Questions about ZYRTEC®
What is ZYRTEC®?
ZYRTEC® is an over-the-counter medicine that provides effective, 24-hour relief of indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms.
What allergy symptoms does ZYRTEC® relieve?
ZYRTEC® relieves your worst allergy symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and itchy nose or throat.
Is ZYRTEC® an antihistamine?
Yes. ZYRTEC® contains cetirizine HCl, which is an antihistamine.
What is an antihistamine?
An antihistamine is a drug that blocks the action of histamine—an allergy-causing chemical that’s released by certain cells in the body. Antihistamines are used to treat runny nose, sneezing and other allergy symptoms.
Should I take ZYRTEC® with food?
Your choice. ZYRTEC® can be taken either with or without food.
How fast does ZYRTEC® start working?
ZYRTEC® begins to work at hour 1 on the first day you take it.
How long does ZYRTEC® last?
ZYRTEC® provides 24-hour relief, all day and all night.
Is it okay to take ZYRTEC® over a long period of time?
The ZYRTEC® package label doesn’t state a limit on how long you can take ZYRTEC®. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions, especially if you’re taking other medicines or being treated for any other conditions.
What’s the best time of day to take ZYRTEC®?
Any time of day works. And ZYRTEC® will continue to work for 24 hours.
Do I need a prescription to take ZYRTEC®?
No. Since 2008, ZYRTEC® has been available over the counter, without a prescription.
Is the over-the-counter version of ZYRTEC® the same as the prescription strength?
Yes. Today’s ZYRTEC® has the same exact strength as the version that required a prescription previously.
Can ZYRTEC® make me feel drowsy?
Studies in adults show that about 14% of patients experienced somnolence, or drowsiness, and studies in children show that about 4% of patients experienced somnolence while on ZYRTEC®.
Most adult studies also show that the percentage of patients on ZYRTEC® 10 mg reporting somnolence decreased each week.*
While everyone reacts differently to medication, drowsiness may occur with ZYRTEC® and could lessen over time. See Zyrtec® label warnings section.
*Majority of studies were 2 weeks in duration.