Drug Database
CE

cetirizine (QZYTIR / JDP207 / Quzyttir)

✓ Approved

Hospira Inc · HRH1 · Small Molecule

What is cetirizine?

cetirizine is a small molecule developed by Hospira Inc. It is approved for therapeutic indications via injectable (others) or intramuscular (im) injection or intravenous (iv).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesQZYTIR, JDP207, Quzyttir
CompanyHospira Inc
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetHRH1
RouteInjectable (Others), Intramuscular (IM) Injection, Intravenous (IV)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Hospira Inc

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

cetirizine acts on 1 molecular target:

HRH1histamine receptor H1 (HH1R, H1R)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

cetirizine is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disordersUrticaria✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedFrontiers in medicine2026-08-28

Second-generation H1 antihistamines for the treatment of chronic urticaria: a network meta-analysis.

Li Zixuan Z, Zhang Juan J, Zheng Yaqi Y, Zhang Mingyan M et al.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 10 commonly used second-generation H1 antihistamines (cetirizine, levocetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine, ebastine, bilastine, olopatadine, rupatadine, fexofenadine, and mizolastine) at licensed doses in treating chronic urticaria using network meta-analysis. Seven electronic databases were searched, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System. Relevant literature from inception to the end of December 2025 was retrieved. Studies meeting the criteria were selected, and network meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16 software. A total of 54 studies involving 7,290 patients were included. Network meta-analysis indicated that olopatadine, mizolastine, bilastine, and levocetirizine were more effective than placebo in improving total symptom scores. All 10 drugs were superior to placebo in reducing itching scores, although only fexofenadine achieved statistical significance. For reducing wheal scores, ebastine was significantly more effective than mizolastine and loratadine. Regarding adverse reactions, no significant differences were observed between any of the drugs and placebo, with fexofenadine having the lowest adverse reaction rate. Sensitivity analyses excluding highrisk studies confirmed the robustness of findings across all outcomes. Based on current evidence, olopatadine at licensed dose exhibited the best efficacy in reducing total symptom scores. Fexofenadine was most effective for improving itching scores and ebastine was optimal for reducing wheal scores. In addition, fexofenadine had the lowest incidence of adverse reactions. However, the conclusions of this study still need to be validated by further high-quality randomized controlled trials.

PMID 42662818
Read full article →
PubMedFrontiers in oncology2026-08-15

Paraneoplastic dermatomyositis-like syndrome preceding diagnosis of small cell lung cancer: a case report.

Wang Jinwei J, Jiang Meiling M, Chen Kun K, Zhang Bo B et al.

Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) are frequently misdiagnosed as independent neurological, endocrine, cutaneous, or rheumatic immune disorders due to their low incidence, highly variable, and complex clinical presentations. Currently, when faced with clinically unexplainable phenomena, PNS is seldom considered in the differential diagnosis. A 68-year-old non-smoking Chinese male presented with insidious digital clubbing in 2021 and refractory cutaneous eruptions in 2023, which were initially diagnosed as granulomatous rosacea and erythroderma. However, treatment with ketotifen, cetirizine, and the immunosuppressant cyclosporine led only to partial regression of the rash, with persistent pruritus. Approximately 3 years after the insidious onset of digital clubbing and 1 year after the skin lesions flared, in April 2024, chest PET/CT scan revealed a mass in the left lower lobe and a nodule in the dorsal segment of the right lower lobe. A biopsy confirmed extensive-stage small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC).His dermatological manifestations, which progressed to edema and dysphagia, and ancillary examination results were subsequently attributed to a paraneoplastic dermatomyositis-like syndrome. Chemotherapy for SCLC resulted in resolution of the skin lesions and disease control. This case underscores the critical role of PNS as an early indicator of occult malignancy and highlights the therapeutic challenges in managing paraneoplastic dermatomyositis-like syndrome.

PMID 42601934
Read full article →
PubMedThe American journal of emergency medicine2026-08-11

Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis after previous immediate hypersensitivity: A case report.

Duyan Murat M, Akcimen Mehmet M, Balci Dilara D, Has Halit H

Rabies is almost invariably fatal after symptom onset but is preventable with timely post-exposure prophylaxis. A 23-year-old woman presented after a category III stray-cat bite. In 2022, tongue swelling and generalized urticaria had occurred immediately after her first rabies vaccine dose, and the series was discontinued. Because the new exposure was high risk and she was not fully immunized, prophylaxis was administered in a resuscitation area with intramuscular epinephrine and advanced airway equipment immediately available. Equine rabies immunoglobulin and vaccine were given after antihistamine and corticosteroid premedication. Only transient localized erythema occurred. After the first two doses were tolerated during 16- and 8-h observation periods, the third and fourth doses were administered after oral cetirizine with 4-h monitoring in a standard monitored area. After individualized assessment, prophylaxis may be completed despite previous immediate hypersensitivity when full resuscitation preparedness and progressive de-escalation of monitoring are used. Premedication does not prevent anaphylaxis and must not replace prompt epinephrine treatment.

PMID 42580000
Read full article →
PubMedNaunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology2026-08-10

Paracetamol-induced hepatic injury following intentional self-poisoning: a case report and therapeutic considerations.

