Zyrtec and Zyrtec-D Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Seasonal allergies can be bothersome. That’s why, every spring, millions of people run to the pharmacy to get an antihistamine to help manage their symptoms. Zyrtec (cetirizine) is a popular antihistamine that’s available both by prescription and over the counter (OTC) without a prescription.

If you decide to give Zyrtec a try, it’s important to know how much to take. This article will cover the most common Zyrtec dosages for adults and children.

What dosage forms are available for Zyrtec?

Zyrtec comes in several dosage forms, including:

• Oral tablets

• Oral capsules

• Chewable tablets

• Oral liquid (syrup)

• Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs)

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All of these forms contain the antihistamine cetirizine and are available OTC. And all of them come in both brand-name and generic versions. If you’re taking Zyrtec syrup, be sure to use the medication cup or syringe provided by the manufacturer to measure out doses. This will help make sure you take the accurate amount.

There’s also Zyrtec-D (cetirizine / pseudoephedrine). This form of Zyrtec contains both cetirizine and pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant. Zyrtec-D is only available from behind the pharmacy counter.

What’s the typical Zyrtec dosage for adults?

The typical Zyrtec dosage for adults is 10 mg once daily, taken around the same time each day. Adults ages 65 and older should only take 5 mg of Zyrtec per day.

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Different Zyrtec dosage forms may contain different amounts of cetirizine. Below, we’ve outlined the specific instructions for taking each dosage form.

Adult Zyrtec dosage chart

Zyrtec tablets, capsules, and ODTs

Zyrtec tablets, capsules, and ODTs contain 10 mg of cetirizine per pill. If you’re under 65, take 1 pill (10 mg) by mouth once daily. Don’t take more than 1 pill in 24 hours. If you’re 65 or older, speak with a healthcare professional before taking these forms of Zyrtec.

Zyrtec chewable tablets

There are three chewable forms of Zyrtec. Although some of them are labeled as children’s products, adults can take them, too.

Zyrtec chewable tablets and Children’s Zyrtec (ages 6+) chewable tablets contain 10 mg of cetirizine per tablet. If you’re under 65, chew and swallow 1 tablet (10 mg) once a day. Don’t take more than 1 tablet in 24 hours. If you’re 65 or older, speak with a healthcare professional before taking these forms of Zyrtec.

Children’s Zyrtec (ages 2+) chewable tablets contain 2.5 mg of cetirizine per tablet. If you’re under 65 years old, chew and swallow 2 to 4 tablets (5 mg to 10 mg) once daily. Don’t take more than 4 tablets in 24 hours. If you’re 65 or older, only take 2 tablets per day.

Zyrtec syrup

Zyrtec syrup contains 5 mg of cetirizine in every 5 mL of liquid. If you’re under 65, you can take 5 mL to 10 mL (5 mg to 10 mg) by mouth once a day, depending on the severity of your allergies. Don’t take more than 10 mL in 24 hours.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How long does it take Zyrtec to work? Read a pharmacist’s answers to this, as well as more Zyrtec FAQs.

• Does Zyrtec cause drowsiness? It can. Read about this and other Zyrtec side effects, plus how to manage them.

• Can you drink alcohol with Zyrtec? Our experts review why you shouldn’t drink alcohol with antihistamines such as Zyrtec.

If you’re 65 or older, take 5 mL by mouth once a day. Don’t take more than 5 mL in 24 hours.

Zyrtec-D tablets

Each Zyrtec-D tablet has 5 mg of cetirizine and 120 mg of pseudoephedrine. If you’re under 65, take 1 tablet by mouth every 12 hours. Don’t cut, crush, or chew the tablets. Don’t take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours.

What’s the typical Zyrtec dosage for children?

Certain Zyrtec products can be safely given to children as young as 2 years old. Children’s Zyrtec dosages are based on their age — not their body weight. Adolescents ages 12 years and older can follow the adult dosage instructions for all Zyrtec products discussed above.

Children ages 6 years and older can follow the adult dosages for all products except Zyrtec-D. Don’t give Zyrtec-D to children under 12 years old without a healthcare professional’s OK.

Detailed instructions for each Children’s Zyrtec product can be found below.

Children’s Zyrtec dosage chart

Zyrtec syrup

Zyrtec syrup contains 5 mg of cetirizine in every 5 mL of liquid. The dosages for Children’s Zyrtec syrup are as follows:

• Children under 2 years old: Ask your child’s pediatrician before giving them Zyrtec.

