Can you take Zyrtec in the morning and NyQuil 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 NyQuil (Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, and Doxylamine) at night – both of which are OTC formulations. We will also discuss the potential benefits and risks of this treatment approach.
Can you take Zyrtec in the morning and NyQuil at night?
Yes, you can take Zyrtec in the morning and NyQuil at night, but there has to be at least a 12-hour time gap in between. Zyrtec is a second-generation antihistamine and NyQuil is an OTC formulation containing multiple active ingredients (1,2).
NyQuil contains three active ingredients: Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, and Doxylamine. Of these, Acetaminophen and Dextromethorphan can generally be safely taken with Zyrtec on the same day without significant interactions.
However, the ingredient of concern here is Doxylamine, which is another antihistamine. While Zyrtec is a second-generation antihistamine, and Doxylamine belongs to the first generation, they both work similarly by blocking histamine receptors (3).
Taking two antihistamines on the same day is generally not recommended due to the potential for additive sedative effects and increased risk of other side effects.
To minimize this risk, if you need to take both Zyrtec and NyQuil, it’s advisable to space them apart by at least 12 hours. This time gap helps reduce the likelihood of their simultaneous absorption and interaction in your system.
For example, if you’re taking Zyrtec at 10 am in the morning, you shouldn’t take NyQuil before 10 pm.
Potential benefits of taking Zyrtec in the morning and NyQuil at night
Taking Zyrtec in the morning and NyQuil at night may offer some potential benefits. Zyrtec is typically used to relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. It works as an antihistamine, blocking the effects of histamine, a substance that can cause allergic reactions (1).
On the other hand, NyQuil is commonly taken at night and is used to alleviate symptoms associated with colds and flu, such as congestion, coughing, and fever (2). NyQuil contains an antihistamine known as Doxylamine, which can help you sleep (4).
However, if you’re taking NyQuil at night, you may not need to take Zyrtec during the day. This is because NyQuil already contains an antihistamine that can effectively address allergy symptoms.
Potential risks of taking Zyrtec in the morning and NyQuil at night
Taking Zyrtec in the morning and NyQuil at night is associated with some potential risks.
While Zyrtec is categorized as a second-generation antihistamine and is generally considered non-sedating, it’s important to note that compared to other second-generation antihistamines, it can have a slightly higher sedative effect (5).
NyQuil, on the other hand, contains Doxylamine, which is also an antihistamine and is known to have sedative properties. Taking these two together in close proximity can increase the risk of side effects and sedation (2,4).
This can affect your mental alertness and overall cognitive function. Common side effects associated with this combination may include drowsiness, dizziness, and reduced ability to focus, which can be particularly concerning if you need to be alert and attentive during the day.
This is why it is generally not recommended to take two antihistamines on the same day or take one antihistamine twice within 24 hours.
Furthermore, formulations like NyQuil should be taken at night to avoid daytime sedation, and it’s not recommended to engage in any activity that requires your full mental alertness after taking such meds.
You also need to make sure that you don’t pair similar sedative meds together or pair formulations like NyQuil with alcohol.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the use of Zyrtec in the morning and NyQuil at night. We have also discussed the potential benefits and risks of this treatment approach, as both formulations contain antihistamines – medications used to manage allergy symptoms.
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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.-
LABEL: VICKS NYQUIL COLD AND FLU- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and doxylamine succinate capsule, liquid filled. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=620bc3dc-099b-40bd-be22-e4c3f9c8e09d&type=pdf
3.-
Farzam K, Sabir S, O’Rourke MC. Antihistamines. 2023 Jul 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30844215. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538188
4.-
Brott NR, Reddivari AKR. Doxylamine. 2023 Jun 5. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31869110. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551646
5.-
Spencer CM, Faulds D, Peters DH. Cetirizine. A reappraisal of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic use in selected allergic disorders. Drugs. 1993 Dec;46(6):1055-80. doi: 10.2165/00003495-199346060-00008. PMID: 7510611. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7510611/
