Can you take Zyrtec in the morning and Xyzal 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 Xyzal (Levocetirizine) at night – both of which are antihistamines, medicines used to manage allergy symptoms. We will also discuss the potential risks of this treatment approach and some appropriate alternatives to use.
Can you take Zyrtec in the morning and Xyzal at night?
It is generally not recommended to take Zyrtec and Xyzal at the same time or on the same day unless advised by a healthcare provider.
Both Zyrtec and Xyzal are second-generation antihistamines and taking either of these meds once a day is enough to help your allergy symptoms unless your doctor tells you otherwise (1,2).
Zyrtec and Xyzal are closely related antihistamines. In fact, Levocetirizine – the active drug in Xyzal, is essentially a mirror image or enantiomer of Cetirizine, the active drug in Zyrtec, and they work in nearly the exact same way (3).
Taking them both on the same day doesn’t offer any significant advantages; it’s like taking a higher dose of Zyrtec. This combination may not provide additional benefits for managing allergies, but it does increase the risk of overdose symptoms in some individuals (4).
If you have concerns about your allergy treatment or need to adjust your regimen, consult your healthcare provider for advice.
Potential side effects of taking Zyrtec in the morning and Xyzal at night
Taking Zyrtec in the morning and Xyzal at night can cause additive side effects, as one antihistamine is enough for a day. The risk of these side effects becomes higher when these meds are taken in close proximity.
Commonly expected side effects associated with taking an extra dose of antihistamine include: (4)
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Sedation
- Dry eyes
- Constipation
These side effects can vary from person to person, as each individual is unique and can respond differently to medications. People can also have different factors affecting their health that may also make a difference.
This is why you should never take two antihistamines unless advised by your healthcare provider.
What are the alternatives to taking Zyrtec and Xyzal on the same day?
If you’re considering alternatives to taking Zyrtec and Xyzal together, there are options like nasal sprays that can complement antihistamines. One such nasal spray is Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate), which can be taken alongside antihistamines like Zyrtec or Xyzal (5).
Flonase works differently from antihistamines. It’s a corticosteroid nasal spray that helps reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, addressing symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and congestion.
Flonase is safe to use in combination with antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin, and others. These two types of medications work on different aspects of allergies and can be quite effective when used together.
Moreover, there’s Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate) available as well, which is slightly different from Flonase (6). This version contains a gentler form of Fluticasone that is designed to be more comfortable for the nasal passages, minimizing potential irritation.
If you find yourself unsure about which nasal spray to choose or how to best manage your allergies, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pharmacist. he/she can help you choose the one from the various options available that suits your needs.
When to consult your doctor?
If you find these medications ineffective in managing your symptoms, and you still find yourself struggling, please reach out to your healthcare provider.
Your doctor will properly evaluate your symptoms and will determine the best course of action to restore your health in the best possible way.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed taking Zyrtec (Cetirizine) in the morning and Xyzal (Levocetirizine) at night. We have also discussed the potential risks of this treatment approach and some appropriate alternatives to use.
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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.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 1549000, Levocetirizine; [cited 2023 Aug. 25]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Levocetirizine
3.-
Day JH, Ellis AK, Rafeiro E. Levocetirizine: a new selective H1 receptor antagonist for use in allergic disorders. Drugs Today (Barc). 2004 May;40(5):415-21. doi: 10.1358/dot.2004.40.5.850489. PMID: 15319796. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15319796/
4.-
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
5.-
LABEL: FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF- fluticasone propionate spray, metered. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=b6134ba0-b70a-4eac-9a82-cef64b242c1d&type=pdf
6.-
LABEL: FLONASE SENSIMIST ALLERGY RELIEF- fluticasone furoate spray, metered. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=107100af-7ca2-44e8-b067-c0ab0a19a6dc&type=pdf
