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Cetirizine is an antihistamine used for allergy symptoms and hives. Most adults can take it, and rules for children depend on age and form, so ask a pharmacist before giving it to a child.
What are the common side effects?
Feeling sleepy or tired is very common. Headache, dry mouth, feeling sick, dizziness, diarrhoea and sore throat can also occur.
Who should check first?
- People who have had an allergic reaction to it or another medicine
- People with kidney failure
- People with epilepsy or a raised risk of seizures
- People who have trouble urinating
- People with an allergy test coming up, as it can affect results
Can stopping long-term use cause itching?
Rare but severe itching can develop after stopping daily cetirizine used for months or years. Ask your doctor about stopping long-term treatment, and seek advice if intense itching develops. See the FDA safety warning.
When should I get help?
Contact a doctor straight away for unusual bruising or bleeding that is slow to stop. Call your local emergency number (000 in Australia) for sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing.
Doses and formulations vary. Follow your prescriber, pharmacist and the leaflet supplied with your exact medicine. In Australia, call 000 for a medical emergency or the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for suspected poisoning or overdose. Outside Australia, use your local emergency and poison-information services.
Source: NHS: Side effects of cetirizine and NHS: Who can and cannot take cetirizine. General education does not replace individual medical advice. Updated November 2026.
Read more in our Health Guides. For website or catalogue questions, contact support; urgent medical concerns need a healthcare service.