Although often confused, decongestants are different from antihistamines. Antihistamines help relieve most allergy symptoms by blocking the action of histamine in your system, not the congestion. ZYRTEC-D® contains both an antihistamine and a decongestant for allergies.
Is Zyrtec a decongestant?
Zyrtec-D (cetirizine and pseudoephedrine) is a combination of an antihistamine and a decongestant used to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as nasal and sinus congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or runny nose. Zyrtec-D is available over-the-counter (OTC) and in generic form.
Does regular Zyrtec have pseudoephedrine?
Although they can both be used for allergy relief, one contains a decongestant and the other does not. Zyrtec-D contains pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that can help relieve nasal congestion. If one of your primary symptoms is a stuffy nose, Zyrtec-D may be a better option than regular Zyrtec.
Can Zyrtec help with nasal congestion?
Try ZYRTEC®-D to powerfully clear your blocked nose and relieve your other allergy symptoms, so you can breathe easier all day. * *Provides 12 hour relief of nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes and itchy nose and throat. Find it behind the pharmacy counter.
What is the difference between a decongestant and an antihistamine?
If you have nasal or sinus congestion, then a decongestant can be helpful. If you have drainage — either a runny nose or postnasal drip or itchy, watery eyes — then an antihistamine may be helpful. Over-the-counter antihistamines often make people drowsy; decongestants can make people hyper or keep them awake.
Can you take Zyrtec everyday?
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.
Is Zyrtec anti inflammatory?
Cetirizine belongs to the second-generation family, so, it is very selective for peripheral H1 receptors, is potent and quickly relieves symptoms, exerts additional anti-allergic/anti-inflammatory effects, and is usually well-tolerated.
Is it better to take Zyrtec at night or in the morning?
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.
Does Zyrtec make u feel weird?
Both Zyrtec and Claritin may make you drowsy or tired. For that reason, you shouldn’t take these medications if you also take muscle relaxers, sleeping pills, or other drugs that cause drowsiness.
What is the difference between Zyrtec D and regular Zyrtec?
How is ZYRTEC-D® different from ZYRTEC®? ZYRTEC-D® contains pseudoephedrine, which relieves nasal congestion. So it relieves all the same symptoms as ZYRTEC®, plus it also has a powerful decongestant. For more, see: “What symptoms does ZYRTEC® relieve?”
Does Zyrtec loosen mucus?
Do not take antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (one brand: Benadryl), loratadine (one brand: Claritin), or cetirizine (one brand: Zyrtec) for sinus symptoms because they make mucus thicker and harder to drain.
Does Zyrtec break up mucus?
When they dry out mucus, they can actually thicken it. Newer antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), levocetirizine (Xyzal), and desloratadine (Clarinex), may be better options and are less likely to cause drowsiness.
What is the fastest way to get rid of a stuffy nose?
Here are eight things you can do now to feel and breathe better.
- Use a humidifier. A humidifier provides a quick, easy way to reduce sinus pain and relieve a stuffy nose. …
- Take a shower. …
- Stay hydrated. …
- Use a saline spray. …
- Drain your sinuses. …
- Use a warm compress. …
- Try decongestants. …
- Take antihistamines or allergy medicine.
What is the best decongestant for sinuses?
Decongestants . These medicines help reduce the swelling in your nasal passages and ease the stuffiness and sinus pressure. They come as nasal sprays, like naphazoline (Privine), oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dristan, Nostrilla, Vicks Sinus Nasal Spray), or phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Sinex, Rhinall).
Is it better to take a decongestant or not?
Pressure worries aside, decongestants — while they help relieve symptoms — should be used with caution. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it’s generally not a good idea to take oral or nasal decongestants of any type for a long period of time.
What is a natural decongestant?
9 Ways to Naturally Clear Up Your Congestion
- Humidifier.
- Steam.
- Saline spray.
- Neti pot.
- Compress.
- Herbs and spices.
- Elevated head.
- Essential oils.