{"id":626637,"date":"2024-02-08T09:10:17","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T14:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626637"},"modified":"2025-12-09T13:26:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T18:26:00","slug":"zyrtec-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/zyrtec-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"Zyrtec generic availability, cost, and dosage"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have <\/span>allergies<\/span><\/a>, with symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes, you may have heard of or taken a medication called <\/span>Zyrtec<\/span><\/a> (generic name <\/span>cetirizine<\/span><\/a>). Zyrtec is available over-the-counter (OTC) and is in the class of medications known as <\/span>second-generation antihistamines<\/span><\/a>. First-generation antihistamines, such as <\/span>Benadryl<\/span><\/a> (diphenhydramine), are more likely to cause side effects like drowsiness than second-generation antihistamines. An additional advantage of second-generation antihistamines is that they are long-acting and typically dosed just once daily. Zyrtec is available as a capsule, tablet, oral solution, chewable tablet, and orally disintegrating tablet (ODT). Continue reading to learn more about Zyrtec and its generic, cetirizine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a generic for Zyrtec?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The generic for Zyrtec, cetirizine, was approved for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 when Zyrtec was still a prescription-only medication. Now Zyrtec is available without a prescription as both the brand-name products as well as the generic versions. Generic cetirizine is made by various pharmaceutical manufacturers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the differences between brand-name Zyrtec and generic cetirizine?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is no difference between the active ingredient in the brand-name drug Zyrtec and generic cetirizine. <\/span>Generic medications<\/span><\/a>, just as the trade name products, are approved by the FDA and must meet the same strict standards for safety and effectiveness. A <\/span>clinical study<\/span><\/a> has shown that generic cetirizine is comparable in efficacy to brand-name Zyrtec.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In terms of appearance, generic cetirizine may appear different from the brand name, but in all cases, they contain the same active ingredient and work the same way. Both are available as a capsule, tablet, oral solution, chewable tablet, and orally disintegrating tablet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because generics offer significant cost savings, many patients opt to take generics, and find them to be just as effective as the brand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Drug information<\/td>\nZyrtec (cetirizine)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uses<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Relieves allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and an itchy nose and\/or throat<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard dosage<\/span><\/td>\n\n
Common side effects<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Drowsiness\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Tiredness<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dry mouth<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Stomach problems like stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contraindications<\/span><\/td>\n\n
Other considerations<\/span><\/td>\n\n