Cetirizine, a metabolite of hydroxyzine, is an antihistamine with as distinguishing features: 1) exquisite
Products with the ingredients state to be effective for 24 hours, but many people claim that cetirizine hydrochloride's effects expire before then. For long-lasting relief, medications with loratadine may be the better option.
Cetirizine is the most potent antihistamine available and has been subjected to more clinical study than any other.
Cetirizine has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10 from a total of 292 ratings on Drugs.com. 45% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 37% reported a negative effect. Zyrtec has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10 from a total of 199 ratings on Drugs.com.
“Zyrtec is found to be more potent, or stronger, in laboratory studies, compared with Claritin,” says Dr. Kung. “It also reaches a higher concentration in the skin, which can be more helpful for skin-related allergies. However, Zyrtec has a greater chance of making you sleepy while taking it.”
The maximum recommended daily dose is 20 mg, do not exceed this dose, unless told to do so by your doctor. The usual dose of ZYRTEC oral solution is 10 mL, once a day. In children over 6 years of age, the daily dose of 10 mg is given as a single or divided dose.
“Claritin is a 24-hour antihistamine that works in the same way as Zyrtec, however, research has found that Claritin may be less potent than Zyrtec and therefore less effective,” explains Dr. Parikh. Although potential side effects may also be minimized as a result, she adds.
Why do antihistamines stop working? Antihistamines can stop working because your allergies might be getting worse or you might have immune system changes due to aging. You also might not be taking the medication as directed. If you take an antihistamine after being exposed to an allergy trigger, it won't work as well.
Cetirizine can be taken at any time of the day. In most people it is non-sedating, so they take it in the morning. However, a percentage of people do find it to be sedating so if it does make you drowsy it is best to take it in the evening. Cetirizine can be taken with or without food.
Since both medications have a common core chemical structure, Zyrtec and Xyzal generally have the same level of effectiveness, onset of action, and range of allergy symptoms treated. Xyzal is slightly less drowsy, so if drowsiness is an issue with your allergy medicine, Xyzal is better than Zyrtec.
Cetirizine is the one most likely to cause sedation,20 particularly in higher doses. Although very rare, idiosyncratic hypersensitivity reactions have been described for each of the antihistamines.
A nonprescription oral antihistamine, such as loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, others), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy, others) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy, others), may help relieve itching. Consider whether you might prefer a type that doesn't cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about options. Apply cold.
Both fexofenadine and cetirizine are equally effective in reducing allergy symptoms. Antihistamines may be more effective or less effective based on the individual taking them. To determine which is the most effective, a trial-and-error method should be implemented.
Cetirizine is a relatively safe and effective medication for treating allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and allergic conjunctivitis. As cetirizine is also available over the counter, prescribers should educate patients on possible side effects, such as drowsiness, fatigue, and dry mouth, while dispensing medicine.
Cetirizine is generally very safe. Taking more than the usual dose is unlikely to harm you or your child. If you take an extra dose, you might get some of the common side effects. If this happens or you're concerned, contact your doctor.
Drug class: Antihistamines
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 11, 2022. one 10 mg tablet once daily; do not take more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours.
Sandoz issued a voluntary recall of 1,023,430 units of Zyrtec (10 mg) capsules as a result of failed impurities and a specification being reported for impurity at the 21-month stability time point, according to an FDA Enforcement Report.
Taking an extra dose of Zyrtec by mistake is unlikely to cause serious harm for most people. However, taking a very large amount of Zyrtec can be dangerous. In severe cases, it can cause severe drowsiness, hallucinations, and an elevated heart rate.
Taking too much antihistamine can lead to adverse side effects and a potential antihistamine overdose. Antihistamines are a class of medication that treat allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, and itching. As with any medication, taking too much can be harmful.
Myth #11: You can build up a tolerance to antihistamines through continuous use. “There is no scientific evidence that you can develop a tolerance to oral antihistamine pills, such as Allegra, Zyrtec and Claritin,” Wierzbicki clears up.
Second- and third-generation antihistamines are less likely to cause drowsiness. Of these, cetirizine works the fastest but has a higher chance of making you feel drowsy. Fexofenadine is the least drowsy option.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or ...
For allergy sufferers with heart disease, medicines such as Allegra, Zyrtec or Claritin should be safe. However, medicines containing decongestants — including Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D — could increase your blood pressure and heart rate or interfere with your heart medication.