ARTIZ 10/MG TAB 10/TAB

Indications

Approved Uses

Treatment of nasal and ocular symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis; symptomatic treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Off-Label Uses

Off‑label: pruritus from other causes (e.g., atopic dermatitis), insect bite reactions; sometimes used as adjunct in urticaria/angioedema management (not for acute anaphylaxis).

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

Allergic rhinitis (adults/children ≥12 years): 10 mg once daily or 5 mg twice daily. Chronic urticaria (adults/children ≥12 years): 10 mg once daily. Children 6-11 years: 5-10 mg once daily or 5 mg twice daily. Children 2-5 years: 2.5 mg once or twice daily (syrup formulation)

Initial Dose

5mg or 10mg once daily, depending on symptom severity.

Maintenance Dose

5mg to 10mg once daily.

Children's Dosage

Children 6-11 years: 5mg or 10mg once daily. Children 2-5 years: 2.5mg once daily, may be increased to a maximum of 5mg daily. Children 6 months to 2 years: 2.5mg once daily.

Dose Adjustment Notes

Renal impairment: reduce dose (commonly 5 mg once daily) when CrCl 11-31 mL/min; avoid/use not recommended in severe renal impairment (CrCl <10 mL/min) and in dialysis. Hepatic impairment: dose reduction may be needed, especially if concomitant renal impairment. Elderly: adjust based on renal function rather than age alone.

How to Take

Swallow 1 film‑coated tablet (10 mg) whole with water; may be taken with or without food.

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to cetirizine, hydroxyzine, or other piperazine derivatives (or any excipients); severe renal impairment/ESRD (CrCl <10 mL/min) including hemodialysis.

Age Restriction

This 10 mg film‑coated tablet is generally for adults and children ≥6 years; not recommended for children <6 years (and not for <2 years without medical advice).

Driving Warning

May Cause Drowsiness

Drug Interactions

Interaction Severity

MAJOR: None routinely established for cetirizine. MODERATE: Alcohol and other CNS depressants (additive sedation/psychomotor impairment). MINOR: Theophylline (slight decrease in cetirizine clearance at higher theophylline doses).

Alcohol Interaction

Avoid

Special Populations

Children

Children 6-11 years: 5mg or 10mg once daily. Children 2-5 years: 2.5mg once daily, may be increased to a maximum of 5mg daily. Children 6 months to 2 years: 2.5mg once daily.

Elderly

Start with 5 mg once daily; increase to 10 mg if tolerated and needed. Monitor renal function as clearance may be reduced.

Kidney Impairment

CrCl ≥50 mL/min: 10 mg once daily; CrCl 30-49 mL/min: 5 mg once daily; CrCl 10-29 mL/min: 5 mg every other day; CrCl <10 mL/min or hemodialysis: contraindicated/avoid.

Liver Impairment

No routine adjustment for hepatic impairment alone; if hepatic impairment coexists with renal impairment, reduce dose (commonly 5 mg once daily) based on renal function.

Storage & Patient Advice

Storage Conditions

Store below 30°C, in a dry place, away from light. Keep out of reach of children.

Missed Dose

Take as soon as remembered; skip if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not double the dose.

Stopping the Medicine

Safe to stop anytime for short-term use. After prolonged use, stopping may cause severe itching; consult a healthcare provider if this occurs.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Selective peripheral histamine H1‑receptor antagonist (inverse agonist) that reduces histamine‑mediated allergic symptoms (e.g., sneezing, rhinorrhea, pruritus, watery eyes).

Duration of Effect

Approximately 24 hours.

Half-Life

Approximately 8 hours in healthy adults (commonly cited range ~7-10 hours); prolonged in elderly and in renal impairment.

Excretion

Primarily renal: ~70% excreted in urine (a large proportion unchanged); minor fecal excretion ~10%.

Protein Binding

Approximately 93% (commonly cited range ~93-96%).

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

Cetirizine is available (by different products/markets) as film‑coated tablet, oral solution/syrup, and oral drops; some markets also have chewable tablets and orally disintegrating tablets.

Composition per Dose

Each film-coated tablet: 10 mg cetirizine hydrochloride

Generic Availability

Yes

Symptom Target

Allergy, Runny Nose, Itching

Sedating

Yes

Reviewed by Al Mujtama Pharmacy Medical Review Team. Last reviewed 18-07-2026