Can you take Zyrtec in the morning and Claritin at night?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
In this article, we will discuss taking Zyrtec (Cetirizine) in the morning and Claritin (Loratadine) at night – both of which are antihistamines. We will also discuss the potential benefits and risks of this treatment approach.
Can you take Zyrtec in the morning and Claritin at night?
You can take Zyrtec in the morning and Claritin at night if prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Both Zyrtec and Claritin are second-generation antihistamines and It is not generally recommended to take two antihistamines together or on the same day unless advised by a doctor in case of serious allergies (1,2).
Taking either Zyrtec or Claritin is considered enough to deal with allergy symptoms. Taking Zyrtec in the morning and Claritin at night is no different from taking a double dose of Zyrtec or a double dose of Claritin in one day.
These medications are generally recommended to be taken once daily – as second-generation antihistamines are long-acting and they work for almost an entire day (3).
Potential benefits of taking Zyrtec in the morning and Claritin at night
Taking Zyrtec in the morning and Claritin at night can be beneficial in severe allergy cases and under the guidance of a doctor. Zyrtec, when taken in the morning, can provide daytime relief from symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
On the other hand, taking Claritin at night can help alleviate nighttime symptoms, such as congestion and itching, ensuring a more comfortable sleep (1,2). However, it’s crucial to know that this regimen is not suitable for everyone and should only be initiated if recommended by a healthcare professional.
Potential risks of taking Zyrtec in the morning and Claritin at night
Taking Zyrtec in the morning and Claritin at night is associated with some potential health risks. Combining these two antihistamines may lead to an increase in side effects. These can include drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, and a feeling of overall fatigue (4,5).
This happens because both medications work to block histamine, a chemical involved in allergic reactions, and their combined effect can intensify these side effects.
Moreover, it’s essential to highlight that this combination may not provide the additional relief one might hope for. The expectation is that taking one antihistamine in the morning and another at night will offer round-the-clock symptom management.
However, in many cases, a single antihistamine taken as directed can effectively control allergy symptoms. Using both Zyrtec and Claritin simultaneously may not necessarily lead to a significant improvement in symptom relief.
What to do if one antihistamine is not enough to help your symptoms?
If you find one antihistamine inadequate to help your allergy symptoms, please reach out to your healthcare provider. Your doctor will properly evaluate your condition and will recommend the best course of action.
There are other medications, like OTC painkillers, nasal decongestants, cough suppressants, nasal sprays, etc. that can help with various allergies, colds, and flu symptoms to help you feel better. Just remember not to take two antihistamines at the same time or on the same day without consulting your doctor first.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the use of Zyrtec in the morning and Benadryl at night. We have also discussed the potential benefits and risks of this treatment approach, and what one should do if one antihistamine fails to manage the symptoms effectively.
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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. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549776
2.-
Sidhu G, Akhondi H. Loratadine. 2023 Mar 13. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31194418. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542278/
3.-
Slater JW, Zechnich AD, Haxby DG. Second-generation antihistamines: a comparative review. Drugs. 1999 Jan;57(1):31-47. doi: 10.2165/00003495-199957010-00004. PMID: 9951950. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9951950/
4.-
MedlinePlus. Cetirizine: MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (NLM, US). Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698026.html
5.-
MedlinePlus. Loratadine: MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (NLM, US). Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697038.html
