Can you overdose on Zyrtec (Cetirizine)?
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
Can you overdose on Zyrtec (Cetirizine)?
You can overdose on Zyrtec if you take too much of it. However, you may not get significantly affected by taking a couple of extra doses of Zyrtec. This is because Zyrtec has a relatively good safety profile and it would need a massive overdose to cause lethal side effects (1).
Some case studies revealed that taking 15 tablets of 10mg Zyrtec (total 150 mg) only caused excessive sedation in patients and no other life-threatening effect was observed.
In fact, doses higher than 150 mg have also shown impaired mental alertness and drowsiness, but the side effects were not lethal. This indicates that Zyrtec has a wide therapeutic index and a dose or two will not significantly harm you. However, people are different and can respond differently to a Zyrtec overdose.
Make sure you take only as much Zyrtec as your condition requires. Overdosing on meds could be more serious for some people, especially those who are generally sensitive to meds. It is also important to make sure that you don’t pair Zyrtec with other antihistamines like Claritin, as it can also trigger the symptoms of overdose.
What are the symptoms associated with Zyrtec overdose?
Overdosing on Zyrtec can cause mild to severe symptoms, depending on the dose taken. (1,2)
Mild symptoms of Zyrtec overdose include:
- Drowsiness or feeling tired
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Restlessness or agitation
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Diarrhoea
Severe symptoms of Zyrtec overdose include:
- Severe drowsiness or difficulty staying awake
- Confusion or disorientation
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Tremors or uncontrollable shaking
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
These side effects can vary from person to person and can depend on various factors like the patient’s age, weight, dose of Zyrtec taken, underlying health conditions, etc.
It is also important to note that Zyrtec should not be taken with other antihistamines, including Allegra, Benadryl, Xyzal, Claritin, Hydroxyzine, or other OTC formulations containing an antihistamine like NyQuil, or alcohol.
Taking these medications concomitantly or taking alcohol with them can increase the risk of side effects.
However, Zyrtec can be taken with medications like Singulair (Montelukast), which can manage allergy symptoms without causing additive side effects. Just make sure you discuss combination treatments with your doctor or pharmacist first.
It is also important to make sure that you are not consuming expired Zyrtec. Some people take twice the typical dose thinking that expired medications may become less effective and that double-dosing is important for the desired therapeutic outcome. This is an unsafe practice which can lead to overdosing.
What to do if you have accidentally overdosed on Zyrtec?
If you accidentally overdose on Zyrtec or suspect that you have taken too much, it’s essential to take immediate action. First, do not hesitate to seek medical help right away. Call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room for immediate medical attention (2).
While waiting for medical help, try to stay calm and alert. If you can, provide as much information as possible about the medication you took, the amount, and the time of ingestion. This information will be helpful for healthcare professionals to provide the best care.
It’s crucial not to ignore the situation or assume that the symptoms will go away on their own. An overdose of Zyrtec can lead to serious side effects, and prompt medical evaluation is essential to ensure your safety and well-being.
Final words
To sum up, you can overdose on Zyrtec or literally any other medication on this planet. Drugs do possess therapeutic properties, but every drug has the potential to harm you if you take too much of it. This is why it’s crucial to ensure the safe and effective use of your medications.
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References
1.-
Naqvi A, Gerriets V. Cetirizine. 2023 Jan 30. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31747183. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549776
2.-
Borowy CS, Mukherji P. Antihistamine Toxicity. 2023 Apr 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29493943. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482318
