Cetirizine Ophthalmic

Cetirizine ophthalmic is used for ocular (eye) itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Cetirizine ophthalmic is available under the following different brand names: Zerviate.

Dosages of Cetirizine Ophthalmic:

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Ophthalmic Solution

• 0.24%

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Allergic Conjunctivitis

• Indicated for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis
• Adults and children 2 years and older: Instill 1 drop in each affected eye twice daily (approximately 8 hours apart)
• Children under 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established

Common side effects of benzhydrocodone/acetaminophen include:

• Eye redness
• Instillation site pain
• Reduced visual acuity

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Cetirizine ophthalmic has no listed severe interactions with other drugs.
• Cetirizine ophthalmic has no listed serious interactions with other drugs.
• Cetirizine ophthalmic has no listed moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Cetirizine ophthalmic has no listed mild interactions with other drugs.

Warnings

This medication contains cetirizine ophthalmic. Do not take Zerviate if you are allergic to cetirizine ophthalmic or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cetirizine Ophthalmic?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cetirizine Ophthalmic?"

Cautions

• Care should be taken not to touch the eyelids or surrounding areas with the dropper tip of the bottle to prevent contaminating the tip and solution; keep the bottle closed when not in use
• Advise patient to not wear contact lenses if their eye is red
• Do not instill drops while wearing contact lenses; remove contacts before instillation; maybe reinserted 10 minutes after administration; benzalkonium chloride (preservative) may be absorbed by soft contact lenses
• Not for the treatment of contact lens-related irritation

Pregnancy and Lactation

No adequate or well-controlled studies of cetirizine ophthalmic have been conducted in pregnant women. Use cetirizine ophthalmic in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

It is unknown if cetirizine ophthalmic is distributed in human breast milk. Orally administered cetirizine is excreted in human breast milk. Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother's clinical need for cetirizine ophthalmic, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or the underlying maternal condition.