Zirtek is a range of antihistamine medicines based on Cetirizine for hay fever and other allergies such as dust and pet allergies, insect stings and other skin allergies.

Zirtek is available in two packs:

• Zirtek Allergy Tablets
• Zirtek Allergy Relief For Children  

Zirtek is a 2nd generation non-sedating antihistamine, which means it does not cause drowsiness in the majority of people, as it does not enter the brain.

In an allergic realction histamine is released, which causes the release of other body chemicals, which cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as swelling, itching and irritation. The Cetirizine in Zirtek is an antihistamine. The histamine is still released, but the cetirizine blocks histamine H1 receptors, and stops them reacting to the histamine, and prevents the allergic reaction from progressing fully.