What is the Difference Between Cetirizine Hydrochloride and Cetirizine Dihydrochloride?

Cetirizine hydrochloride and cetirizine dihydrochloride are both antihistamine medications used to treat allergy symptoms, but they belong to different generations of antihistamines and have slight differences in their structures and properties.

Cetirizine hydrochloride is a second-generation antihistamine sold under the name Zyrtec. It is used to treat allergy symptoms such as hay fever, dermatitis, and urticaria. Generally, the effects of cetirizine hydrochloride begin within an hour and can last for about a day.

Cetirizine dihydrochloride, on the other hand, is a third-generation antihistamine. It is primarily used for treating hay fever-related allergy symptoms. The main difference between the two is that cetirizine dihydrochloride has an extra hydrogen and chlorine atom in its structure. This difference does not significantly impact their effectiveness or usage, as both are antihistamines that work by blocking histamine receptors to reduce allergy symptoms.

In summary, the key differences between cetirizine hydrochloride and cetirizine dihydrochloride are:

• Generation: Cetirizine hydrochloride is a second-generation antihistamine, while cetirizine dihydrochloride is a third-generation antihistamine.
• Structure: Cetirizine dihydrochloride has an extra hydrogen and chlorine atom in its structure compared to cetirizine hydrochloride.
• Allergy symptoms treated: Cetirizine hydrochloride is used to treat various allergy symptoms, while cetirizine dihydrochloride is specifically used for hay fever-related allergy symptoms.

Comparative Table: Cetirizine Hydrochloride vs Cetirizine Dihydrochloride

Here is a table comparing the differences between Cetirizine Hydrochloride and Cetirizine Dihydrochloride:

Cetirizine Hydrochloride is a second-generation antihistamine sold under the trade name Zyrtec. It is used to treat various allergy symptoms, such as hay fever, conjunctivitis, eczema, hives, reactions to insect bites and stings, and some food allergies. It is known as a non-drowsy antihistamine, meaning it is less likely to make you feel sleepy compared to other antihistamines.

Cetirizine Dihydrochloride, on the other hand, is a third-generation antihistamine medication used for treating allergic symptoms. It is sold under the trade name Xyzal. The onset of action for Cetirizine Dihydrochloride is faster than that of Cetirizine Hydrochloride, with effects beginning in around 20-42 minutes.