tran asked
can i take zyrtec during the day and mucinex at night with unisom? Or will i wake up dead?
Answer
Taking Zyrtec and Unisom together is not recommended due to the risk of increased adverse events. Both medications contain antihistamines and taking them together increases the risk of side effects, including:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Increased heart rate
- Respiratory depression (rare)
Zyrtec
Zyrtec contains cetirizine, a "second-generation" antihistamine that is typically dosed once every 24 hours. While other second-generation antihistamines like Claritin and Allegra are considered non-drowsy, Zyrtec is not. According to the prescribing information, somnolence (i.e. drowsiness) occurs in around 14% of individuals.
Unisom
Unisom SleepGels contain diphenhydramine while Unisom SleepTabs contain doxylamine. Both diphenhramine and doxylamine are sedating "first-generation" antihistamines. Both Unisom products are marketed over the counter for treatment of insomnia. While well tolerated in general, commonly reported side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
Taking Zyrtec With Unisom Products
As mentioned above, the combination of Zyrtec and Unisom generally isn't recommended due to the potential of additive sedation and other side effects. Nevertheless, your doctor may recommend intermittent use of Unisom on an as needed basis only depending on the problems you are having.
The serious side effects of ingesting too much of an antihistamine (e.g. increased heart rate and respiratory depression) aren't overly common and are generally more of a concern in susceptible individuals (e.g. the elderly) and those who take additional CNS depressant medications. The combination can be used but isn't recommended unless your doctor recommends it to you.
Additional Information
Both Zyrtec and Unisom are safe to take with Mucinex. There is no drug interaction between them.
