Can You Take Zyrtec and Tylenol?

Are you experiencing allergy symptoms and a headache at the same time? You might be curious if taking Zyrtec and Tylenol is safe because combining medications can sometimes have unwanted effects.

So, Can you take Zyrtec And Tylenol?

You can take Zyrtec and Tylenol together if no other medicinal compounds are added. There are no known interactions found between these two medicines. However, take the proper dosage and consult your doctor if you have any underlying health issues or other medications.

In this article, we will determine if Zyrtec and Tylenol can be taken simultaneously, their possible side effects, and what precautions to take. Keep reading!

Can You Take Zyrtec And Tylenol?

Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) are medications commonly used for different purposes. While Tylenol is primarily used to relieve pain and reduce fever, Zyrtec is an antihistamine for treating allergies.

  • What is Tylenol Used For?

Tylenol is a popular medication that works by blocking chemicals in the brain that carry pain signals. It is commonly used to relieve fever and pain caused by headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and toothaches. Tylenol is also available with other medications, such as codeine, for more severe pain relief.

  • What is Zyrtec Used For?

Zyrtec is an antihistamine medication used to cure symptoms of allergies like itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. It reduces the action of histamine, a substance your body produces during an allergic reaction. Zyrtec is also used to relieve itching and swelling caused by hives, a skin condition resulting in itchy, red bumps.

  • Can You Take Tylenol With Zyrtec?

Yes, you can take Tylenol with Zyrtec. Plain Tylenol (acetaminophen) and plain Zyrtec are fine to take together if no other ingredient exists. No known interaction between the two medications has been found in research, and they are often combined to treat allergies and pain simultaneously. 

Doctors have also said taking them together for children and pregnant women is okay. However, following each medication’s recommended dosages is essential, and talk to your doctor for any concerns. Taking too many of these medicines can lead to serious side effects.

  • How Long After Zyrtec Can You Take Tylenol?

As we now know that Tylenol and Zyrtec don’t interact with each other; you can take them almost immediately after each other or even together.

  • Dosage Recommendations 

The recommended dosage for Tylenol depends on the age and weight of the individual. Adults can take up to 1,000 mg every four to six hours, up to a maximum of 4,000 mg daily. Children should be given a lower dose based on their weight. Check the official site for details on this case. Here is a table for Tylenol dosage recommendations.

Age Dosage
Adults (12 years and older) 1,000 mg every 4-6 hours, up to 4,000 mg per day
Children (2-11 years) Lower dose based on weight

The recommended dosage for Zyrtec is 10 milligrams (mg) daily for adults and children 12 years and older. For children ages 6 to 11 years, the recommended dosage is 5 mg once a day. For children aged between 2 to 5 years, the recommended dosage is 2.5 mg once a day. Here is a table for Zyrtec dosage recommendations.

Age Dosage
Adults (12 years and older) 10 mg once a day
Children (6-11 years) 5 mg once a day
Children (2-5 years) 2.5 mg once a day

Follow the dosage guideline properly for safety and proper medication.

  • Possible Side Effects 

While there is no known interaction between Tylenol and Zyrtec, each medication can cause it’s own side effects. If you face any side effects from these medicines, immediately stop taking the medicine and consult with your doctor.

Tylenol Side Effects

Tylenol can cause many side effects, such as stomach pain, nausea, headache, loss of appetite, itching, hoarseness, rash, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and swelling of the face, tongue, throat, or limbs. Rarely Tylenol can cause serious side effects, such as liver damage, especially if taken in large doses or over a long time.

Zyrtec Side Effects 

The side effects of Zyrtec are drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. Rarely, Zyrtec can cause serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

  • Medications That Should Not Be Combined With Tylenol

When taking Tylenol, avoid other medications containing acetaminophen, alcohol, warfarin, carbamazepine, and isoniazid. These drugs can cause liver damage, increase bleeding risk, decrease effectiveness, or worsen side effects.

  • Medications That Should Not Be Combined With Zyrtec

If you’re taking Zyrtec, don’t drink alcohol or take other antihistamines, CNS depressants, ketoconazole, erythromycin, or rifampin. These drugs can increase the risk of side effects, reduce effectiveness, or increase drug levels in the body. 

Always consult a healthcare professional before taking medication to avoid unwanted drug interactions.

  • Other Precautions

In addition to the precautions mentioned throughout this article, you should consider some other precautions.

  • Don’t take Tylenol and Zyrtec if you’re allergic to them or their ingredients.
  • Talk to your doctor before taking Tylenol if you have liver or kidney disease.
  • Be careful driving or operating heavy machinery if Zyrtec makes you tired.
  • Talk to your doctor before taking Tylenol or Zyrtec if you have underlying medical conditions or take other medications.
  • Don’t exceed the recommended dosage instructions for either medication to avoid serious side effects or overdose.

Following these precautions, you can safely take Tylenol and Zyrtec to relieve pain and allergy symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Should You Not Take With Allergy Medicine?

Don’t take allergy medicines with antibiotics like erythromycin, as these medications can interact, causing harmful side effects. Similarly, avoid medicines for fungal infections like itraconazole or ketoconazole while taking allergy medicines. Always talk to your doctor before combining different prescription drugs.

How Long Does Zyrtec Take to Work?

Zyrtec usually takes 20 minutes to start working for 50% of people, and within one hour, it starts working for 95% of the people. Also, the effects of Zyrtec last for at least 24 hours.

Can I Take Tylenol on An Empty Stomach?

Yes, you can take Tylenol on an empty stomach safely. Just make sure to take it with a full glass of water.

Conclusion 

You can take Zyrtec and Tylenol together; it is generally safe if no other medications are added. Adhering to recommended dosages and avoiding other interacting drugs is essential to prevent adverse effects. If there are concerns, consult with a doctor or pharmacist. With proper care, allergy symptoms and pain can be managed effectively.

Marzia Khan
Marzia Khan

Marzia Khan is the director of content and operations at RobustAlive. She contributes to content strategy and process management across product initiatives, RND, and the editorial. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Frontline, and the PBS. Before joining RobustAlive, she also co-authored award-winning research on health and wellness and participated in various initiatives to increase awareness about healthy living and chronic disease prevention. She acts as the co-editor for RobustAlive and brings an expansive network of connections to the table while managing activity execution where required.

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