Taking DayQuil With Zyrtec (Cetirizine)
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not DayQuil can be taken with Zyrtec (cetirizine).
Can you take DayQuil and Zyrtec together?
Nov 20, 2022- DayQuil and Zyrtec can be safely taken together since DayQuil does not contain an antihistamine and there is no drug interaction between them. Be aware that Zyrtec may cause drowsiness in some people, so if you need a non-drowsy option, consider Allegra or Claritin instead. Always check the labels of over-the-counter cold products to make sure they don't contain duplicate ingredients, such as avoiding Zyrtec-D with DayQuil since both contain decongestants.
Answer
Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Dayquil may be safely taken together as there is no drug interaction between the two medications.
It is important to emphasize that it is always a good idea to look at the labels of the over-the-counter cough/cold products you are looking to take as many of them include multiple ingredients.
In general, you don't want to combine two products if they contain the same, or similar, drugs. Fortunately, DayQuil does not contain an antihistamine and is safe to take with Zyrtec (a second-generation antihistamine).
There are some Zyrtec products and some DayQuil products that shouldn't be combined, however.
For example, Zyrtec-D (cetirizine; pseudoephedrine) shouldn't be used with DayQuil as both contain decongestants. We wrote about this in another answer (which can be found here if you're interested).
Taking DayQuil With Zyrtec (Cetirizine)
DayQuil
Dayquil is a combination ingredient cough/cold/flu medication that contains the following ingredients:
- Acetaminophen (Pain reliever/fever reducer)
- Dextromethorphan (Cough suppressant)
- Phenylephrine (Nasal decongestant)
While DayQuil has a number of ingredients that will help with cold and flu symptoms, it does not contain an antihistamine. Therefore, if you have seasonal allergies, DayQuil will not prevent them from occurring.
In many cases and situations, it is a good idea to combine an antihistamine, such as Zyrtec (cetirizine) with DayQuil to provide all-around symptom relief.
Zyrtec (Cetirizine)
Zyrtec is a "second generation" antihistamine that is an effective all-day (i.e. 24 hour) allergy medication.
Most second-generation antihistamines, such as Claritin and Allegra, do not cause drowsiness or sedation. However, Zyrtec is not considered non-drowsy. The prescribing information for Zyrtec shows around 13% of users will experience sedation or drowsiness.
Zyrtec is beneficial for preventing allergy symptoms such as:
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Post nasal drip
- Itchy, watery eyes
Combining The Two
As mentioned, DayQuil and Zyrtec can be taken together and both may be recommended based on your symptoms. It is important to be aware however, the Zyrtec may cause drowsiness in some individuals. If you are looking for a "non-drowsy" antihistamine to take with DayQuil, consider Allegra or Claritin.
Final Words
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Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks the effects of histamine in the body to relieve allergy symptoms.
- Decongestant
- A medication that reduces nasal congestion and swelling in the nasal passages.
- Drug interaction
- A reaction that occurs when two medications are taken together and affect how each other works in the body.
- Second-generation antihistamine
- A newer type of antihistamine designed to have fewer side effects than older versions.
- Cough suppressant
- A medication that reduces or stops coughing.
- Sedation
- A state of reduced alertness or sleepiness caused by a medication.
- Acetaminophen
- A common pain reliever and fever reducer medication.
- Dextromethorphan
- An ingredient used in cough medicines to suppress or reduce coughing.
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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