cetirizine

noun

ce·​tir·​i·​zine se-ˈtir-ə-ˌzēn 

variants or less commonly cetirizine hydrochloride

: a long-acting, nonsedating, antihistamine drug taken orally in the form of its hydrochloride C₂₁H₂₅ClN₂O₃·2HCl especially to treat allergic rhinitis and chronic hives

Note: Cetirizine is marketed under the trademark Zyrtec.

Examples of cetirizine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Common examples include Claritin (the active ingredient is loratadine), Allegra (the active ingredient is fexofenadine), and Zyrtec (the active ingredient is cetirizine). —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024

This class includes sedating medicines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and less sedating ones like Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine). —Megan Nunn, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 26 July 2024

Taking oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, fexofenadine, loratadine and cetirizine, can also help counter the effects of your sting, Grimes says. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 8 July 2024

First-generation oral antihistamines, like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or Atarax (hydroxyzine), are more likely than second-generation antihistamines, like Claritin (loratadine) or Zyrtec (cetirizine), to cause drowsiness, Yu said. —Hannah Seo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2024

Studies show that cetirizine, the active ingredient in Zyrtec, can start working in as little as 20 minutes while loratadine, Claritin's active ingredient, can take up to three hours. —Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 29 Feb. 2024

One reason why Zyrtec works so well is that its active ingredient, cetirizine HCl, is highly effective in reducing inflammatory cells in those who have allergic rhinitis (hay fever). —Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 29 Feb. 2024

Elliott recommends cetirizine, also known as Zyrtec. —Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2023

Consult Your Veterinarian While diphenhydramine and cetirizine are popular choices there are several other types available as well. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cetirizine

noun

ce·​tir·​i·​zine se-ˈtir-ə-ˌzēn 

: a long-acting, nonsedating, antihistamine drug that is taken orally in the form of its dihydrochloride C₂₁H₂₅ClN₂O₃·2HCl especially to treat allergic rhinitis and chronic hives

Note: Cetirizine is a derivative of piperazine and an H₁ antagonist that binds competitively with histamine to H₁ receptors on cell membranes. It is marketed under the trademark Zyrtec.