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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

PubMedForensic science international2026-09-15

Can a single dose of cetirizine and meclizine be quantified in hair up to one year after intake?

Bílek Jan J, Nielsen Marie Katrine Klose MKK, Kronstrand Robert R, Johansen Sys Stybe SS

Cetirizine and meclizine are over-the-counter H1 antihistamines available in many countries. Meclizine can have a considerable sedative effect and can therefore be used in drug-facilitated crimes to incapacitate victims. Cetirizine does not usually produce a sedative effect but is often detected in drug-facilitated crimes. Quantification possibilities, reference concentrations, and temporal patterns of these antihistamines in hair, however, remain unknown. A single-dose study was conducted to investigate whether a single dose of cetirizine and meclizine could be quantified in head hair up to one year after intake. Twelve adult volunteers ingested a single dose of cetirizine (8.4 mg) and meclizine (23 mg). Hair samples were collected one, three, five, and twelve months after intake and analyzed using LC-MS/MS, with a lower limit of quantification of 1 pg/mg. Cetirizine was quantifiable in 100%, 100%, and 92% of the hair samples collected one, three, and five months post-intake, respectively. Meclizine was quantifiable in 100%, 92%, and 67% of the corresponding samples. In contrast, at one year post-intake, cetirizine and meclizine were quantifiable in only 40% and 10% of hair samples, respectively. Concentrations determined in 1-cm-long hair segments within one year after intake ranged from 0 to 14 pg/mg for cetirizine and from 0 to 19 pg/mg for meclizine. The findings demonstrate that a single dose of cetirizine or meclizine may be detectable and quantifiable in hair for several months. Moreover, temporal patterns following a single dose may resemble those observed after repeated intake, highlighting the need for drug-specific single-dose studies.

PMID 42743595
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PubMedInflammopharmacology2026-09-14

HPLC-characterized phenolics from Acer oblongifolium attenuate inflammation, pain, and CNS-related disturbances: docking, edema, nociception, and behavioural studies.

Ismail Hammad H, Hadri Saqib Hussain SH, Rashid Umer U, Ashraf Hafiza Aqsa HA et al.

Phenolic compounds of plant origin are promising alternatives, but the potential of Acer oblongifolium and its components has not been studied. To evaluate analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic effects of Acer oblongifolium extract and four of its major phenolics, catechin, syringic acid, vanillic acid and gentisic acid-with the help of in silico, in vivo and biochemical techniques. HPLC was performed to investigate the phenolic content of the plant extract. The binding of known compounds with TNF α, IL-6 and IL-1β was evaluated with the help of molecular docking. In-vivo tests, including the hole board test, open field test, hot plate test, writhing assay, carrageenan induced paw edema and histamine induced edema were used to evaluate the pharmaceutical potential. ELISA was performed to measure serum and tissue IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels. HPLC validated the presence of four phenolic compounds, including Gentisic acid, vanillic acid, catechin and syringic acid. Gentisic acid exhibited strong hydrogen binding with TNF-α and IL-1β. The most pronounced anxiolytic-like activity was exhibited by vanillic acid which decreased immobility by 60% and freezing behavior by 62% in open field test, and enhanced the latency of hot plate by 30%. Gentisic acid prevented carrageenan induced paw swelling by 82% at 3 h and vanillic acid prevented histamine induced edema by 80%, which was better than cetirizine. ELISA indicated that both Gentisic acid and catechin were the most effective in reducing high levels of IL-1β and TNF-α levels in serum and brain tissue from 4.55 to 2.035 pg/mL. Acer oblongifolium and its phenolic constituents, principally Gentisic acid and vanillic acid, showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic-like activity in this preclinical model, potentially mediated via modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

PMID 42734841
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PubMedOphthalmology2026-09-10

Association of Common Anti-Inflammatory Medications with Reduced Risk of Vision-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes.

Bison Henry S HS, Zhu Angela S AS, Borissov Martin M, Jung Hee-Jae HJ et al.

To determine whether adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using cetirizine, ibuprofen, or prednisone have a reduced incidence of diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study. Adults with T2DM and documented eye-care in the TriNetX US Collaborative Network who had two documented uses of cetirizine, ibuprofen, prednisone, fenofibrate, or gabapentin between January 1, 2005, and March 1, 2025. Each drug cohort was 1:1 propensity score-matched on 44 covariates against non-users; fenofibrate served as a positive control, and gabapentin served as both a negative control and an active comparator. Residual confounding was assessed using eight ophthalmic negative-control outcomes (NCOs) and E-values. Nine sensitivity analyses tested comparison to users of gabapentin, alternative outcome windows, a new-user design, glycemic strata, matching for drug indication, and exposure duration. Incident DME and PDR within 3 years of the index date. Matched-pair counts ranged from 18,762 to 86,846. Cetirizine was associated with reduced DME (hazard ratio [HR], 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.74) and PDR (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.46-0.77); ibuprofen with reduced DME (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.56-0.69) and PDR (HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.41-0.56); and prednisone with reduced DME (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.41-0.52) and PDR (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.30-0.43). Fenofibrate showed associations of similar magnitude (DME HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.48-0.68; PDR HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.45-0.77); gabapentin showed no association (DME HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.88-1.02; PDR HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.93-1.15). Point E-values for the investigational drugs ranged from 2.57 to 4.97 (lower 95% CI bound, 1.93 to 4.06). The NCO panel was near null for cetirizine and ibuprofen and showed mild protective bias for prednisone and fenofibrate. Findings persisted across the nine sensitivity analyses. Cetirizine, ibuprofen, and prednisone were associated with reduced incidence of DME and PDR in adults with T2DM, with effect sizes comparable to those of the fenofibrate positive control. These findings support prospective evaluation of anti-inflammatory medications for the prevention of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.

PMID 42722111
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PubMedExperimental hematology2026-09-03

Mast cell-derived histamine negatively regulates hematopoiesis.

Klein Bailey R BR, Smith Julianne N P JNP, Katabathula Ramachandra R, Rashmil Ritisha R et al.

Mast cell-derived histamine restrains hematopoietic stem cell activity by shaping the bone marrow niche. Blocking histamine signaling with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antihistamine cetirizine expands the stem and progenitor pool and accelerates hematopoietic recovery after transplant, pointing to a repurposable strategy for boosting blood regeneration in patients.

PMID 42692326
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PubMedIndian journal of pharmacology2026-09-02

Levocetirizine-induced paradoxical fixed drug eruption: A case report with causality assessment.

Remesh Ambili A, Lekshmi Madhavi S MS, Reshmi Subramaniam S

Fixed drug eruptions (FDE) are drug-induced skin reactions that repeatedly occur at the same anatomical site. The skin lesions are usually clear hyperpigmented patches that may develop into blisters. The skin response involves type IV delayed hypersensitivity reactions and is caused by drug-specific memory CD8 T-cells located at the affected skin site. Levocetirizine, an H1-selective second-generation piperazine antihistamine, has a good safety profile and is used to treat the skin reactions. Its nonprescription availability leads to self-medication and unrecognised adverse drug reactions (ADR). FDE due to levocetirizine, as well as with cetirizine, is less common in the literature. This case was reported to our ADR Monitoring Center and causality was assessed as probable and preventable. This case shows that antihistamines such as levocetirizine can trigger FDE in susceptible individuals. Improving clinical awareness through robust Pharmacovigilance activities, educating patients about triggers, and discouraging self-medication are crucial for preventing recurrence.

PMID 42683994
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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
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