INN monograph
Cetirizine
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.
Precautions
- Warnings Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients or to an antihistamine containing hydroxyzine.
- Ask a doctor before use if you have liver or kidney disease.
- Your doctor should determine if you need a different dose.
- Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking tranquilizers or sedatives.
- When using this product drowsiness may occur avoid alcoholic drinks alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness be careful when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery Stop use and ask a doctor if an allergic reaction to this product occurs.
- Seek medical help right away.
- If pregnant or breast-feeding if breast-feeding: not recommended if pregnant: ask a health professional before use.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
- (1-800-222-1222)
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
Directions may be taken with or without water chew or crush tablets completely before swallowing children 2 to under 6 years of age Chew and swallow 1 tablet (2.5 mg) once daily; If needed, dose can be increased to a maximum of 2 tablets (5 mg) once daily or 1 tablet (2.5 mg) every 12 hours. Do not give more than 2 tablets (5 mg) in 24 hours. adults and children 6 years and over Chew and swallow 2 tablets (5 mg) or 4 tablets (10 mg) once daily depending upon severity of symptoms; do not take more than 4 tablets (10 mg) in 24 hours. adults 65 years and over Chew and swallow 2 tablets (5 mg) once daily; do not take more than 2 tablets (5 mg) in 24 hours. children under 2 years of age ask a doctor consumers with liver or kidney disease ask a doctor
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Anorexia
- increased appetite
- taste perversion
- dyspepsia
- gastritis
- stomatitis
- enlarged abdomen
- eructation
- flatulence
- constipa-tion
- rectal hemorrhage
- hemorrhoids.
Use
Indications
- Uses temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: runny nose sneezing itchy, watery eyes itching of the nose or throat Clinical selection for Cetirizine should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class).
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
It acts by competing with histamine for H1-receptor sites on effector cells.
Full mechanism text
It acts by competing with histamine for H1-receptor sites on effector cells. Its marked polarity decreases distribution of the drug into the CNS, resulting in reduced potential for adverse CNS effects compared with some first generation antihistamines.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alatrol | Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | 63.96 |
| Alerid | Cipla Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Alfree | Stallion Laboratories Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Allerta | Distributed by Nextgen Pharmaceuticals (K) Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Altrine | Universal Corporation Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Alzinex | Sphinx Pharmaceuticals Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Atrizex | Dannes Pharmacy Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Atrizin | Beximco Pharma | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Cachcet | Cachet Pharmaceuticals PVT Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Ceritec | Distributed by Nextgen Pharmaceuticals (K) Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Ceticad | Pharmevo | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Cetirizine, by Metro | Distributed by Metro Pharmaceuticals Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Cetramac | Questa Care Inc. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Cetrimed | Medico Remedies Pvt. Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| CetriPlain | Trupharma Medical Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Cetriz | Laboratory & Allied Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Cetrizet | Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| CETRIZINE | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | 10MG 100*S(CACHCET) | 24.85 |
| Cezen | Distributed by Metro Pharmaceuticals Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Cezine | PDH Laboratories | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| CodimexCT | Regal Pharmaceuticals | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Contrizet | Independent / Registered Supplier | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| DENK AIR | Independent / Registered Supplier | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| DENK AIR JUNIOR | Independent / Registered Supplier | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Finallerg | Pharma International | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Galcet | Distributed by Galaxy | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Grazine | Distributed by Medisel (K) Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Histacet | Sanofi Aventis | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Hycet | Highchem | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Piricet | Biodeal Laboratories Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Rhizine | Zydus Cadila Healthcare | Standard Commercial Pack | 186.48 |
| Rinacet | Dawa Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Satrin | Lincoln Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Sitizine | Pharmatec (PVT) Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Triz | Indoco Remedies Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Zyncet | Unichem Laboratories Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| ZYNCET SP | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | 60ML | 129.00 |
| ZYNCET TABS 50`S | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | — | 161.34 |
| Zyrtec | GlaxoSmithkline | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.