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Zyrtec Dosage
The recommended dose of Zyrtec will be based on factors such as the severity of your symptoms. Most adults and children age six and older take 10 mg once daily. For children age two through five years old, a lower dose is recommended, and only the syrup form of Zyrtec is approved for this age group.
The recommended dose of Zyrtec® (cetirizine hydrochloride) will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The severity of your symptoms
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
The recommended Zyrtec dosage for most adults and children age six and over is Zyrtec 10 mg once daily. For mild symptoms, 5 mg once daily may be sufficient. Check with your healthcare provider if you have liver or kidney disease, as a lower dose may be recommended.
The label recommends that people age 65 and older check with their healthcare providers before taking Zyrtec in order to determine the best dose. It is common for liver and kidney function to decline with age, and a lower dose of Zyrtec may be recommended.
The recommended dose for children age two through five years old is Zyrtec 2.5 mg once daily. This dose is equivalent to half a teaspoonful (2.5 mL) of Zyrtec syrup. Consult your child's healthcare provider if your child has liver or kidney problems, as a lower dosage may be recommended. Only Children's Zyrtec Allergy syrup is approved and labeled for this age group. Other Zyrtec products are not approved for this age range.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD