Can You Take Zyrtec And Tylenol Together?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Zyrtec (and Zyrtec-D) can be taken with Tylenol.
Hi, is it safe to take Zyrtec-D (12hr) and Tylenol extra strength (500mg) together?
Jun 23, 2022- It is safe to take Tylenol and Zyrtec together because there is no drug interaction between them.
- Zyrtec is an antihistamine used for allergies while Tylenol is a pain reliever and fever reducer.
- Zyrtec-D, which also contains a decongestant, can also be safely taken with Tylenol.
Hello and thank you for reaching out to us!
Yes, it is safe to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) together. There is no drug interaction between them.
It is also safe to take Zyrtec-D (a combination of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine) and Tylenol together. These drugs have no interaction either.
What Do Zyrtec, Zyrtec-D and Tylenol Contain?
Zyrtec contains the antihistamine cetirizine.
It is a 'second-generation' antihistamine', which are generally longer acting, and less sedating, than first-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
Zyrtec-D combines the nasal decongestant Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) with cetirizine. The 'D' in Zyrtec-D stands for decongestant.
Zyrtec-D is an effective medication to take if you are suffering from allergies, and nasal congestion is a symptom you are dealing with.
Tylenol contains acetaminophen, a type of pain-reliever and fever reducer.
It is the most commonly used pain-reliever in over-the-counter combination drug products, like Mucinex Fast-Max, DayQuil, and NyQuil. While effective in treating minor aches, pains, and fevers, acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory properties like NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen) do.
Combining The Medications
As mentioned, there is no drug interaction between Zyrtec (or Zyrtec-D) and Tylenol. They are considered safe to take together.
In fact, in general, it is safe to combine Tylenol with most antihistamines and decongestants.
While there isn't a single product that contains all of the drugs found in Zyrtec-D and Tylenol, there are plenty of drug products available that do contain a pain reliever, an antihistamine, and decongestant.
One such product is NyQuil Severe, which contains:
- Acetaminophen
- Dextromethorphan
- Doxylamine
- Phenylephrine
Doxylamine is a 'first-generation' antihistamine and phenylephrine is a decongestant (although it is less potent than pseudoephedrine). I'd recommend taking the combination of Zyrtec-D and Tylenol over a product like NyQuil Severe though since Zyrtec-D is long-acting and relatively mild in terms of sedation the sedation it causes.
You mentioned Tylenol Extra Strength specifically in your question and I just want to emphasize that it is perfectly fine to take as well with Zyrtec (or Zyrtec-D).
Tylenol Extra Strength contains 500mg acetaminophen per tablet while the 'regular' Tylenol contains 325mg.
If you want a long-acting product, consider Tylenol Arthritis. It contains 650mg of acetaminophen per tablet and lasts about 8 hours per dose.
Final Words
Thanks again for your question and feel free to reach out again in the future!
References & sources
- Cetirizine Monograph — PubChem
- Pseudoephedrine Monograph — PubChem
- Acetaminophen Monograph — PubChem
- Micromedex Drug Monographs — Micromedex
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Drug interaction
- A reaction that occurs when two medications affect each other's effectiveness or safety when taken together.
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks histamine, a chemical in the body that causes allergy symptoms like itching and sneezing.
- Second-generation antihistamine
- A newer type of antihistamine that lasts longer in your body and is less likely to cause drowsiness than older versions.
- Decongestant
- A medication that reduces nasal congestion and swelling in the sinuses to help you breathe more easily.
- Acetaminophen
- A common pain reliever and fever reducer found in many over-the-counter medications.
- NSAIDs
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce pain, fever, and inflammation in the body.
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- The ability of a medication to reduce swelling and inflammation in the body.
- Sedation
- A state of drowsiness or reduced alertness caused by certain 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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