The primary objective of this study was to determine whether children ages 6-11 years prefer desloratadine RediTabs (2. 5 mg) or a marketed competitor (Zyrtec® 5 mg Chewable Tablets). The secondary objectives of this study were to compare acceptance of the two attributes, taste and feeling in the mouth, of desloratadine 2. 5 mg RediTabs and Zyrtec® 5 mg Chewable Tablets

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Reports of Suspected Zyrtec (Cetirizine) Side Effects

Withdrawal Syndrome (32),  OFF Label USE (28),  Urticaria (26),  Wrong Drug Administered (26),  Pruritus (25),  Dizziness (16),  Depression (14),  Insomnia (13),  Somnolence (12),  Overdose (12), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Zyrtec review by care giver of 16 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		hives, itching, swelling due to allergies
Dosage & duration:		1 teaspoon daily (dosage frequency: once a day) for the period of 5 years
Other conditions:		None
Other drugs taken:		None
		Reported Results
Benefits:		No allergic reactions while taking daily doses of Zyrtec and no side effects at all.
Side effects:		None
Comments:		My son had been having terrible problems with allergies. The cause is still unknown. Constant hives, itching and worst of all his lips & eyes would swell excessively to the point where he couldn't leave the house. He was prescribed Zyrtec 5 years ago and the only time he has a reaction is when he forgets to take his daily dose. It has been wonderful. Absolutely no side effects.

Zyrtec review by 38 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		allergies
Dosage & duration:		10 mg taken 1/day for the period of as needed for months
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		helped decrease reactions to common allergens. I have hay fever every spring and Zyrtec helped with the common symptoms of hay fever. Helped decrease sneezing, runny nose and decreased reactivity to allergens experienced during the spring season when my allergies are the worst.
Side effects:		dry nose, slight bleeding of nose. Otherwise, no other symptoms, no drowsiness, no nausea or any other side effects
Comments:		took as symptoms of seasonal allergies started. Used primarily 1 pill per day maybe 3-5 times per week from April to September.

Zyrtec review by 28 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Rhinitis
Dosage & duration:		2 times 10 mg/day taken 60 times (about a month worth of doses) for the period of about a month
Other conditions:		AV reentry tachycardia
Other drugs taken:		Cardizem
		Reported Results
Benefits:		My allergy symptoms got much better. But thats what one would expect. There is not much more to say, i am just filling the "50 words", so go on reading.
Side effects:		Very high blood pressure
Comments:		Since taking Zyrtec, my bloodpressure rose very high. First i did not recognize this was because of the Zyrtec, but discontinuing the drug brought back normal blood pressure.