Zyrtec
® (
cetirizine hydrochloride) is a medication often used to relieve symptoms of
allergies, such as runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, sneezing, and itchy nose or throat. It is also approved for the treatment of itching due to hives (which may or may not be related to allergies).
There are many different forms of Zyrtec: chewable tablets, tablets, and syrup. The drug, which is available over the counter, is typically taken by mouth once a day. Some people need to take the medication all year long, while others only need to take it during allergy season.
Histamine is responsible for causing
allergy symptoms and the formation of hives. As an antihistamine, Zyrtec works to treat allergy symptoms and to alleviate itching caused by hives by blocking histamine from binding to histamine receptors.
(Click Zyrtec to learn more about Zyrtec chewable tablets and the other available forms, to find out more about the effects of this medication, and for a list of possible side effects of this drug.)
