Dosing and uses of Zyrtec D (cetirizine/pseudoephedrine)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
cetirizine/pseudoephedrine
tablet, extended-release
- 5mg/120mg
Allergic Rhinitis
Indicated to relieve nasal and non-nasal symptoms associated with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis
1 tablet PO q12hr with or without food
Elderly: May required decreased dose of 1 tablet qDay
Renal/Hepatic Impairment
Hemodialysis or CrCl <32 mL/min: 1 tablet PO qDay
Hepatic impairment: 1 tablet PO qDay
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
cetirizine/pseudoephedrine
tablet, extended-release
- 5mg/120mg
Allergic Rhinitis
Indicated to relieve nasal and non-nasal symptoms associated with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis
<12 years: Safety and efficacy not established
12 years or older: As adults; 1 tablet PO q12hr with or without food
Renal/Hepatic Impairment
Hemodialysis or CrCl <32 mL/min: 1 tablet PO qDay
Hepatic impairment: 1 tablet PO qDay
Zyrtec D (cetirizine/pseudoephedrine) adverse (side) effects
1-10%
Insomnia (4%)
Xerostomia (4%)
Fatigue/somnolence (2%)
Pharyngitis (2%)
Dizziness (1%)
Epistaxis (1%)
Sinusitis (1%)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Narrow-angle glaucoma
Urinary retention
Severe hypertension
Severe coronary artery disease
Do not take within 14 days of MAOIs
Cautions
Adrenergic agents may cause arrhythmias, dizziness, insomnia, tremor, or weakness
May cause sedation; caution with tasks requiring cognitive abilities (eg, driving, operating machinery)
Alcohol may exacerbate sedation and cognitive abilities
Caution with history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, increased IOP, ischemic heart disease, prostatic hypertrophy, or renal function impairment
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: Each ingredient is distributed in breast milk, caution advised
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Zyrtec D (cetirizine/pseudoephedrine)
Half-Life: 7-10 hr (cetirizine); 5-8 hr (pseudoephedrine)
Onset: 20-60 min (cetirizine); 30 min (pseudoephedrine)
Vd: 2.6-3.3 L/kg (cetirizine)
Peak Plasma Time: 0.5-1.5 hr (cetirizine); 1.97 hr (pseudoephedrine)
Peak Plasma Concentration: 422 ng/mL (pseudoephedrine)
Protein Bound: 93% (cetirizine)
Metabolism: liver, low first-pass (cetirizine)
Clearance: 7.3-7.6 mL/min/kg (pseudoephedrine)
Excretion: cetirizine: feces (10%), urine (70%); pseudoephedrine: urine
Mechanism of action
Cetirizine: Histamine H1-receptor antagonist
Pseudoephedrine: Alpha adrenergic agonist
