Because antihistamines like Claritin and Zyrtec are now available over the counter, we can trust that they’re generally safe for longterm use, says Shih.
Is it safe to take Zyrtec every day?
Can be taken once a day. May be given daily on a regular basis when allergens are most prevalent (such as during spring or summer). Zyrtec does not appear to interact with many drugs (theophylline slightly decreased the clearance of Zyrtec). Zyrtec has been demonstrated to be safe in children older than 6 months.
What are the side effects of long term use of antihistamines?
These common side effects include sedation, impaired motor function, dizziness, dry mouth and throat, blurred vision, urinary retention and constipation. Antihistamines can worsen urinary retention and narrow angle glaucoma. The antihistamines rarely cause liver injury.
Does Zyrtec work better the longer you take it?
Claritin is long acting. Most people experience at least 24 hours of relief after a single dose. Zyrtec, on the other hand, is fast acting. People who take it may feel relief in as little as one hour.
Is it OK to take allergy pills everyday?
If you need to use these medications daily for long periods of time, there is a potential chance that your body can become tolerant to their effects, meaning that you may need to take larger doses for the same effect.
Does Zyrtec weaken the immune system?
Cetirizine does not influence the immune response.
What happens when you stop taking 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. Other antihistamine withdrawal symptoms include interruptions in sleep patterns.
Do antihistamines weaken immune system?
Antihistamines, with their ability to disrupt the immune response that leads to annoying reactions like runny noses and swelling tissues, have long been considered the ideal way to control allergies. But their long-term effects on the immune system are unknown.
Is Zyrtec bad for your liver?
Cetirizine and its enantiomer levocetirizine are second generation antihistamines that are used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, angioedema and chronic urticaria. Cetirizine and levocetirizine have been linked to rare, isolated instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury.
Can you become dependent on antihistamines?
For those who abuse diphenhydramine, however, dependency does not occur, meaning that their bodies do not experience the constant need to use or develop withdrawal symptoms when unable to use. They can, however, become addicted to this substance, which means they feel psychologically unable to stop using.
Does Zyrtec have to build up in your system?
Zyrtec and Claritin are effective for about 24 hours. A person should only take one dose per day. The body absorbs both antihistamines quickly, but Zyrtec seems to work faster for some people. A 2014 study found that both drugs were absorbed into the bloodstream within 1–2 hours of taking the medication.
Can Zyrtec cause depression?
The over-the-counter allergy medication cetirizine (Zyrtec and generic) has been linked to depression, as has another type of drug, montelukast (Singulair), which is often used to treat people with allergic asthma.
Can Zyrtec make you gain weight?
Antihistamines that can cause weight gain include: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl and others) Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Do antihistamines cause weight gain?
H1 receptor antihistamines such as cetirizine, fexofenadine, and desloratadine are among the most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of allergies and have been shown to stimulate appetite and weight gain as side effects of treatment (6).
Which is better Zyrtec or Allegra?
Both drugs were found to be equally effective in treating allergy symptoms, and Allegra was found to cause less drowsiness than Zyrtec. Another study showed that Zyrtec was more effective than Allegra, and that side effects were similar.
Can Zyrtec cause heart palpitations?
Although palpitations may be caused by a heart problem, they also occur because of stress, fatigue, or use of alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine. Many medicines, including diet pills, antihistamines, decongestants, and some herbal products, can cause heart palpitations. Nearly everyone has palpitations from time to time.