Cetirizine precautions

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

List of precautions

General

Cardiovascular problems

Renal impairment

Elderly patients

Inhibition of Mental Awareness

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General

Due to its pseudoephedrine component, Cetirizine should be used with caution in patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, increased intraocular pressure, hyperthyroidism, renal impairment, or prostatic hypertrophy. Patients with decreased renal function should be given a lower initial dose (one tablet per day) because they have reduced elimination of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine.Return to top

Cardiovascular problems

Care should be taken in the administration of Cetirizine concomitantly with other sympathomimetic amines because combined effects on the cardiovascular system may be harmful to the patient.Return to top

Renal impairment

The cetirizine and pseudoephedrine components of Cetirizine are known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.Return to top

Elderly patients

In general, dosing in an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.Return to top

Inhibition of Mental Awareness

Due caution should be exercised when driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery. Concurrent use of ZYRTEC with alcohol or other CNS depressants should be avoided because additional reductions in alertness and additional impairment of CNS performance may occur.Return to top

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Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.