Cetirizine Dosage
This dosage information may not include all the information needed to use Cetirizine safely and effectively. See additional information for Cetirizine.
The information at Drugs.com is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Usual Adult Dose for:
Usual Pediatric Dose for:
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis
5 to 10 mg orally or chewed once a day
Usual Adult Dose for Urticaria
5 to 10 mg orally or chewed once a day
Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis
6 months to 2 years: 2.5 mg orally once a day, 12 months and older may be increased to 2.5 mg orally twice a day.
2 to 5 years: 2.5 mg orally once a day, may be increased to 5 mg/day in 1 to 2 divided doses.
6 years or older: 5 to 10 mg orally or chewed once a day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Urticaria
6 months to 2 years: 2.5 mg orally once a day, 12 months and older may be increased to 2.5 mg orally twice a day.
2 to 5 years: 2.5 mg orally once a day, may be increased to 5 mg/day in 1 to 2 divided doses.
6 years or older: 5 to 10 mg orally or chewed once a day.
Renal Dose Adjustments
CrCl less than 30 mL/min: 5 mg orally or chewed once a day.
Use of cetirizine is not recommended in children under 6 years of age with renal impairment due to the difficulty in reliably administering doses less than 2.5 mg (1/2 teaspoonful) and the lack of pharmacokinetic and safety information of cetirizine in such patients.
Liver Dose Adjustments
5 mg orally or chewed once a day
Use of cetirizine is not recommended in children under 6 years of age with hepatic impairment due to the difficulty in reliably administering doses less than 2.5 mg (1/2 teaspoonful) and the lack of pharmacokinetic and safety information of cetirizine in such patients.
Precautions
In clinical trials, the occurrence of somnolence has been reported. Due caution should therefore be exercised when driving a car or operating potential dangerous machinery. Concurrent use of alcohol or other CNS depressants should be avoided because additional reductions in alertness and additional impairment of CNS performance may occur.
Dialysis
Cetirizine is not significantly removed by hemodialysis, thus supplementary dosing is not required following hemodialysis. The recommended dosage for patients on hemodialysis is 5 mg orally or chewed once a day.
See also...
- Cetirizine Side Effects
- Cetirizine Drug Interactions
- Cetirizine consumer information
- Alleroff Syrup (cetirizine hydrochloride) syrup dosage information
- Childrens All Day Allergy Liquid (cetirizine hydrochloride) liquid dosage information
- Equaline All Day Allergy (cetirizine hydrochloride) tablet dosage information
- Leader All Day Allergy (cetirizine hydrochloride) tablet dosage information
- Zyrtec (cetirizine hydrochloride) tablet, film coated dosage information
- Zyrtec (cetirizine) consumer information
- Zyrtec Tablets (cetirizine hydrochloride) tablets, chewable tablets, syrup dosage information
