Zyrtec and Sudafed are two common OTC medications that can help treat allergies. Zyrtec is an antihistamine, while Sudafed is a decongestant. As an antihistamine, Zyrtec can help with many allergy symptoms, while Sudafed primarily helps with nasal congestion.
Zyrtec-D® is a combination of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine. This medication is both an antihistamine and a decongestant. It treats or prevents symptoms of allergies.
Zyrtec contains cetirizine hydrochloride, also called cetirizine HCL, while Claritin contains loratadine. Zyrtec and Claritin are second-generation antihistamines. They are less likely to make a person feel drowsy or otherwise affect alertness than older, first-generation antihistamines.
Along the same lines as OTC options, antihistamine medications, such as Sudafed, Claritin, Zyrtec or Benadryl, can also offer sinus infection symptom relief. While these medications specifically target allergy symptoms, sinus infection symptoms can be similar, making antihistamines worth a try.
“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.”
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.
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 ...
Fexofenadine (brand Allegra) and loratadine (brand Claritin) are good second-generation antihistamines that are non-sedating and could be good for mild to moderate postnasal drip symptoms.
Studies have shown equal effectiveness for Zyrtec and Claritin for allergic rhinitis and urticaria. Studies have not compared the effects of Zyrtec and Claritin for conditions such as postnasal drip, but research suggests intranasal antihistamines such as azelastine are more effective.
Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra are three second-generation antihistamines that alleviate allergy symptoms that can lead to sinusitis. Some of them can be used daily.
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.
They then mistakenly take antihistamines, which end up drying out the nose and making thick mucus worse. "That's why it's important to make the right diagnosis," says Ellis, who also warns against self-medicating with decongestants like Sudafed, which are also drying and will further thicken your mucus.
"When taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily.
Antihistamines can help by inhibiting the production of symptom-causing chemicals, and decongestants work by reducing the amount of fluid in the nose. While they'll both help, antihistamines are a bit better because they can address multiple symptoms rather than just one.
Antihistamine such as Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec (or their generic counterparts), may help if their symptoms are due to allergies, however they will not help a cough from an infection. Discuss with your doctor about the need for trialing these medicines and/ or the role of allergy testing.
Antihistamines. Antihistamines tend to dry out the lining of the nose and thicken mucus. If sinus sufferers also have allergies, physicians will prescribe antihistamines such as Claritin, Allergra, Zyrtec or Benadryl and/or allergy shots to control the inflammation that results from allergies.
Consider Over-the-Counter Meds
Several widely available drugs directly treat post-nasal drip and sore throat. Many people start with mucus-thinning products like guaifenesin (Mucinex) and dextromethorphan (Robitussin). 1 "Sometimes that helps relieve the irritation in the throat when the mucus is thick," said Dr.
Antihistamines and decongestants can often help with postnasal drip caused by sinusitis and viral infections. They can also be effective, along with steroid nasal sprays, for postnasal drip caused by allergies.
Antihistamines block the chemicals that cause allergy symptoms. They can reduce swelling and congestion in the nasal passages and improve postnasal drip.
Expectorants: Expectorants like guaifenesin (Mucinex) help thin phlegm, making it easier to blow out or cough up. Vapor rubs: Vapor rubs provide relief from coughs and chest congestion. Decongestants: Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine (like Sudafed) can dry out mucus in the chest, nose, and throat.
Common Zyrtec side effects may include:
feeling hot, sweating; numbness, tingling, burning pain; altered sense of taste; upset stomach, constipation; or.
So what can older adults safely take for allergy relief? Wozniak: Newer antihistamines such as Claritin® (loratadine) and Allegra® (fexofenadine) tend to be safer and better tolerated.
You should not use Zyrtec-D if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, severe high blood pressure (hypertension), severe coronary artery disease, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are allergic to hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril). Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.