• Children 2 to 5 years old: Give 2.5 mL (2.5 mg) by mouth once daily. If this dosage doesn’t provide enough relief, you can increase it to 5 mL once a day or 2.5 mL every 12 hours. Don't give more than 5 mL in 24 hours.

• Children 6 years and older: Give 5 mL to 10 mL (5 mg to 10 mg) by mouth once daily. Don’t give more than 10 mL in 24 hours.

Children’s Zyrtec chewable tablets

There are two different Children’s Zyrtec chewable tablets available. One is meant for children ages 6 years and older. The other is safe for children as young as 2 years old. Read the OTC medicine label carefully, so you know which one you’ve selected.

Each Children’s Zyrtec (ages 6+) chewable tablet contains 10 mg of cetirizine. For children 6 years and older, give them 1 tablet (10 mg) to chew and swallow once a day. Don’t give a child more than 1 tablet in 24 hours.

Each Children’s Zyrtec (ages 2+) chewable tablet contains 2.5 mg of cetirizine. The children’s dosages for these chewable tablets are as follows:

• Children under 2 years old: Ask your child’s pediatrician before giving them Zyrtec.

• Children 2 to 5 years old: Give 1 tablet (2.5 mg) by mouth once daily. If this dosage doesn’t provide enough relief, you can increase it to 2 tablets (5 mg) once a day or 1 tablet every 12 hours. Don't give more than 2 tablets in 24 hours.

• Children 6 years or older: Give 2 to 4 tablets (5 mg to 10 mg) once daily. Don’t give more than 4 tablets in 24 hours.

Zyrtec ODTs

Each Zyrtec ODT contains 10 mg of cetirizine. For children ages 6 years and older, give them 1 tablet (10 mg) to dissolve in their mouth once daily. Don’t give a child more than 1 tablet in 24 hours. And don’t give Zyrtec ODTs to a child under 6 years old without a healthcare professional’s OK.

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

Zyrtec is safe for most people to take. But there may be situations in which you should check with a healthcare professional before taking it.

Dosage for people with kidney problems

Zyrtec is cleared from your body through your kidneys. So if your kidneys aren’t working as well as they should, Zyrtec can build up in the body. This can lead to more side effects. Depending on your situation, a healthcare professional may suggest taking a lower dose of Zyrtec to help avoid side effects.

The maximum Zyrtec dosage for people ages 12 years and older with kidney problems is 5 mg once daily. For children ages 6 to 11 years old, a healthcare professional should be consulted. Zyrtec isn’t recommended for children under 6 years old who have kidney problems.

Dosage for people with liver problems

Talk to a healthcare professional before taking Zyrtec if you have liver problems. It’s recommended that people who have liver problems take lower doses of Zyrtec because the liver helps break down the medication.

People ages 12 years and older with liver problems shouldn’t take more than 5 mg of Zyrtec once daily. For children ages 6 to 11 years old, a healthcare professional should be consulted. Zyrtec shouldn’t be given to children under 6 years old with liver problems.

What happens if you miss a dose of Zyrtec?

Zyrtec works best if you take it regularly. But if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s close to your next dose, then just skip the missed dose.

Don’t take more than the maximum daily dose of Zyrtec recommended for your age group. Taking more than the maximum daily dose raises the risk of side effects.

What should you do if you take too much Zyrtec?

Taking an extra dose of Zyrtec by mistake is unlikely to cause serious harm for most people. However, taking a very large amount of Zyrtec can be dangerous. In severe cases, it can cause severe drowsiness, hallucinations, and an elevated heart rate.

If you or someone you know may have taken too much Zyrtec, contact a healthcare professional or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

How to save on Zyrtec

There are many ways to save on Zyrtec, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. If a healthcare professional writes you a prescription for OTC Zyrtec, GoodRx may be able to help you save over 80% off the average retail price. Generic Zyrtec’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $3.16 with a free GoodRx coupon.

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Written by:

Timothy Aungst, PharmD

Timothy Aungst, PharmD, has worked in pharmacy practice for the past decade with different roles and responsibilities. He has served as an associate professor of pharmacy practice for almost a decade, a clinical pharmacist in outpatient cardiology management, and now in home healthcare.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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