Can you take Claritin and NyQuil together? 

Can you take Claritin and NyQuil together? 

It is not recommended to take Claritin and NyQuil together, as Claritin (Loratadine) and NyQuil (Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, and Doxylamine) both contain antihistamines. 

Taking more than one anti-allergy medication at the same time is not usually a good thing and it could result in some additional side effects. However, they can be used together in some cases, but only when prescribed by the healthcare provider. 

A combination of meds often requires a dose adjustment and that step is necessary for the prevention of side effects. Generally, NyQuil should not be paired with any antihistamine, including other commonly used antihistamines like Allegra, Benadryl, Zyrtec, etc as it already contains one. 

Furthermore, not all OTC cold and flu medications can be paired with Claritin.

What are the side effects associated with the use of Claritin and NyQuil together? 

Claritin and NyQuil can cause some common side effects when they are used together as they both are antihistamines and have the same mechanism of action. These include (1,2):

  • Dry mouth 
  • Dry eyes
  • Nausea
  • Constipation 
  • Sedation 
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness 
  • Confusion 
  • Impaired motor coordination 
  • Respiratory depression

These side effects can vary from person to person and the amount of dose taken is also an important factor. It’s best to take one anti-allergy medication at one time. If you don’t find it sufficient enough to reduce your symptoms, just talk to your healthcare provider. 

What to do if you have taken Claritin and NyQuil together? 

If you have taken Claritin and NyQuil together once or twice, you will not be significantly affected. However, you may get all sleepy or dizzy, but the effects will wear off when the concentration of the drug will start to go down. 

However, some people may not feel much after taking these two meds together, but it does not indicate that you can continue to take these two together.

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References

1.-

MedlinePlus. Loratadine. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Nov 22]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697038.html

2.-

MedlinePlus. Doxylamine. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Nov 22]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682537.html