Is Zyrtec Safe To Take With Amoxicillin?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses whether or not Zyrtec can be taken with amoxicillin.
Hello, I take Zyrtec every day to prevent allergies but I recently came down with a cold and my doctor gave me amoxicillin. Are they okay to use together?
Sep 16, 2022- Zyrtec and amoxicillin are safe to take together with no known drug interaction between them.
- Zyrtec may help relieve symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes, and postnasal drip while you're taking amoxicillin.
- You can continue taking your daily Zyrtec along with your prescribed amoxicillin.
Answer
Thanks for reaching out to us! Zyrtec (cetirizine) and amoxicillin are perfectly safe to take together. There is no known drug interaction between them.
Zyrtec may even help with some of the symptoms you may be experiencing. Since Zyrtec is an antihistamine, it can help alleviate a runny nose, watery eyes, and postnasal drip, even if it isn't allergies that are causing these symptoms.
Other antihistamines are safe to take with amoxicillin as well, and include:
- Allegra (fexofenadine)
- Claritin (loratadine)
- Xyzal (levocetirizine)
You can feel safe continuing to take your Zyrtec daily, in addition to the amoxicillin your doctor has prescribed for you.
About Zyrtec
Zyrtec is used to temporarily relieve the symptoms of hay fever (allergy to pollen, dust, or other substances in the air) and allergy to other substances (such as dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, and molds). These symptoms include sneezing; runny nose; itchy, red, watery eyes; and itchy nose or throat. It is also used to treat itching and redness caused by hives. However, cetirizine does not prevent hives or other allergic skin reactions.
Cetirizine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks histamine, a chemical in the body that causes allergy symptoms like itching, sneezing, and runny nose.
- Cetirizine
- The active ingredient in Zyrtec, an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms.
- Amoxicillin
- An antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections.
- Drug interaction
- When two medications affect each other in ways that could change how they work or cause harmful effects.
- Postnasal drip
- A condition where mucus from the nose drains down the back of the throat.
- Hay fever
- An allergic reaction to pollen, dust, or other airborne substances that causes sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
- Hives
- Red, itchy welts or bumps that appear on the skin, often as an allergic reaction.
- Histamine
- A chemical in the body that is released during allergic reactions and causes symptoms like itching, sneezing, and swelling.
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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