Cetirizine Generic Zyrtec

Description

Zyrtec, or Cetirizine, is an antihistamine. Cetirizine helps reduce any allergen-related histamine-mediated irritation, pruritus preventing your body from sounding the allergy alarm coughing, itching, and sneezing. Since Cetirizine is a drug primarily intended for human use, and since there is no veterinarian-approved equivalent, Cetirizine for dogs and cats is considered an extra-label drug, or a drug being used outside its realm of approved use, even though it is commonly prescribed for pets by veterinarians.

Benefits

• Helps reduce any allergen-related histamine-mediated irritation, pruritus preventing your body from sounding the allergy alarm coughing, itching, and sneezing
• Commonly prescribed for pets by veterinarians.

Precautions

Dogs or cats with hypersensitivity to antihistamines should not be given Cetirizine. Pets with renal or liver problems should be carefully monitored and have their dosages regulated based on the severity of their condition. Cetirizine has not been proven safe to use in dogs or cats that may be pregnant or nursing.

Side Effects

In some cases, vomiting or hypersalivation has occurred after starting on Cetirizine. In some small dogs taking higher dosages, drowsiness has been reported.

Dosage

Cetirizine comes in tablet form and should be taken orally once a day.

For dogs, dosage is based off of their overall weight, the ratio being 1 mg of Cetirizine per kilogram.

Cats should be given somewhere between 2.5 - 5 mg of Cetirizine, never exceeding the 5 mg cap.

These dosages are only an educated estimate and a licensed vet should be consulted before starting any new drug regimen.

Ingredients

Cetirizine