Zelary 10 is cetirizine 10 mg, a once-daily antihistamine for allergies. It treats hay fever, year-round allergic rhinitis, hives and allergic itching. The “10” is the strength in milligrams — there is also a syrup at 5 mg per 5 ml for children.
What is Zelary 10?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists Zelary in two forms, both Schedule 2 — available from a pharmacy without a prescription:
| Product | Form | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Zelary | Tablet | Cetirizine dihydrochloride 10 mg |
| Zelary | Syrup | Cetirizine dihydrochloride 5 mg / 5 ml |
The 10 in “Zelary 10” refers to the milligrams of cetirizine in the tablet, not a percentage or a version number. There is no separate stronger or weaker tablet — 10 mg is the standard adult dose.
Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine. It blocks H1 histamine receptors. Histamine, released by mast cells when the immune system reacts to something harmless, causes the swelling, itching, sneezing and mucus that make up an allergic reaction; blocking its receptors interrupts that.
Second-generation means it crosses into the brain far less readily than the older antihistamines, so it causes much less drowsiness. Cetirizine is, however, the most sedating of the modern ones — noticeably more so than loratadine or fexofenadine. A meaningful minority of people feel sleepy on it, which is worth knowing before a working day.
It works within about an hour and lasts a full day.
Cetirizine is sold in South Africa under many names — Zelary, Zyrtec, Zyncet, Austell Cetirizine, Texa and others. Being given a different brand is ordinary substitution; the active ingredient is identical.
What is Zelary 10 commonly used for?
- Hay fever and seasonal allergic rhinitis — sneezing, runny nose, nasal itching, itchy and watery eyes.
- Year-round allergic rhinitis, from dust mites, pets, mould or cockroach allergen.
- Hives (urticaria) and allergic itching.
- Itchy skin in allergic rashes and some eczema flares.
- Insect bite reactions.
- Allergic conjunctivitis.
- Mild allergic reactions, alongside — never instead of — proper emergency treatment for anything severe.
Three practical limits.
It does not treat colds or flu. Those are viral. It may dry a runny nose a little, but fever and body aches point away from allergy entirely.
It does little for a blocked nose. Antihistamines handle sneezing, itching and running well and congestion poorly. Persistent blockage responds better to a steroid nasal spray, which acts on the inflammation directly.
Regular beats reactive. For a predictable allergy season, taking it daily from the start works considerably better than waiting until symptoms have built.
How Zelary 10 fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Second-generation antihistamines | Cetirizine (Zelary 10), levocetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine | Once daily; much less sedating |
| First-generation antihistamines | Chlorphenamine (Rhineton), promethazine | Effective but markedly sedating |
| Steroid nasal sprays | Fluticasone, mometasone | Best for persistent nasal allergy, especially congestion |
| Decongestants | Pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline | Blockage only; short-term; blood pressure cautions |
| Leukotriene blockers | Montelukast | Allergic rhinitis with asthma |
| Eye drops | Antihistamine or cromoglycate drops | Eye symptoms specifically |
For moderate or persistent allergic rhinitis, an antihistamine plus a steroid nasal spray generally works better than either alone. See the allergy, cold and flu medicines hub.
What to check before using Zelary 10
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you:
- Have kidney disease or reduced kidney function. This is the main check — cetirizine is cleared by the kidneys and the dose usually needs reducing.
- Have liver disease or epilepsy.
- Have difficulty passing urine, an enlarged prostate, or a bladder problem.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Take sedating medicines — sleeping tablets, strong painkillers, some antidepressants — or drink alcohol regularly.
- Are already taking another antihistamine, including one hidden inside a cold and flu remedy. Doubling up is common and adds drowsiness without adding benefit.
- Are elderly, where kidney function is often reduced without a diagnosis.
- Are buying for a child. Use the syrup at the dose for their age and weight; adult tablets are not suitable for young children.
Practical points:
- Take it once daily at the same time, with or without food. Many prefer the evening, so any drowsiness falls at night.
- Measure the syrup with the device supplied, not a kitchen spoon.
- Do not drive until you know how it affects you — cetirizine is the most sedating of the modern antihistamines.
- If you are due for allergy skin prick testing, antihistamines interfere with the results and usually need stopping several days beforehand. Ask before booking.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, tiredness and occasionally stomach discomfort. In children, restlessness or irritability is sometimes seen instead of sedation.
Get emergency help immediately for signs of a severe allergic reaction — swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, widespread hives with faintness, or collapse. Anaphylaxis is treated with adrenaline. An antihistamine tablet is not adequate treatment for it, and taking one instead of calling for help costs time that matters.
Contact a doctor if:
- Symptoms are not controlled after a week or two of regular use.
- You need an antihistamine most days for months — a steroid nasal spray, allergy testing or immunotherapy may serve you better.
- Hives last more than six weeks, or come with joint pain, fever or weight loss.
- You have wheezing, chest tightness or breathlessness. Allergy and asthma frequently travel together, and asthma needs its own treatment.
- A child becomes unusually agitated, drowsy or unwell on it.
- You have kidney problems and have not had the dose checked.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Allergy, Cold & Flu Medicines guides
- Read: Austell Cetirizine used for
- Read: Rhineton used for
Frequently asked questions
What are Zelary 10 tablets used for? Allergies — hay fever, year-round allergic rhinitis, hives, allergic itching and allergic eye symptoms. It contains cetirizine 10 mg.
What does the 10 mean? Ten milligrams of cetirizine per tablet — the standard adult dose, not a version number.
Is it the same as Zyrtec? Both contain cetirizine. The brand differs; the active ingredient does not.
Will it make me drowsy? It can. Cetirizine is the most sedating of the modern antihistamines, though far less so than the older ones. Find out how it affects you before driving.
How quickly does it work? Usually within an hour, lasting about a day.
Will it unblock my nose? Not much. For congestion, a steroid nasal spray usually works better.
Can I give it to my child? Use the syrup at the dose for their age and weight, and ask a pharmacist. Adult tablets are not suitable for young children.
Do I need a prescription? No. It is Schedule 2 — available from a pharmacy without one.