Authored by Pin Ng PhD
cetirizine and alcohol

cetirizine and alcohol
cetirizine and alcohol
Cetirizine, sold under the brand name Zyrtec among others, is a second-generation antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever), dermatitis, and urticaria. It is taken by mouth. Effects generally begin within an hour and last for about a day. The degree of benefit is similar to other antihistamines such as diphenhydramine.
Common side effects include sleepiness, dry mouth, headache, and abdominal pain. The degree of sleepiness that occurs is generally less than with first generation antihistamines. Serious side effects may include aggression and angioedema. Use in pregnancy appears safe, but use during breastfeeding is not recommended. The medication works by blocking histamine H1 receptors, mostly outside the brain.
What happens when you mix cetirizine and alcohol
Side effects of mixing cetirizine and alcohol can include
- Dizziness
- Sluggishness
- Drowsiness
- Shortness of breath
- Itching
- Hives
- Palpitations
- Respiratory Depression
- Cardiac Arrest
- Coma
- Seizures
- Death
Interestingly, it is impossible to tell what effect cetirizine and alcohol will have on an individual due to their own unique genetic make up and tolerance. It is never advisable to mix cetirizine and alcohol due to the chances of mild, moderate and severe side effects.
Alcohol and cetirizine
Alcohol and cetirizine creates a that has different effects depending on the dose: many people feel stimulated and strengthened at low doses of alcohol and cetirizine and even mixing a small amount of cetirizine and alcohol is not recommended.
Mixing alcohol and cetirizine
The primary effect of alcohol is influenced by an increase in the concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which is found in the spinal cord and brain stem, and by a reduction in its effect on neuronal transmitters that are excitatory. When alcohol is combined with cetirizine this primary effect is exaggerated, increasing the strain on the body with unpredictable results.
Alcohol and cetirizine affects dopamine levels in the brain, causing the body both mental and physical distress. Larger amounts of cetirizine and alcohol have a greater adverse effect yet leading medic al recommendation is that smaller does can be just as harmful and there is no way of knowing exactly how cetirizine and alcohol is going to affect an individual before they take it.
Taking cetirizine and alcohol together
People who taek cetirizine and alcohol together will experience the effects of both substances. Technically, the specific effects and reactions that occur due to frequent use of cetirizine and alcohol depend on whether you consume more alcohol in relation to cetirizine or more cetirizine in relation to alcohol.
The use of significantly more cetirizine with alcohol will lead to sedation and lethargy, as well as the synergistic effects resulting from a mixture of the two medications.
People who take both alcohol and cetirizine may experience effects such as:
- reduced motor reflexes from cetirizine and alcohol
- dizziness from alcohol and cetirizine
- nausea and vomiting of the cetirizine
Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three. A combination of alcohol and cetirizine leads to significantly more lethargy which can easily tip over into coma, respiratory depression seizures and death.
Treatment Professionals are Ready to Help
[contact-form-7 id=”16812″]Alcohol Vs cetirizine
Taking cetirizine in sufficient quantities increases the risk of a heart failure. Additionally, people under the influence of cetirizine and alcohol may have difficulty forming new memories. With alcohol vs cetirizine in an individual’s system they become confused and do not understand their environment. Due to the synergistic properties of cetirizine when mixed with alcohol it can lead to confusion, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders. Chronic use of cetirizine and alcohol can lead to permanent changes in the brain.
cetirizine Vs alcohol
Studies investigating the effects of drugs such as cetirizine and alcohol have shown that the potential for parasomnia (performing tasks in sleep) is dramatically increased when cetirizine and alcohol are combined. Severe and dangerous side effects can occur when medications are mixed in the system, and sleep disorders are a common side effect of taking alcohol and cetirizine together.
When a small to medium amount of alcohol is combined with cetirizine, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can occur. According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) most ER visits and hospitalizations caused by too much alcohol were associated with other substances such as cetirizine.
How long after taking cetirizine can I drink alcohol
To avoid any residual toxicity it is advisable to wait until the cetirizine has totally cleared your system before drinking alcohol, even in small quantities.
Overdose on cetirizine and alcohol
Overdose on cetirizine and alcohol is alarmingly common and can often be fatal. In the case of Overdose on cetirizine or if you are worried after mixing {Drug and alcohol} call a first responder or proceed to the nearest Emergency Room immediately. If you are worried about someone who has taken too much cetirizine or mixed alcohol with cetirizine then call a first responder or take them to get immediate medical help. The best place for you or someone you care about in the case of a medical emergency is under medical supervision. Be sure to tell the medical team that there is a mix of cetirizine and alcohol. The combination of alcohol and cetirizine increases the likelihood that a person would be transferred to intensive care.