Is it harmful to take Zyrtec everyday?

Is it safe to take Zyrtec every day? Yep. "When taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily. This is especially true with Zyrtec, since it doesn't show decreasing effectiveness if used daily," says Sima Patel, MD, an allergist at New York Allergy & Sinus Centers.

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What are the long-term effects of taking Zyrtec?

Tolerance is not a problem. Rarely, they can cause acute self-limited liver injury. One study has reported a more serious long-term effect, a 3.5-fold increase in the risk of gliomas, a common type of brain tumor in patients with long-term antihistamine use for allergic conditions.

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Is Zyrtec OK to take long-term?

First-generation antihistamines come with an increased risk of certain side effects and drug interactions, so they are not generally advised for long-term usage.

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What are the dangers of Zyrtec?

Drowsiness, tiredness, and dry mouth may occur. Stomach pain may also occur, especially in children. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

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Should Zyrtec be taken daily or as needed?

Yes, you can take cetirizine (Zyrtec) only when you need it if you have allergy symptoms once in a while. But if you have allergy symptoms on a daily basis, taking it regularly according to the manufacturer's directions might give you the most relief from your allergies.

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Side effects due to prolonged use of antihistamines - Dr. Sriram Nathan

27 related questions found

Why was Zyrtec taken off the market?

Greg Panico, a spokesman for Janssen Pharmaceutica, which is owned by Johnson and Johnson, said that the withdrawal was a voluntary business decision. “The decision to voluntarily discontinue it recognises that the allergy marketplace is crowded with a number of other drugs,” Mr Panico said.

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What are the side effects of long term use of antihistamines?

Short- and long-term effects of misusing antihistamines
  • Dizziness.
  • Loss of coordination.
  • Dry nose, throat, or mouth.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
  • Difficulty urinating.
  • Loss of appetite.

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What does Zyrtec do to the brain?

Histamine H1 receptor antagonist cetirizine impairs working memory processing speed, but not episodic memory.

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Is Zyrtec hard on your heart?

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.

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What should I avoid while taking Zyrtec?

While most anticholinergics can be modified or monitored when taken with loratadine or cetirizine, several should be avoided entirely, including aclidinium, cimetropium, glycopyrrolate, glycopyrronium, ipratropium, oxatomide, tiotropium, and umeclidinium.

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Does Zyrtec make you gain weight?

Antihistamines that can cause weight gain include: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl and others) Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Levocetirizine (Xyzal)

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Can long term use of Zyrtec cause weight gain?

When antihistamines block histamine, our appetite can increase. This, plus side effects like drowsiness, could lead to weight gain. Your risk of gaining weight from antihistamines may depend on many factors. But a healthy diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors can help you manage your risk.

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Is it better to take Zyrtec at night or in the morning?

Official answer. 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.

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Can Zyrtec cause memory problems?

First-generation (older) allergy medications may cause memory loss. However, newer antihistamines, cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) are less likely to cause problems with memory and cognition.

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Does Zyrtec cause anxiety?

One study also suggests cetirizine and hydroxyzine have a greater chance of causing anxiety and mood changes than other antihistamines. Hydroxyzine can also be used to treat anxiety conditions. So if you notice your symptoms worsen after starting this medication, contact your provider to discuss it further.

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Is Zyrtec OK for blood pressure?

Which allergy medications are best for people with high blood pressure? Second-generation antihistamines that are not combined with decongestants are the best choice for people with hypertension. These include oral medications like: Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

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How long do Zyrtec stay in your system?

by Drugs.com

The elimination half-life of Zyrtec is between 8 to 9 hours. It takes approximately 5.5 x elimination half-life for a medicine to be cleared from your system. For Zyrtec this is 5.5 x 9 hours which is about 2 days.

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Is Zyrtec linked to dementia?

Neither Zyrtec nor ipratropium nasal spray are likely to significantly increase risk of dementia, nor of other anticholinergic side effects, such as blurry vision, constipation or fast heart rate.

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Is Zyrtec used for anxiety?

Antihistamines aren't an approved treatment for anxiety that lasts more than 12 months. They're also not for use with serious psychotic or other disorders that require specialized care from a psychiatrist.

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What happens if you take antihistamines for years?

Long term use of some antihistamines may increase your risk of dementia. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is vital for memory and learning.

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Can you take antihistamines every day forever?

Official answer. Yes, most people can take antihistamines every day, if they have daily symptoms of their allergies.

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What is the best long-term antihistamine?

Allergists recommend long-acting, non-sedating antihistamines — ones that won't make you sleepy — for everyday use. Though you may know them by their brand names, the generic versions tackle the same problems: Cetirizine (Zyrtec®, Aller-Tec®, Wall-Zyr®). Fexofenadine (Allegra®, Aller-ease®, Aller-Fex®, Wal-Fex®).

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Why should older people not take Zyrtec?

The well-known side effects of the first-generation antihistamines, sedation and decreased reaction time, are more pronounced in the elderly. The anticholinergic effects are drying of the mouth and eyes, blurred vision, urinary retention, and constipation.

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Can you go through withdrawal from Zyrtec?

For example, some people experience symptoms with cetirizine if they take it for a while and then stop suddenly. The main withdrawal symptom is called pruritus— itching and burning sensations of the skin ranging from moderate to severe.

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How do you get over Zyrtec withdrawal?

Some people have found that switching to a different antihistamine such as fexofenadine (Allegra) or loratadine (Claritin) can ease the itching from cetirizine withdrawal. One reader shared this experience: “I used fexofenadine for a few weeks after stopping the cetirizine.

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