Contents
In some cases, mixing alcohol with medications can lead to an overdose or alcohol poisoning—both of which are potentially life-threatening medical emergencies. Unlike first-generation antihistamines, cetirizine is less likely to cause side effects such as dangerous drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and overheating. Prescription antihistamines are often chosen by doctors because they are considered safer options than some other possible prescription medication. For example, benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax are both possible medications for insomnia and anxiety. However, benzodiazepines are widely accepted to cause physical dependence in a relatively short period of time and to have a high risk of misuse. If you have alcohol addiction, your treatment team may recommend that you do not take antihistamines due to the potential side effects.
- If you lie about the amount of alcohol you consume on a regular basis, your doctor can’t accurately judge the risks and benefits of prescribing a particular medication.
- Because of these potential risks, people taking Zyrtec are advised to avoid alcohol.
- The chance for side effects such as extreme drowsiness and difficulty breathing are amplified with alcohol interaction and can be indicative of an overdose.
- Zyrtec is an antihistamine that is used to treat allergy-related symptoms including runny nose, itchiness, sneezing, hives, and watery eyes.
- You will want to avoid alcohol for three days before you start and after you stop Flagyl.
If you have trouble in sleeping, take the last dose of this medicine for each day a few hours before bedtime. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor. Antihistamines may cause dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute.
Is the Alcohol Amount Important for Interaction with Zyrtec?
If your doctor feels it’s safe for you to take, they may recommend taking less than the typical dosage. Even though cetirizine doesn’t usually cause drowsiness, some people respond differently when taking it, especially in the first few doses. These reactions can happen after you touch or inhale allergens such as plant pollen, mold, or pet dander. Allergies usually affect your nose, sinuses, throat, and other areas of your upper respiratory system.
The recommended daily amount of alcohol is 1 standard drink for women and 2 standard drinks for men. One standard alcoholic drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. While alcohol should be avoided while taking Zyrtec due to the chances of serious side effects, the amount of alcohol can also affect the severity of those side effects. The AlcoholicsAnonymous.com helpline is free, private, and confidential.
Overdosing on Zyrtec and Alcohol
Generally, cetirizine is a safe and effective drug, but you should be aware of certain warnings and precautions when taking this drug. Learn how this drug works, what it’s used for, and how to take it safely. Cetirizine is an allergy medication that you can buy over the counter at a pharmacy. Information appearing on Drugsdb.com is of a general nature and is not intended to diagnose or treat any health condition. It is compiled from sources such as the U.S National Library of Medicine and FDA Approved Product Labels.
If you are taking Zyrtec under medical supervision, be sure to discuss with your healthcare provider your alcohol consumption. Still, Zyrtec is not the only drug that becomes dangerous when mixed with alcohol. Several drugs can cause life-threating side effects when mixed with alcohol, so it’s important to know how medications interact with alcohol before mixing them. These are only a handful of the side effects that occur when drinking alcohol with Zyrtec. Always consult with your doctor before mixing alcohol with medication.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking allergy medicine?
Excessive sleepiness makes it tough to concentrate or perform work and driving or operating machinery could be especially dangerous. Although you can take medications that provide symptom relief, Harvard Health Publishing states that allergy pretreatment, or antihistamines, will result in better symptom control. When some of those airborne particles enter your eyes, throat and nose, your body releases histamines to combat the perceived invaders. Symptoms may include congestion, sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, a chronic cough and a sore throat.
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Alcohol alone and prescription drug medication abuse can end up leading to dependence and even addiction. While a person may not be meaning to become addicted to alcohol or a medication, it can happen to anyone. It’s important to have the right resources to overcome addiction and live a better life. Whether it is Zyrtec, alcohol, or another substance, help is available at Northern Illinois Recovery.
On their own, opioids can cause drowsiness, dizziness, slowed or impaired breathing, impaired motor control, abnormal behavior, and memory loss. Combining alcohol with medications used to treat hypertension can cause dizziness, fainting, drowsiness, and arrhythmia . These drugs can also make the effects of alcohol more intense, leading to impaired judgment and sedation. Harmful physical effects such as seizures may occur in some cases. The longer a person misuses stimulants and alcohol together, the higher the risk becomes of developing substance use disorders. If you lie about the amount of alcohol you consume on a regular basis, your doctor can’t accurately judge the risks and benefits of prescribing a particular medication.
The most common side effects of Zyrtec are drowsiness, fatigue, and dry mouth. Other potential side effects include dizziness, headache, and stomach upset. If you experience any of these side effects, consult your doctor. Taking too much Zyrtec or combining it with other drugs, like alcohol, can also lead to overdose. If you suspect that you or someone is experiencing an overdose, dial 9-11 immediately and get medical attention. It is not recommended to mix Zyrtec and alcohol as it can increase the side effects of both substances.
If you have angina, you might be prescribed a medication called nitroglycerin. Tell your doctor about any unexpected side effects that you have while taking cetirizine. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s listof signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Benadryl and Alcohol Interactions Did you know that Benadryl should not be combined with… Tramadol and Alcohol Mixing tramadol and alcohol can be very dangerous.
Side Effects of A Zyrtec Allergy
It is time to enjoy the cool weather with the advent of the rains. Along with fun, one should also be mindful of the diseases that are common in this season. Monosodium glutamate or MSG is used to enhance flavor especially in Chinese cuisine. Individuals allergic to MSG experience headache and nausea.
Itchy skin is an unpleasant skin sensation that urges the person to scratch. The main causes of itchy skin include dandruff, allergic reactions. Cetirizine is an antihistamine, prescribed for allergic https://sober-house.org/ reactions. Mixing these medications with alcohol intensifies the side effects and increases the risk of a fatal overdose. One of the deadliest combinations is alcohol and narcotic pain medications.
First, some medications, including cold and allergy drugs, contain multiple ingredients that can react with alcohol. If the medication label isn’t clear, consult with your pharmacist about the potentially negative effects of combining the two substances. If you have chronic seasonal allergies it is unlikely your doctor will recommend a first-generation antihistamine, says Dr. Mantione, because these are normally used for acute reactions. Instead, she explains, you’ll likely be steered toward one of the second-generation allergy medications.
They are available as both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Like all medications, antihistamines can cause side effects. To use these allergy medications safely, you should be aware of certain precautions. In particular, you should be aware of the dangers of mixing alcohol and antihistamines. If you’re taking an antihistamine for your seasonal allergy symptoms, it’s best to avoid having a glass of wine or a cocktail, states the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
If you take a blood thinner, even an occasional drink can increase your risk of internal bleeding. It’s important that you don’t mix alcohol with any of the following medications. Antipsychotics may be prescribed for people with conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE eco sober house review is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health . If you have liver or kidney disease, ask your doctor about taking cetirizine.
Since alcohol can produce the same effects, taking it with Zyrtec can lead to more impairment on the user’s mental function. This can result in potentially dangerous side effects, particularly excessive drowsiness and sedation. It can cause accidents, especially for people who are driving or operating machineries. Older adults are also at increased risk for falls and possible serious injuries due to reduced mental function. Because of these potential risks, people taking Zyrtec are advised to avoid alcohol.
For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the Addiction Group helpline is a private and convenient solution. Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) for your visit will be answered by American Addiction Centers . An addiction specialist can answer your questions and guide you through your options. Typically, this condition resolves on its own within a few days to a week. Another symptom of drug withdrawal is a change in sleeping patterns.