Safest antihistamine for long-term use

Cetirizine is an antihistamine medicine that helps the symptoms of allergies.

It's used to treat:

Cetirizine is known as a non-drowsy antihistamine.

It's much less likely to make you feel sleepy than some other antihistamines.

Cetirizine is available on prescription, but you can also buy it from pharmacies and supermarkets.

It comes as tablets, capsules and as a liquid that you swallow.

• It's usual to take cetirizine once a day. Children aged under 12 take it twice a day.
• Cetirizine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, but some people still find it makes them feel quite sleepy.
• Common side effects include headaches, dry mouth, feeling sick, dizziness and diarrhoea.
• Some brands of cetirizine come as capsules.

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These may contain soya oil. Do not take cetirizine capsules if you are allergic to peanuts or soya.

• Some Benadryl products do not contain cetirizine, but a different antihistamine such as acrivastine.