Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Cetirizine Oral Solution
What is Cetirizine Oral Solution used for?
Children 2-12 years of age: Cetirizine Oral Solution is indicated for fast, long-lasting relief of seasonal allergy symptoms. This product is also indicated for the fast and long-lasting relief of itching due to allergic skin reactions such as hives.
The nasal congestion / stuffiness and itchy nose / throat symptoms have not been adequately studied in children under 12 years of age. The effectiveness of this product in relieving the symptoms associated with year-round and recurring localized swelling has not been established in this age group.
How does Cetirizine Oral Solution work?
Your child’s allergy symptoms are simply their body’s overreaction in trying to protect them from allergens such as ragweed, grass and tree pollen. When allergens are detected, the cells in your child’s body release a chemical called histamine which binds to specific histamine receptors in your child’s skin and tissues. The resulting reaction causes itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and runny nose. This product helps relieve your child’s allergy symptoms by blocking these receptor sites before histamine binds there, preventing or reducing many of the symptoms of an allergic reaction. This product’s anti- inflammatory properties also help by reducing swelling and related symptoms, including redness and hives (red, itchy bumps or welts on your child’s skin).
This product provides fast and effective relief of your child’s worst allergy symptoms for a full 24 hours.
What are the ingredients in Cetirizine Oral Solution?
Medicinal ingredient: Cetirizine hydrochloride
Non-medicinal ingredients: Citric acid anhydrous, grape flavour, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate dihydrate, sorbitol solution and sucralose.
Cetirizine Oral Solution comes in the following dosage forms:
Colourless, sugar-free grape flavoured liquid preparation where each 5 mL contains 5 mg of cetirizine hydrochloride.
Do not use Cetirizine Oral Solution if your child:
- has severe kidney impairment (less than 10 mL / min creatinine clearance)
- has a known hypersensitivity to the product, or to its parent compound hydroxyzine, or to piperazine derivatives
- is hypersensitive to any other ingredient in the product (see list of ingredients above)
- is also taking any of the following medications: antianxiety medications, sleep aids, antihistamines, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, or prescription analgesics.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before your child takes Cetirizine Oral Solution. Talk about any health conditions or problems your child may have, including if your child:
- has liver or kidney disease.
Other warnings you should know about:
- If signs and symptoms such as formation of small pimples occur, with or without fever or redness, then treatment with cetirizine should be discontinued and a doctor should be consulted
- If drowsiness does occur with Cetirizine Oral Solution use, your child should not engage in activities that require mental alertness
- If symptoms persist or worsen, or if new symptoms occur, stop use and consult a doctor.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines your child takes, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Cetirizine Oral Solution:
Do not use this product with sedating substances and some other medications, including antianxiety medications, sleep aids, antihistamines, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, or prescription analgesics.
How to take Cetirizine Oral Solution:
DO NOT EXCEED RECOMMENDED DOSAGE. Prolonged use only as directed by a doctor. Do not use longer than 14 days in children unless directed by a doctor.
Usual dose:
Children 2-6 years of age: 5 mL of syrup given once daily. For twice daily dosing, 2.5 mL of syrup in the morning and 2.5 mL of syrup in the evening.
Children 6-12 years of age: 10 mL of syrup once daily. For twice daily dosing, 5 mL in the morning and 5 mL in the evening.
Do not give Cetirizine Oral Solution to children under 2 years of age, unless advised by a doctor.
Overdose:
Overdose has been reported with this product. Symptoms reported after an overdose of at least five times the recommended daily dose are: confusion, diarrhea, dizziness, sleepiness, headache, fatigue, feeling of bodily discomfort, excessive dilation of the pupil, itching, restlessness, sedation, lowered level of consciousness, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, tremor, and inability to urinate. Extreme activity and extreme lack of energy have been seen in children.
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Cetirizine Oral Solution, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.
Treatment in a hospital setting is preferred. Notify of any other medications your child may have been taking. VOMITING SHOULD NEVER BE INDUCED IN UNCONSCIOUS INDIVIDUALS OR IN CHILDREN UNDER 1 YEAR WITHOUT MEDICAL HELP.
Missed Dose:
If you missed a dose of this medication, you do not need to make up the missed dose. Skip the missed dose and continue with the next scheduled dose. Do not give your child two doses at the same time. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose.
What are possible side effects from using Cetirizine Oral Solution?
These are not all the possible side effects your child may have when taking Cetirizine Oral Solution. If your child experiences any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
The most common side effects associated with Cetirizine Oral Solution are headache, sleepiness and dry mouth. If these side effects do not go away, call your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
Frequency / Side Effect / Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| RARE | |||
| Restlessness with increased body movement | √ | ||
| Difficulty urinating | √ | ||
| New rash or itching after stopping drug | √ | ||
| Liver dysfunction (inflammation of the liver, appearance of jaundice, i.e. yellowing of the skin) | √ | ||
The following side effects have been reported very rarely: aggression, agitation, hallucination, memory impairment / amnesia, insomnia, dizziness, loss of taste, erectile dysfunction, eye pain or swelling and blurred vision.
If your child has a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with their daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
Storage:
Store at 15-30°C. Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about Cetirizine Oral Solution:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full Product Monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); or by calling 1-866-399-9091.
1310 rue Nobel
Boucherville, Québec
J4B 5H3, Canada
Date of Authorization: December 22, 2025