{"id":62193,"date":"2023-12-15T09:30:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T14:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=62193"},"modified":"2024-11-12T19:58:59","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T00:58:59","slug":"does-zyrtec-make-you-drowsy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/does-zyrtec-make-you-drowsy\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Zyrtec make you drowsy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve had itchy, watery eyes for days. Or maybe you can\u2019t stop sneezing. Desperate for help, you head to the store for meds that promise allergy relief. Chances are, you walk out with an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment like Zyrtec in hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zyrtec is the brand name for <\/span>cetirizine<\/span><\/a>, an <\/span>antihistamine<\/span><\/a> used to treat allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Like all antihistamine medications, it works by blocking the effects of histamines, natural substances the body produces in response to allergens. <\/span>Zyrtec-D<\/span><\/a>, a different option, combines cetirizine and the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Zyrtec is considered generally safe for most people, it may still cause side effects. The most common side effects of Zyrtec include drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. So, will Zyrtec make you sleepy? And if so, how long will it take for the drowsiness to wear off?<\/span><\/p>\n

Does Zyrtec make you drowsy?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Drowsiness is a common side effect of Zyrtec. In placebo-controlled clinical trials, <\/span>11% to 14%<\/span><\/a> of patients taking Zyrtec reported feeling sleepy after taking the medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, <\/span>Zyrtec<\/span><\/a> is not the only allergy medication that causes drowsiness. Older, first-generation antihistamines\u2014such as <\/span>Benadryl<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>diphenhydramine<\/span><\/a>) or <\/span>hydroxyzine<\/span><\/a>\u2014are even more likely to have sedative-like effects, explains <\/span>Jodie Pepin<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., the clinical pharmacy program director at <\/span>Harbor Health<\/span><\/a> in Austin, Texas. Second-generation antihistamines were developed to be as effective with fewer or less severe side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Dr. Pepin, if you\u2019re one of the people who experience drowsiness from Zyrtec, you\u2019ll start feeling sleepy 60-90 minutes after taking it. This side effect can last up to eight hours, she adds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to drowsiness, other common <\/span>Zyrtec side effects<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n