Zyrtec

Zyrtec With Alcohol: Interaction, Side Effects, and Guidelines for Safe Use

Zyrtec is one of the most common over-the-counter medications for treating allergies and similar conditions. While it may seem like a low-risk drug –frequently used in cases of long-term treatment–, you need to be vigilant when you’re taking Zyrtec if drinking alcohol is part of your lifestyle.

Mixing alcohol with Zyrtec can result in serious health issues, a few of which are potentially life-threatening. This guide dives into a full explanation of the interaction between Zyrtec and alcohol, discusses how it’s affected by substance abuse disorder, and explores viable treatment options.

Understanding Zyrtec

A popular antihistamine medication, Zyrtec contains cetirizine as an active ingredient. It’s widely used to treat urticaria (hives), hay fever, red itchy eyes (conjunctivitis ), nose inflammation (rhinitis), eczema, certain food allergies, and reactions to insect stings and bites.

Zyrtec is sold in the form of tablets, oral solution/drops, and solution for injection.

Unlike many allergy medications, Zyrtec alleviates allergy symptoms without causing significant drowsiness. This is a unique feature of second-generation antihistamines like cetirizine.

The FDA first approved Zyrtec in 1995 under the category of prescription drugs. However, Zyrtec has been available over-the-counter since 2008 after the FDA approved cetirizine for OTC use.

When you come into contact with a substance that typically induces an allergic reaction, your body responds by producing histamine to alert the immune system. This triggers problematic symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and itching.

Zyrtec works by blocking the histamine receptors at various sites across the body. So, when the body releases histamine in response to allergens, it’s unable to attach to its receptors and the allergy symptoms are minimized or prevented.

Despite being marketed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, this doesn’t mean that Zyrtec won’t slow you down. It can still result in some drowsiness or sleepiness, but much less than other antihistamines.

Side Effects

Zyrtec can cause adverse effects that are mild in most cases. Serious side effects from cetirizine are a rare occurrence.

The mild and more common Zyrtec side effects include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue and general weakness
  • Insomnia
  • Breathing difficulties

As for the serious, uncommon Zyrtec side effects, these manifest as a severe allergic reaction with sudden symptoms such as:

  • Swollen lips, tongue, and throat
  • Tight throat
  • Gasping or choking
  • Extreme dizziness or confusion
  • Fainting

Is Zyrtec Addictive?

Patients who use Zyrtec regularly are at risk of developing tolerance to the drug, meaning that their bodies require larger doses with time to achieve the same antihistamine effect.

Such individuals are also more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking Zyrtec. These are typically a more aggressive version of the allergy symptoms that the patient uses the drug to keep at bay.

Zyrtec withdrawal is due to dependence on the antihistamine medication and can lead to developing addiction as patients try to avoid the unpleasant withdrawal reaction.

Understanding Alcohol

Liquids classified as alcohol are central nervous system depressants. Shortly after consuming alcohol, it reduces the activity of the central nervous system, leading to intoxication symptoms including dizziness, drowsiness, poor balance/coordination, and impaired judgment.

The soothing and numbing effects of alcohol are the main reason why people become addicted to it. With time, the body needs higher amounts of alcohol to experience the same level of sedation and dissociation.

This tolerance drives individuals to become psychologically and physically dependent, which evolves into alcohol addiction.

Acute Effects of Alcohol

The impact of alcohol intake on the body can be both short-term and long-term. The severity of the immediate side effects, whether acute or chronic, depends on multiple factors such as the frequency of drinking, the amount consumed, and the person’s genetic composition.

That said, some of the effects of alcohol that manifest shortly after consumption include:

  • Sense of relaxation
  • Drowsiness
  • Balance and coordination impairment
  • Impaired judgment
  • Delayed reaction time
  • Impulsive behavior
  • Aggression
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Difficulty recalling information
  • Alcohol poisoning

Dangers of Alcohol Addiction

The effects of chronic (long-term) consumption of alcohol –also known as alcohol abuse or addiction– aren’t only profound, but also irreversible. These include permanent liver damage, brain damage, cognitive decline, and mental disorders.

Is It Safe To Take Zyrtec With Alcohol?

