Cetirizine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 19, 2023.

Applies to cetirizine: intravenous solution.

Common side effects of cetirizine

Some side effects of cetirizine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• change or loss of taste
• feeling hot
• headache
• heartburn
• increased sweating
• indigestion
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Incidence not known

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

Serious side effects of cetirizine

Along with its needed effects, cetirizine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cetirizine:

Incidence not known

• drowsiness
• relaxed and calm
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

For healthcare professionals

Applies to cetirizine: intravenous solution, oral capsule, oral liquid, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet dispersible.

General

The most commonly reported side effects include somnolence, dizziness, and headache.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Somnolence (up to 14.3%), headache (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness
• Frequency not reported: Altered sense of taste, paresthesia, hypertonia, tremor, abnormal coordination/incoordination, ataxia, hyperesthesia, hyperkinesia, hypoesthesia, migraine, paralysis, twitching, parosmia, taste loss/perversion
• Postmarketing reports: Convulsions, dysgeusia, dyskinesia, dystonia, syncope, amnesia, vertigo, memory impairment^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspepsia
• Frequency not reported: Tongue disorder, constipation, flatulence, increased salivation, aggravated tooth caries, eructation, gastritis, hemorrhoids, melena, rectal hemorrhage, stomatitis/ulcerative stomatitis, tongue discoloration/edema, enlarged abdomen^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngitis, rhinitis, coughing, epistaxis
• Frequency not reported: Dyspnea, respiratory disorder, bronchospasm, upper respiratory tract infection, dysphonia, bronchitis, hyperventilation, increased sputum, pneumonia, sinusitis, nasal polyp^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue
• Frequency not reported: Earache, tinnitus, fever, pain, rigor, thirst, deafness, ototoxicity, accidental injury, face edema, leg edema, malaise
• Postmarketing reports: Asthenia, stillbirth^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
• Frequency not reported: Nervousness, impaired concentration, confusion, decreased libido, abnormal thinking, anxiety, depersonalization, emotional lability, euphoria, paroniria, sleep disorder
• Postmarketing reports: Agitation, aggression/aggressive reaction, depression, hallucination, tic, suicidal ideation/suicide^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Myelitis
• Frequency not reported: Back pain, myalgia, arthralgia, bone disorder/fracture, leg cramps, arthritis, arthrosis, muscle weakness^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Pruritus/intense itching, increased sweating, acne, alopecia, bullous eruption, dermatitis, dry skin, eczema, erythematous rash, furunculosis, hyperkeratosis, hypertrichosis, maculopapular rash, photosensitivity/photosensitivity toxic reaction, purpura, seborrhea, skin disorder/nodule
• Postmarketing reports: Rash, urticaria, angioneurotic edema, fixed drug eruption, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Eye abnormality, periorbital edema, abnormal vision, eye pain, conjunctivitis, ptosis, visual field defects, blindness, glaucoma, ocular hemorrhage, xerophthalmia, periorbital edema/eye swelling
• Postmarketing reports: Accommodation disorder/loss of accommodation, blurred vision, oculogyration, orofacial dyskinesia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Polyuria, urinary retention, urinary tract infection, dysmenorrhea, hematuria, micturition frequency, urinary incontinence, female breast pain, intermenstrual bleeding, leukorrhea, menorrhagia, vaginitis
• Postmarketing reports: Dysuria, enuresis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Flushing, palpitations, tachycardia, edema/general edema, chest pain, cardiac failure, hypertension, hot flashes, peripheral edema, pallor
• Postmarketing reports: Severe hypotension^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Increased appetite, anorexia, increased weight, dehydration, diabetes mellitus^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Reversible transaminase elevations
• Postmarketing reports: Abnormal hepatic function (increased transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, GGT, bilirubin), cholestasis, hepatitis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Allergic reactions/delayed allergic reactions
• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity, anaphylactic shock^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Lymphadenopathy
• Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Cystitis
• Postmarketing reports: Glomerulonephritis^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Should cetirizine be taken at bedtime or upon awakening?
• Can you take antihistamines when pregnant?
• Is Generic Zyrtec Available?

Further information

Cetirizine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer