FDA approves chewable antihistamine, Zyrtec , for children

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, July-August, 2004

Cetirizine HCL (Zyrtec) will now be available in chewable form. The FDA approved the grape-flavored chewable tablets for children aged 2 years and up in the treatment of allergies and urticaria. This dosing alternative provides kids an alternative to the currently available syrup, but who may not be able to swallow a pill yet. The tablets can be taken with or without food or water. Since each dose is individually packaged, there are no more measuring doses and it is possible to carry just what you need.

The FDA approval makes Cetirizine the first prescription allergy medication approved in both a syrup and chewable formula. Cetirizine is a selective H1 antagonist that blocks the effects of histamine in the body. It is approved to treat indoor and outdoor allergies in children as young as two.

In studies, side effects included drowsiness, headache, sore throat, and stomachache.