Zyrtec Indications and Dosage

allergic rhinitis
asthma _†
atopic dermatitis _†
urticaria

_† non-FDA-approved indication

For the treatment of perennial or seasonal allergic rhinitis; chronic idiopathic urticaria; atopic dermatitis _† ; or seasonal allergic asthma _† :
Oral dosage (tablets, chewable tablets or oral syrup):

Adults and children >= 12 years: 5 - 10 mg PO once daily, depending on severity of symptoms.
Elderly: 5 - 10 mg PO once daily. For patients >= 77 years, the recommended dosage is 5 mg PO once daily.
Children 6 - 11 years: 5 - 10 mg PO once daily, depending on severity of symptoms.
Children 2 - 5 years: Initially, 2.5 mg (1/2 teaspoonful or 2.5 ml of oral syrup) PO once daily. May increase up to 5 mg (1 teaspoonful or 5 ml) PO once daily or 2.5 mg (1/2 teaspoonful or 2.5 ml) PO every 12 hours. Alternatively, give a 5 mg chewable tablet PO once daily.
Children and infants 6 - 23 months: Use oral syrup for dosing. 2.5 mg (1/2 teaspoonful or 2.5 ml) PO once daily. If >= 12 months of age, may increase to a maximum of 5 mg/day, given as 2.5 mg (1/2 teaspoonful or 2.5 ml) PO every 12 hours.

Maximum Dosage Limits:

Adults: 10 mg/day PO.
Elderly 65 - 76 years: 10 mg/day PO.
Elderly >= 77 years: 5 mg/day PO.
Adolescents: 10 mg/day PO.
Children 6 - 11 years: 10 mg/day PO.
Children 2 - 5 years: 5 mg/day PO.
Children 12 - 23 months: 5 mg/day PO.
Infants 6 - 11 months: 2.5 mg/day PO.
Infants < 6 months: Safe and effective use has not been established.

Patients with hepatic impairment:
No more than 5 mg PO once daily for hepatically impaired adults, adolescents, and children >= 6 years. Use in hepatically impaired children < 6 years is not recommended (manufacturer recommendation).

Patients with renal impairment:
CrCl > 31 ml/min: No dosage adjustment needed.
CrCl <= 31 ml/min: No more than 5 mg PO once daily for renally impaired adults, adolescents, and children >= 6 years. Use in renally impaired children < 6 years is not recommended (manufacturer recommendation).

Intermittent hemodialysis:
Follow dosage recommendations as for CrCl <= 31 ml/min; cetirizine is not removed by hemodialysis.

_† non-FDA-approved indication
[ Last revised: 5/31/2004 4:31:00 PM ]

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