Can You Take Zyrtec And Claritin At The Same Time?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Zyrtec (cetirizine) can be safely taken with Claritin (loratadine).
Can you take Claritin and Zyrtec simultaneously? Will there be better effects?
Sep 19, 2022- Taking Zyrtec and Claritin together is not recommended because they are both the same type of medication and would not provide added benefit while increasing the risk of drowsiness.
- If one antihistamine isn't working well enough, try switching to a different second-generation antihistamine or adding a nasal steroid spray like Flonase instead.
- Nasal steroid sprays work differently than antihistamines and may work better for nasal congestion, and they can safely be used together with an antihistamine if needed.
Answer
Typically, it is not recommended to use loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) at the same time. Both medications are second-generation antihistamines used for allergy relief. Taking them together would not provide much-added benefit, but could lead to side effects such as drowsiness.
In some patients, Zyrtec may work better than Claritin, however, it may also cause drowsiness.
Zyrtec and Claritin, along with Allegra and Xyzal, are second-generation antihistamines and are still less likely to cause drowsiness than first-generation antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine). This is because first-generation antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier, whereas second-generation antihistamines usually do not.
I would recommend experimenting with the second-generation antihistamines (all of which can be dosed once daily) and seeing which works best for you. Alternatively, you can try switching to (or adding on), a nasal steroid.
Nasal Steroids As An Alternative
Instead of taking Claritin and Zyrtec together, another option would be to switch to or add on a nasal steroid, like fluticasone (Flonase) nasal spray, Nasacort, or Rhinocort. All three are approved by FDA and are available over the counter since 2014. Steroid nasal sprays work by blocking inflammation, itching, and congestion.
According to multiple studies, nasal steroids like Flonase have some advantages over antihistamines, including working better for nasal congestion. All nasal steroids can be used once daily with 1 or 2 sprays into each nostril or may be used as needed instead of every day.
Flonase can safely be paired with an antihistamine as well.
How Antihistamines Work
Antihistamines bind to histamine receptors that are found in the nose, lungs, eyes, and skin without activating the histamine response. By binding and changing the shape of the histamine receptor, antihistamines inhibit histamine from binding and creating its response. Histamine creates an immune response to essentially attempt to remove the offensive allergen.
Histamine can be triggered by a variety of things including pollen, dust, and pet dander. Some people are more sensitive to this response and may not even know what triggers their allergies. Antihistamines are useful in preventing the immune cascade so common in people suffering from allergies.
Conclusion
To conclude, it is not recommended to take both Claritin and Zyrtec together due to the possibility of drowsiness without additional benefit. Flonase nasal spray may be another option to provide an alternative mechanism of action against allergies.
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References & sources
- Loratadine Monograph — PubChem
- Cetirizine Monograph — PubChem
- Fluticasone Monograph — PubChem
- Intranasal corticosteroids compared with oral antihistamines in allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis — PubMed
- Efficacy of a steroid nasal spray compared with an antihistamine nasal spray in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antihistamines
- Medications that block histamine receptors to prevent allergic reactions like itching, sneezing, and congestion.
- Histamine receptors
- Binding sites on cells in the nose, lungs, eyes, and skin where histamine attaches to trigger allergic symptoms.
- Blood-brain barrier
- A protective barrier that prevents most molecules in the bloodstream from reaching the brain and central nervous system.
- Nasal steroid
- A corticosteroid spray applied in the nose that reduces inflammation and congestion caused by allergies.
- Histamine
- A chemical released by immune cells that causes allergy symptoms like itching, sneezing, and swelling.
- Immune cascade
- A series of connected immune system reactions that build upon each other to create allergic symptoms.
- Allergen
- A substance like pollen, dust, or pet dander that triggers an allergic reaction in sensitive people.
- Drowsiness
- A side effect causing sleepiness or reduced alertness that can occur with some allergy medications.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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