Official answer. Cetirizine can be taken at any time of the day. In most people it is non-sedating, so they take it in the morning. However, a percentage of people do find it to be sedating so if it does make you drowsy it is best to take it in the evening.
What's the best time of day to take ZYRTEC®? Any time of day works. And ZYRTEC® will continue to work for 24 hours.
Take Allergy Medications at Night
Many allergy medications, such as Zyrtec, are recommended every 24 hours. By taking the medication before bedtime you're more likely to get through the night without the active ingredients wearing off or becoming less effective closer to the end of the 24 hour period.
Best in the evening: Allergy meds
Once-daily antihistamines, such as Claritin, reach their peak eight to 12 hours after you take them, so using them at dinnertime or before bed means better control of morning symptoms.
For many people with allergies, symptoms are the worst around 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Taking an antihistamine at bedtime may help you or your child feel better in the morning during allergy season.
For people who take an antihistamine such as Benadryl for a cold or allergies, drowsiness is often a welcome side effect. But a Baylor College of Medicine sleep expert cautions against turning to this type of medication as a sleep aid.
As well as taking a non-drowsy antihistamine during the day (such as fexofenadine, cetirizine or loratadine), your doctor may advise that you take a drowsy antihistamine at night if itching is making it difficult to sleep.
Is it safe to take Zyrtec every day? Yep. "When taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily. This is especially true with Zyrtec, since it doesn't show decreasing effectiveness if used daily," says Sima Patel, MD, an allergist at New York Allergy & Sinus Centers.
Response and effectiveness. Peak concentrations are reached within one hour of administration of Zyrtec tablets or syrup. The onset of effect occurs within 20 minutes in 50% of people and within an hour in 95%. Effects persist for at least 24 hours following a single dose of Zyrtec.
Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine that crosses the blood–brain barrier, has been previously associated with insomnia and nocturnal awakenings, and can cause tolerance with long-term use.
Some medications for treating allergies, like Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Allegra (fexofenadine) last 24 hours and don't need to be taken at night. But if you're combating allergy symptoms with a different antihistamine first thing in the morning, keep in mind that its effects will only last six to eight hours.
Drowsiness, tiredness, and dry mouth may occur. Stomach pain may also occur, especially in children. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
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.
Antihistamines. Antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and cimetidine (Tagamet) are more effective when you take them on an empty stomach because of better absorption.
Do allergy symptoms get worse at night? Yes, allergy symptoms get worse at night. This can happen because laying down increases congestion, you're allergic to things in your bedroom like dust mites, and you're more aware of symptoms when you don't have daytime distractions.
Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) aren't known to raise blood pressure when used alone. 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.
Postnasal drip caused by allergies can be managed with OTC antihistamines and decongestants. Note that older antihistamines like Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton can actually thicken mucus; instead, try Claritin, Alavert, Allegra, Zyrtec, Xyzal or Clarinex.
“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.”
You should not use Zyrtec-D if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, severe high blood pressure (hypertension), severe coronary artery disease, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are allergic to hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril). Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.
Claritin and Zyrtec are effective and safe for most people with minor allergies.
While there's no set timeline for when someone should stop taking an antihistamine, one should speak to a doctor or drug rehabilitation specialist if they feel like they have become addicted to your antihistamine. The severity and length of an antihistamine withdrawal will depend on the specific drug.
Examples of medicines that could cause problems if taken with antihistamines include some types of: antidepressants. stomach ulcer or indigestion medicines. cough and cold remedies that also contain an antihistamine.
by Drugs.com
This is a therapeutic duplication and it is usually recommended to take only one antihistamine at any time, however if you have been prescribed to take both together then it is appropriate. If you do experience any odd symptoms please see your doctor.
Adults and children 6 years and older Chew and swallow 2 tablet (10 mg) once daily; do not take more than 1 tablet (10 mg) in 24 hours. A 5 mg product may be appropriate for less severe symptoms.