Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CETIRIZINE versus VISTARIL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CETIRIZINE versus VISTARIL.
Cetirizine vs VISTARIL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Cetirizine is a selective second-generation H1-receptor antagonist that inhibits histamine release from mast cells and basophils, thereby reducing allergic symptoms.
Hydroxyzine is a piperazine derivative antihistamine that acts as a competitive antagonist of histamine H1 receptors, thereby suppressing histamine activity in the subcortical area of the central nervous system. It also has anxiolytic, sedative, antiemetic, and antispasmodic effects.
10 mg orally once daily; 5 mg orally once daily for mild symptoms
Oral: 50-100 mg 4 times daily; IM: 25-100 mg every 4-6 hours as needed.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 8.3 hours in healthy adults; extended to 20 hours in elderly and patients with renal impairment
Clinical Note
moderateCetirizine + Fluticasone propionate
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Cetirizine is combined with Fluticasone propionate."
Clinical Note
moderateLevocetirizine + Sulfisoxazole
"The metabolism of Sulfisoxazole can be decreased when combined with Levocetirizine."
Clinical Note
moderateLevocetirizine + Erythromycin
"The metabolism of Erythromycin can be decreased when combined with Levocetirizine."
Clinical Note
moderateLevocetirizine + Cyclosporine
Terminal elimination half-life: 20-25 hours in adults; prolonged in hepatic impairment or elderly; steady-state achieved in ~4-5 days.
Primarily renal (60% unchanged in urine); minor biliary/fecal (10%)
Primarily hepatic metabolism; <1% excreted unchanged in urine; biliary/fecal elimination of metabolites accounts for approximately 50-60% of total clearance.
Category A/B
Category C
Antihistamine
Antihistamine
"The metabolism of Cyclosporine can be decreased when combined with Levocetirizine."