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Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution

Prescription ANDA TE AA Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution
Generic name
Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution
Dosage form
Solution
Route
Oral
Marketing category
ANDA · ANDA
Labeler
Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
2
NDC product codes
3
Packages
6
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Cetirizine Hydrochloride 1 mg/mL 1014678 View
Cetirizine Hydrochloride 5 mg/5mL 1014678 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Solution
Route of administration
Oral
Presentations
9

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonists [MoA] MoA All 136 members
Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist [EPC] EPC All 134 members

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
078870
Application type
ANDA · Abbreviated New Drug Application
Approval date
April 27, 2009
Sponsor
APOZEAL PHARMS
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
4
Products approved under application 078870.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
078870-001 CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE SOLUTION CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE Prescription AA

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AA
Reference Listed Drug
No
Reference Standard
No

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — no known or suspected bioequivalence problems (conventional dosage forms)

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 078870.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 12 Labeling Approved July 11, 2025 Standard
Supplement 6 Labeling Approved April 19, 2023 Standard
Supplement 4 Labeling Approved November 8, 2016 Standard
Original application 1 Approved April 27, 2009 —

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20250627). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20250627 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20231005

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

INDICATIONS & USAGE Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis due to allergens such as dust mites, animal dander and molds in children 6 to 23 months of age. Symptoms treated effectively include sneezing, rhinorrhea, postnasal discharge, nasal pruritus, ocular pruritus, and tearing. Chronic Urticaria: Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP is indicated for the treatment of the uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in children 6 months to 5 years of age. It significantly reduces the occurrence, severity, and duration of hives and significantly reduces pruritus.

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP can be taken without regard to food consumption. Children 2 to 5 Years for Chronic Urticaria: The recommended initial dose of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution,USP in children aged 2 to 5 years is 2.5 mg (1⁄2 teaspoonful) oral solution once daily. The dosage in this age group can be increased to a maximum dose of 5 mg per day given as 1 teaspoonful oral solution once a day, or one 1⁄2 teaspoonful oral solution given every 12 hours. Children 6 months to < 2 years for Perennial Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Urticaria: The recommended dose of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP in children 6 months to 23 months of age is 2.5 mg (1⁄2 teaspoonful) once daily. The dose in children 12 to 23 months of age can be increased to a maximum dose of 5 mg per day, given as 1⁄2 teaspoonful (2.5 mg) every 12 hours.

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

CONTRAINDICATIONS Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP is contraindicated in those patients with a known hypersensitivity to it or any of its ingredients or hydroxyzine.

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

ADVERSE REACTIONS Pediatric studies were conducted with cetirizine hydrochloride. More than 1300 pediatric patients aged 6 to 11 years with more than 900 treated with cetirizine hydrochloride at doses of 1.25 to 10 mg per day were included in controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials conducted in the United States. The duration of treatment ranged from 2 to 12 weeks. Placebo-controlled trials up to 4 weeks duration included 168 pediatric patients aged 2 to 5 years who received cetirizine, the majority of whom received single daily doses of 5 mg. A placebo-controlled trial 18 months in duration included 399 patients aged 12 to 24 months treated with cetirizine (0.25 mg/kg bid), and another placebo-controlled trial of 7 days duration included 42 patients aged 6 to 11 months who were treated with cetirizine (0.25 mg/kg bid). The majority of adverse reactions reported in pediatric patients aged 2 to 11 years with cetirizine hydrochloride were mild or moderate. In placebo-controlled trials, the incidence of discontinuations due to adverse reactions in pediatric patients receiving up to 10 mg of cetirizine hydrochloride was uncommon (0.4% on cetirizine hydrochloride vs. 1.0% on placebo). Table 1 lists adverse experiences which were reported for cetirizine hydrochloride 5 and 10 mg in pediatric patients aged 6 to 11 years in placebo-controlled clinical trials in the United States and were more common with cetirizine hydrochloride than placebo. Of these, abdominal pain was considered treatment-related and somnolence appeared to be dose-related, 1.3% in placebo, 1.9% at 5 mg and 4.2% at 10 mg. The adverse experiences reported in pediatric patients aged 2 to 5 years in placebo-controlled trials were qualitatively similar in nature and generally similar in frequency to those reported in trials with children aged 6 to 11 years. In the placebo-controlled trials of pediatric patients 6 to 24 months of age, the incidences of adverse experiences were similar in the cetirizine and placebo treatment groups in each study. Somnolence occurred with essentially the same frequency in patients who received cetirizine and patients who received placebo. In a study of 1 week duration in children 6-11 months of age, patients who received cetirizine exhibited greater irritability/fussiness than patients on placebo. In a study of 18 months duration in patients 12 months and older, insomnia occurred more frequently in patients who received cetirizine compared to patients who received placebo (9.0% v. 5.3%). In those patients who received 5 mg or more per day of cetirizine as compared to patients who received placebo, fatigue (3.6% v. 1.3%) and malaise (3.6% v. 1.8%) occurred more frequently. Table 1. Adverse Experiences Reported in Pediatric Patients Aged 6 to 11 Years in Placebo-Controlled United States Cetirizine Hydrochloride Trials (5 or 10 mg Dose) Which Occurred at a Frequency of ≥ 2% in Either the 5 mg or the 10 mg Cetirizine Hydrochloride Group, and More Frequently Than in the Placebo Group Adverse Experiences Placebo (N=309) Cetirizine Hydrochloride 5 mg (N=161) 10mg (N=215) Headache 12.3% 11.0% 14.0% Pharyngitis 2.9% 6.2% 2.8% Abdominal Pains 1.9% 4.4% 5.6% Coughing 3.9% 4.4% 2.8% Somnolence 1.3% 1.9% 4.2% Diarrhea 1.3% 3.1% 1.9% Epistaxis 2.9% 3.7% 1.9% Bronchospasm 1.9% 3.1% 1.9% Nausea 1.9% 1.9% 2.8% Vomiting 1.0% 2.5% 2.3% The following events were observed infrequently (less than 2%), in either 3,982 adults and children 12 years and older or in 659 pediatric patients aged 6 to 11 years who received cetirizine hydrochloride in U.S. trials, including an open adult study of six months duration. A causal relationship of these infrequent events with cetirizine hydrochloride administration has not been established. Autonomic Nervous System: anorexia, flushing, increased salivation, urinary retention. Cardiovascular: cardiac failure, hypertension, palpitation, tachycardia. Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems: abnormal coordination, ataxia, conf …

