Antihistamines may interact with:
Other drugs that cause drowsiness, such as sleeping medications, narcotic pain medications, sedatives, muscle relaxants, antidepressants and seizure medications.
Antihistamines can react with other medicines. Different antihistamines have different interactions. If you're already taking other medicines, check with your pharmacist or GP before you take an antihistamine. And read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine carefully.
Do Allergy Medicines Interact with My Blood Pressure Medication? Most antihistamines are generally safe to take with your blood pressure medication.
Zyrtec may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety).
Sandoz issued a voluntary recall of 1,023,430 units of Zyrtec (10 mg) capsules as a result of failed impurities and a specification being reported for impurity at the 21-month stability time point, according to an FDA Enforcement Report.
For allergy sufferers with heart disease, medicines such as Allegra, Zyrtec or Claritin should be safe. However, medicines containing decongestants — including Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D — could increase your blood pressure and heart rate or interfere with your heart medication.
Second-generation antihistamines that are not combined with decongestants are the best choice for people with hypertension. These include oral medications like: Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Antihistamines are part of many combination over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products. They may be combined with a medication that can raise your blood pressure. This includes ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).
If you have high blood pressure, you should not use decongestants. Although these medicines can relieve nasal congestion and improve breathing, decongestants can worsen your existing high blood pressure⁷.
So what can older adults safely take for allergy relief? Wozniak: Newer antihistamines such as Claritin® (loratadine) and Allegra® (fexofenadine) tend to be safer and better tolerated.
Claritin and Zyrtec are effective and safe for most people with minor allergies. However, as with all medications, there may be some side effects. Loratadine—present in Claritin—may not be safe for people with severe liver conditions.
To sum it up, all first-generation H1 antihistamines should be taken close to bedtime or when you're able to sleep. Second-generation H1 antihistamines and H2 blockers can typically be taken at any time of the day. One exception to this is cetirizine, which can cause drowsiness for up to 14% of those who take it.
Oral antihistamines, such as Zyrtec and Benadryl, shouldn't be taken together without a healthcare provider's OK. Taking oral antihistamines together can lead to additional side effects and potentially an antihistamine overdose. Signs of an overdose may include the following: Fast or racing heartbeat.
Yes, you can take cetirizine together with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Can I take 2 types of antihistamine in 1 day? Sometimes doctors recommend that people with a severe, itchy skin rash take 2 different antihistamines together for a few days.
First generation antihistamines, while very effective at controlling symptoms, are often associated with symptoms in older adults such as anxiety, confusion, sedation, blurred vision, reduced mental alertness, urinary retention and constipation.
Antihistamines are generally viewed as safe, even for people with heart disease or high blood pressure. However, the FDA does state that antihistamines could elevate heart rate and blood pressure temporarily. Additionally, some antihistamine drugs also contain decongestant ingredients.
Antihistamines, which are commonly used to treat symptoms such as a runny nose or sneezing, are generally safe for patients with abnormal heart conditions. However, the FDA has warned that antihistamines taken in conjunction with some high blood pressure medications may cause a spike in blood pressure.
In the drug realm, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin) can help with a stuffy nose are safe for the heart.
“Zyrtec is found to be more potent, or stronger, in laboratory studies, compared with Claritin,” says Dr. Kung. “It also reaches a higher concentration in the skin, which can be more helpful for skin-related allergies. However, Zyrtec has a greater chance of making you sleepy while taking it.”
Cough medicines designed specifically for people with high blood pressure (like Coricidin HBP) are one option. Some providers may also recommend guaifenesin (Mucinex) or dextromethorphan (Robitussin). However, avoid the “CF” and “D” varieties of both medications.
Coricidin ® HBP is the #1 selling† brand of powerful cold medicine specially formulated for those with high blood pressure. Nasal decongestants in common cold medications may raise one's blood pressure.