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Cetirizine

Zyrtec

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Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Antihistamine

Routes

PO

Indications

Allergic pruritus

Mechanism of Action

Active metabolite of hydroxyzine. Selective peripheral H1 receptor antagonist with minimal CNS penetration and minimal anticholinergic activity.

Side effects & warnings

Less sedating than first-generation antihistamines. Ensure human product does not contain pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D). Used for allergic pruritus. Limited efficacy as sole anti-pruritic agent.

Species with Cetirizine dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Weak×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by a published source

  • · Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)PO1–2 mg/kgq24hWeakPapich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th Ed
Cat (Domestic)PO5 mg per catq24hWeakPapich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th Ed

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Calculate Dosage for Cetirizine