Is it okay to take Zyrtec with NyQuil?
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
Is it okay to take Zyrtec with NyQuil?
It is not recommended to take Zyrtec with NyQuil. However, you can take them on the same day. Zyrtec (Cetirizine) is an antihistamine medication which controls certain types of allergic symptoms (1).
NyQuil, on the other hand, is a cold and flu medication which contains Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, and Doxylamine (2). Doxylamine is also an antihistamine in nature. It is generally recommended not to take two antihistamines at the same time.
If your condition requires the use of these two on the same day, I would recommend taking NyQuil first. This is because the antihistamine present in NyQuil, Doxylamine, is a first-generation antihistamine which stays in your body for 4-6 hours (1,2).
On the other hand, Zyrtec stays for 24 hours as it is a second-generation antihistamine. Just make sure you leave a sufficient time gap between the administration of these two drugs.
Potential risks associated with taking Zyrtec with NyQuil
Taking Zyrtec (cetirizine) with NyQuil can pose potential risks due to the combination of active ingredients in both medications. These risks include (3):
- Drowsiness and sedation: Both Zyrtec and NyQuil’s antihistamine components can cause drowsiness and sedation. When taken together, these effects may be intensified, leading to excessive drowsiness, impaired alertness, and difficulty performing everyday tasks safely, such as driving or operating machinery (3).
- Cognitive impairment: The combination of antihistamines in Zyrtec and NyQuil can affect cognitive function, leading to confusion, poor concentration, and memory problems (3).
- Respiratory depression: High doses of antihistamines can suppress the respiratory system, particularly when combined with other sedative medications. This can be particularly concerning for individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (3)
- Liver toxicity: NyQuil contains acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage when taken in excessive amounts or when combined with other medications that also contain acetaminophen, like some cold and allergy remedies (3).
- Overdose risk: Taking Zyrtec and NyQuil together can increase the risk of accidentally exceeding the recommended dosage of any of the shared active ingredients, potentially leading to an overdose (3).
- Other side effects: Both Zyrtec and NyQuil may cause side effects like dry mouth, dizziness, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Taking them together can intensify these effects (3).
It’s essential to talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist before combining these medications to understand the potential risks and benefits. If you experience severe drowsiness, difficulty breathing, or any unusual symptoms after taking the combination, seek immediate medical attention.
Final words
To sum up, it’s best to avoid taking Zyrtec and NyQuil together. In fact, Zyrtec should not be combined with any other antihistamine, like Benadryl, Claritin, etc. Taking more than one antihistamine does not give you additional benefits.
On the contrary, it can actually increase the risk of certain side effects. This is why it’s best to stick to using one antihistamine at a time. If you find the medication ineffective or insufficient for your symptoms, please reach out to your healthcare provider.
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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.-
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