From the information discussed above, you should now understand that both Zyrtec and alcohol can cause drowsiness. When consuming the two substances at the same time, their central nervous system depression effects are amplified.

The increased relaxation can lead to extreme drowsiness and loss of cognitive functions. This puts individuals at risk of getting into accidents and dangerous situations, especially during activities like driving that demand mental alertness.

What Does Mixing Zyrtec With Alcohol Do to Your Body?

Even though Zyrtec is a non-drowsy antihistamine, mixing the medication with alcohol can boost the sedating effects of each substance, which is why caution is necessary when combining the two. The side effects of the increased depression of the central nervous system include:

  • Excessive sedation
  • Blurry vision
  • Heightened dizziness
  • Loss of balance
  • Loss of coordination
  • Low blood pressure
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Heart palpitations

The severity of the interaction symptoms varies depending on the amount of alcohol intake and the individual’s specific tolerance levels. Generally, healthcare providers recommend decreasing or stopping alcohol consumption during the period of the patient’s treatment using Zyrtec.

Additionally, chronic use of Zyrtec with alcohol can put a strain on the liver as the metabolization of both substances happens in the liver. The extra workload can lead to faster development of liver damage, which is permanent in most cases.

Can You Overdose on Zyrtec With Alcohol?

Yes, there’s a risk of overdose when you mix Zyrtec with alcohol due to the combined sedative effects of both drugs that persist because of the liver’s inability to break them down as fast as they’re introduced into the body.

Such overdosing can lead to death if not addressed immediately, so you should be familiar with its symptoms and call 911 as soon as you notice any of them. Signs of Zyrtec and alcohol overdose include:

  • Low breathing rate
  • Chest pains
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Loss of balance
  • Liver failure

What To Do if You Mix Zyrtec With Alcohol

If you end up mixing Zyrtec with alcohol by accident, avoid panicking and instead keep an eye out for symptoms associated with their combination such as difficulty breathing or excessive drowsiness.

If you feel unwell or experience any of these symptoms, contact 911 immediately. Don’t try to drive yourself to the emergency room.

How To Go About Drinking Alcohol When Taking Zyrtec

It’s generally advised to refrain from drinking alcohol while using Zyrtec to prevent dangerous health situations.

But if you’re considering it, you must practice moderation, avoid taking part in activities that require coordination and alertness such as driving, and be aware of the symptoms related to increased CNS depression.

When Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol After Taking Zyrtec?

Zyrtec can stay in your system for up to 24 hours, so you should not drink alcohol during this timeframe. At the very least, you must wait a few hours after taking the medication to have a beer or a glass of wine.

Seeking Help in Case of Antihistamine Dependency or Alcohol Addiction

If you can’t seem to control your drinking while using Zyrtec, then this may be a sign you’re struggling with alcohol addiction. Similarly, if you’re unable to stop taking Zyrtec –whether or not you consume alcohol– then you’re likely suffering from substance abuse disorder.

The good news is that various treatment options are available for both conditions.

For alcohol use disorder, treatment starts with detox to rid the body of any trace of alcohol in its systems. This process is done gradually to minimize alcohol withdrawal symptoms, however, medications are often administered during detox to alleviate the pain and discomfort.

Detox may also be needed when treating antihistamine addiction depending on the dosage of the drug taken and the duration of its abuse.

After patients get through the detox stage, they progress to a treatment plan that specifically caters to the nature of their substance abuse disorder. The type of treatment program used in each plan depends on the individual’s needs and recovery goals.

Types of treatment programs for antihistamine abuse or alcohol addiction include:

Additionally, a wide range of therapies is available to help patients overcome their addiction, maintain their recovery, and avoid relapse. These include CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), group therapy, and individual counseling.

Conclusion: Reach Out

Combining Zyrtec with alcohol can compromise your well-being and cause serious health implications that might be fatal.

If you or someone you care about needs help is struggling with antihistamine and/or alcohol addiction and is at risk of suffering the consequences of combining these substances, don’t hesitate to contact us.

At Live Free Recovery, we’ll guide you on your recovery journey using customized treatment plans that implement the most effective evidence-based techniques and therapies depending on your requirements.

References

Published on: 2024-06-06
Updated on: 2024-08-17

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