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

DESCRIPTION Cetirizine hydrochloride is an orally active and selective H 1 -receptor antagonist. The chemical name is (±) - [2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenylmethyl] -1-piperazinyl] ethoxy] acetic acid, dihydrochloride. Cetirizine hydrochloride is a racemic compound with an empirical formula of C 21 H 25 C l N 2 O 3 •2HCl. The molecular weight is 461.82 and the chemical structure is shown below: Cetirizine hydrochloride is a white, crystalline powder and is water soluble. Cetirizine hydrochloride oral solution is a colorless to slightly yellow syrup containing cetirizine hydrochloride at a concentration of 1 mg/mL (5 mg/5 mL) for oral administration. The pH is between 4 and 5. The inactive ingredients of the syrup are: Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP - Fruity Flavor: calcium acetate; fruity flavor; glacial acetic acid; glycerin; methylparaben; propylene glycol; propylparaben; and water. Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP - Grape Flavor: calcium acetate; glacial acetic acid; glycerin; grape flavor; methylparaben; propylene glycol; propylparaben; and water. "Image Description"

OVERDOSAGE Overdosage has been reported with cetirizine hydrochloride. In one adult patient who took 150 mg of cetirizine hydrochloride, the patient was somnolent but did not display any other clinical signs or abnormal blood chemistry or hematology results. In an 18 month old pediatric patient who took an overdose of cetirizine hydrochloride (approximately 180 mg), restlessness and irritability were observed initially; this was followed by drowsiness. Should overdose occur, treatment should be symptomatic or supportive, taking into account any concomitantly ingested medications. There is no known specific antidote to cetirizine hydrochloride. Cetirizine hydrochloride is not effectively removed by dialysis, and dialysis will be ineffective unless a dialyzable agent has been concomitantly ingested. The acute minimal lethal oral doses were 237 mg/kg in mice (approximately 95 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in adults on a mg/m 2 basis, or approximately 40 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in infants on a mg/m 2 basis) and 562 mg/kg in rats (approximately 460 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in adults on a mg/m 2 basis, or approximately 190 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in infants on a mg/m 2 basis). In rodents, the target of acute toxicity was the central nervous system, and the target of multiple-dose toxicity was the liver.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

HOW SUPPLIED Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP is colorless to slightly yellow and available in fruity or grape flavor. Each teaspoon (5 mL) contains 5 mg cetirizine hydrochloride. Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, USP is supplied as follows: NDC 62135-058-41 (Fruity Flavor) 120 mL bottles NDC 62135-058-47 (Fruity Flavor) 473 mL bottles NDC 62135-057-41 (Grape Flavor) 120 mL bottles NDC 62135-057-47 (Grape Flavor) 473 mL bottles STORAGE: Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Manufactured by: Chartwell Pharmaceuticals Carmel, LLC. Carmel, NY 10512 Manufactured for: Chartwell RX, LLC. Congers, NY 10920 Rev. 06/2022 L70915

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
166,303
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
83745-185-04 83745-185 APOZEAL PHARMACEUTICALS INC 120 mL in 1 BOTTLE (83745-185-04) December 20, 2024
83745-185-08 83745-185 APOZEAL PHARMACEUTICALS INC 240 mL in 1 BOTTLE (83745-185-08) December 20, 2024
83745-185-16 83745-185 APOZEAL PHARMACEUTICALS INC 480 mL in 1 BOTTLE (83745-185-16) December 20, 2024
62135-057-41 62135-057 Chartwell RX, LLC 120 mL in 1 BOTTLE (62135-057-41) June 8, 2022
62135-057-47 62135-057 Chartwell RX, LLC 473 mL in 1 BOTTLE (62135-057-47) June 8, 2022
68788-8890-1 68788-8890 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. 120 mL in 1 BOTTLE (68788-8890-1) June 27, 2025
83745-185 83745-185 APOZEAL PHARMACEUTICALS INC — December 20, 2024
62135-057 62135-057 Chartwell RX, LLC — May 11, 2012
68788-8890 68788-8890 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. — June 27, 2025

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 11 sections on this page.