Misbah Ul Haq Mohammed M, Yousuf Khan Amer Khan AK, Mohiuddin Mohammed M, Fareedullah Mohammed M

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose is a common cause of drug-induced hepatocellular injury and represents an important clinical emergency requiring timely evaluation and evidence-based management. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) remains the established antidote for preventing the progression of hepatic injury when administered promptly. We describe the case of an 18-year-old female who intentionally ingested eight tablets of paracetamol (650 mg each; total dose 5.2 g) and four tablets of cetirizine (10 mg each) following psychosocial distress. On presentation, she reported abdominal pain and had a history of transient altered consciousness prior to hospital arrival. Initial biochemical evaluation demonstrated mild hepatocellular injury, with serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of 250 IU/L and 300 IU/L, respectively, while serum bilirubin and coagulation parameters (PT/INR) remained within normal limits, indicating the absence of acute liver failure. Following clinical assessment, the patient underwent gastric decontamination and received the standard intravenous NAC regimen, supportive therapy, serial monitoring of liver function, and comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Liver enzyme concentrations progressively declined during hospitalization, reaching AST 60 IU/L and ALT 70 IU/L by day 3, with complete clinical recovery and no evidence of hepatic complications. Psychiatric assessment identified underlying psychosocial factors contributing to the intentional overdose, and appropriate pharmacological treatment and follow-up were initiated before discharge. This case demonstrates that favorable outcomes can be achieved through early risk assessment, guideline-directed NAC therapy, serial biochemical monitoring, and multidisciplinary management addressing both the toxicological and psychosocial aspects of intentional paracetamol overdose.

PMID 42573610
Read full article →
PubMedBiomedical chromatography : BMC2026-08-01

Ultra-Sensitive and Validated method for Trace Quantification of Carcinogenic Benzene in Cetirizine Dihydrochloride.

Gharat Mithun M MM, Roy Pallavi T PT, Gosar Amit N AN, Shaikh Tabrez A TA et al.

Benzene (BENZ) is classified as a Class 1 residual solvent according to ICH Q3C guidelines due to its established classification as a Group 1 human carcinogen. During the chemical production of Cetirizine Dihydrochloride (CTZ) API, Cetirizine Dihydrochloride tablet (CTZT), Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride (LCTZ) API, and Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride tablet (LCTZT), BENZ can appear as a residual process impurity with carcinogenic risk; development of a highly sensitive quantification method is a critical requirement for pharmaceutical quality control. This study focused on developing and validating a method for detecting trace-level BENZ in CTZ and LCTZ drug substance and drug product. The method demonstrated exceptional sensitivity, with a least detectable concentration of 0.04 ppm and a quantifiable concentration of 0.12 ppm, significantly lower than the ICH-mandated safety limit of 2 ppm. Linearity and accuracy studies yielded an outstanding percentage of samples spiked BEN in the drug substance and drug product of CTZ and LCTZ and found within acceptance limit, approving the method's validity in presence of the drug atmosphere. Conventional headspace GC-FID/GC-MS are established techniques for benzene analysis; the proposed HPLC method offers a simpler, cost-effective, and validated method, making it well suited for routine quality control laboratories where GC facilities may not be readily available.

PMID 42538839
Read full article →
PubMedBMJ (Clinical research ed.)2026-07-30

Antihistamines for atopic dermatitis (eczema): systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Chu Alexandro W L AWL, Wen Aaron A, Guyatt Gordon H GH, Rao Muhammad M et al.

To systematically synthesise the benefits and harms of add-on oral antihistamines for managing atopic dermatitis (eczema). Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials. Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, the United States Food and Drug Administration, and the European Medicines Agency databases from database inception to 5 May 2025. Randomised trials assessing add-on oral H1 antihistamines, H2 blockers, mast cell stabilisers (nedocromil sodium and sodium cromoglycate), or their combinations. Paired reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using a modified Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2. Random effects bayesian meta-analyses synthesised atopic dermatitis severity (oSCORAD-objective scoring atopic dermatitis, 0-83; minimal important difference 8.2; lower better), itch severity (numerical rating scale, 0-10; minimal important difference 3; lower better), sleep disturbance, atopic dermatitis related quality of life, and harms. The network meta-analysis GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) and Core GRADE approaches informed certainty of evidence ratings. 47 trials enrolled 6230 children and adults with primarily moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. With moderate certainty, compared with placebo, adding a first generation or second generation H1 antihistamine likely resulted in a small reduction in atopic dermatitis severity (mean difference -1.87, 95% credible interval -3.47 to -0.27) and itch severity (-0.89, -1.41 to -0.37). Although statistically detectable, these effects are well below established minimal important differences (smallest change in an outcome that a patient would identify as important). With low certainty, all studied interventions may not improve sleep disturbance or reduce atopic dermatitis exacerbations. First generation agents probably increase cognitive impairment and may increase treatment discontinuation because of adverse events (risk difference 66 more per 1000, 95% credible interval 0 to 231 more; moderate certainty). Second generation agents differ in their risk of cognitive impairment (range of mean effects 0 more per 1000 for loratadine, 16 more per 1000 for levocetirizine, and 17 more per 1000 for cetirizine). Among patients with atopic dermatitis, adding H1 antihistamines probably results in a clinically unimportant reduction in atopic dermatitis severity and itch severity, and may not reduce sleep disturbance or atopic dermatitis exacerbations. First generation agents increase cognitive impairment and may increase treatment discontinuation because of adverse events. Cognitive impairment risk differs among second generation agents. These findings provide evidence against routine antihistamine use in atopic dermatitis management and will inform updated clinical guidelines. PROSPERO CRD42022345643.

PMID 42526949
Read full article →

+1856 more articles available with a free account

Sign up free to view all articles →

Ask about cetirizine