Question 1

What is cetirizine?

Accepted Answer

Cetirizine hydrochloride, the active component of QUZYTTIR, is a selective histamine-1 (H 1 ) receptor antagonist. The chemical name is (±) –[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl]-1- piperzinyl] ethoxy]acetic acid, dihydrochloride. Cetirizine hydrochloride is a racemic compound with an empirical formula of C 21 H 25 ClN 2 O 3 •2HCl. The molecular weight is 461.82 and the chemical structure is shown below: Cetirizine hydrochloride is a white, crystalline powder and is water soluble. QUZYTTIR is a sterile, clear, colorless, non-pyrogenic, isotonic solution for intravenous injection. Each mL of QUZYTTIR injection contains 10 mg cetirizine hydrochloride (equivalent to cetirizine 8.42 mg) and 6.5 mg sodium chloride, USP to adjust solution tonicity, in water for injection, USP. QUZYTTIR is supplied in 2 mL size amber glass vials for single use. Each 2 mL size amber glass vial contains 1 mL drug solution with 10 mg cetirizine hydrochloride (10 mg/mL). QUZYTTIR's pH is maintained between 4.5 to 6.5 with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid as needed. The osmolality of QUZYTTIR injection is between 255 to 340 mOsmol. Chemical Structure

Question 2

What kind of drug is cetirizine?

Accepted Answer

The FDA classifies cetirizine as a histamine-1 receptor antagonist. H1 antihistamines work by blocking histamine, the chemical released during an allergic reaction, from attaching to H1 receptors. This prevents the sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes, and hives that histamine would otherwise trigger. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Question 3

How long does cetirizine stay in your system?

Accepted Answer

The elimination half-life of cetirizine is about 8.3 hours (mean in healthy adults) — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. This is the parent drug's elimination half-life; cetirizine's only metabolite has negligible antihistaminic activity, so it does not prolong the effect. The half-life is shorter in young children (per the label, roughly 33-41% shorter in ages 2-5 and about 63% shorter in ages 6-23 months) and is expected to be longer in older adults and in people with kidney or liver impairment. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.

Question 4

Can you take cetirizine with other medicines?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run cetirizine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

Question 5

What brand names is cetirizine sold under?

Accepted Answer

We track 13 cetirizine-containing products in the U.S.: Children's Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy, Children's Cetirizine Hydrochloride Hives Relief, Cetirizine Hydrochloride, Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy, Cetirizine Hydrochloride Hives, Children's Zyrtec Allergy, Children's Zyrtec Hives and Children's Zyrtec Hives Relief, and 5 more. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

Question 6

What forms does cetirizine come in?

Accepted Answer

Across the brands we track, cetirizine is currently marketed as solution, tablet, tablet, chewable, tablet, orally disintegrating, syrup, injectable, capsule and kit, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Question 7

Is there a generic cetirizine?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our catalog lists 5 generic cetirizine products alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Question 8

Has cetirizine been recalled?

Accepted Answer

The FDA's Enforcement database lists 3 recall records whose product description mentions cetirizine. The most recent: Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 10 mg (Sep 12, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Children's Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy	70/100	Over-the-counter	Solution	Generic	$0	View →
2	Children's Cetirizine Hydrochloride Hives Relief	70/100	Over-the-counter	Solution

Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
ZYRTEC;D	5 mg / 120 mg	white	round	—
Zyrtec;D	5 mg / 120 mg	white	round	—
915	5 mg / 120 mg	white	round	—
L	5 mg	white	oval	—
SG;136	5 mg	white	oval	—
H;LL	5 mg

Cetirizine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Key facts

How cetirizine is dosed

Cetirizine side effects

Every cetirizine product we track (13)

What cetirizine pills look like

Combination products containing cetirizine

Cetirizine recalls

How long cetirizine stays in your system

Frequently asked questions

Who shouldn’t take cetirizine

Cetirizine drug interactions