Cetirizine 5 mg/5 ml: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Hay fever and allergic rhinitis – sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy watery eyes; Hives (urticaria) and itchy skin rashes.
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.20 to ₹0.70 per ml across 7 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / ml | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cetirizine Syrup IP 5 mg per 5 mlJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 60 ml | ₹12.19 | ₹0.20 | 19 October 2026 |
| Incid-L Syrup | Bayer Zydus Pharma Pvt Ltd | 60 ml | ₹37.17 | ₹0.62 | 19 October 2026 |
| Alexcet Syrup | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 60 ml | ₹37.16 | ₹0.62 | 19 October 2026 |
| Leecet Syrup | Leeford Healthcare Ltd | 60 ml | ₹41.25 | ₹0.69 | 19 October 2026 |
| Cetzine Syrup | Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd | 60 ml | ₹42.21 | ₹0.70 | 19 October 2026 |
| Alerid Syrup | Cipla Ltd | 60 ml | ₹42.21 | ₹0.70 | 19 October 2026 |
| Zyrtec Syrup | Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd | 60 ml | ₹42.21 | ₹0.70 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Hay fever and allergic rhinitis – sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy watery eyes.
- Hives (urticaria) and itchy skin rashes.
- Itching from insect bites, eczema and other allergies.
- Allergic symptoms in children, as a syrup that is easier to give than tablets.
How to take it
Cetirizine syrup contains 5 mg in every 5 ml. Children aged 2 to 5 usually take 2.5 mg (2.5 ml) twice a day; children 6 to 11 take 5 mg (5 ml) twice a day with 10 to 12 hours between doses; anyone 12 and above takes 10 mg (10 ml) once a day. Measure with the cup or syringe provided, not a kitchen spoon. It can be given with or without food, at the same time each day. For a one-off reaction a day or two is enough; for seasonal allergies it can be taken daily for the season. Doses are lower in kidney disease. See a doctor if symptoms do not settle in a week, or if a child has breathing difficulty.
Side effects
Common
- Sleepiness or tiredness – the most common effect.
- Headache.
- Dry mouth.
- Dizziness or nausea.
- In children: diarrhoea, sneezing or a runny nose.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Severe allergic reaction – swelling of the lips or throat, difficulty breathing, blistering rash.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding that is slow to stop.
- A child who is limp, floppy or not responding normally – seek emergency help.
Safety information
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol while taking cetirizine; it adds to the drowsiness.
Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Cetirizine is often used when an antihistamine is needed in pregnancy, but take it only on medical advice.
Kidney problems
The dose is usually halved in kidney disease because cetirizine is cleared by the kidneys. Tell your doctor.
Liver problems
Tell your doctor about any liver disease; a lower dose may be used.
Children
The syrup is for children aged 2 and above; under 2, only if a doctor prescribes it. Children often get more sneezing, runny nose or diarrhoea than adults.
Missed dose
Give it as soon as you remember unless the next dose is nearly due. For a child on twice-daily doses, give the missed dose only if it is within 4 hours of when it was due. Never double up.
Interactions
- Other medicines that cause drowsiness – cough syrups with codeine or chlorpheniramine, sleeping tablets, some antidepressants – add to the sleepiness.
- Alcohol – more drowsiness.
- Medicines that cause dry mouth or difficulty passing urine (amitriptyline, some bladder tablets) – side effects add up.
- Herbal and ayurvedic sleep remedies – may add to drowsiness; tell your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Cetzine syrup dose for a 3-year-old?
Children aged 2 to 5 usually get 2.5 ml (2.5 mg) twice a day. Measure with the cup or syringe in the pack and check the dose with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Can Cetzine syrup be given to a 1-year-old?
Only if a doctor prescribes it and works out the dose by weight. Do not give it to babies under 2 on your own.
Does cetirizine syrup cause sleepiness?
Yes, drowsiness is its most common side effect, which is why many parents give it in the evening. Adults should not drive or operate machines if they feel sleepy.
Cetzine vs Allegra – which is better for allergy?
Both treat sneezing, runny nose and itching. Cetirizine works quickly but can cause sleepiness; fexofenadine (Allegra) is non-drowsy but costs more. Children's syrups of both exist; your doctor will suggest one based on age and symptoms.
Can I give Cetzine syrup for a cold and cough?
Cetirizine helps only the allergic part – sneezing, runny nose and itching. It does not cure a viral cold or treat a chest cough. See a doctor if a child has fever, fast breathing or a cough lasting more than a week.
Is cetirizine syrup safe in pregnancy?
Cetirizine is often chosen when an antihistamine is needed in pregnancy or breastfeeding, but take it only after checking with your doctor.
How long does cetirizine take to work?
It usually starts relieving sneezing and itching within an hour, and one dose lasts about 24 hours in adults.
Can cetirizine syrup be taken daily for months?
For seasonal allergies it can be taken daily through the season. If your child needs it every day for months, see a doctor to look for the cause of the allergy and consider a nasal spray or allergy testing.
Sources
- NHS – Cetirizine (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms