Can You Take Zyrtec With Amoxicillin? (+5 Safety Tips)

It is often wise to ascertain that there is no interaction between two different medications before taking them together. Doing this can help prevent any dangerous drug-drug interaction that could harm your health.

In this article, the pharmacist will let you know whether or not it is safe to take Zyrtec with Amoxicillin.

Can You Take Zyrtec With Amoxicillin?

You can safely take Zyrtec (cetirizine) with amoxicillin because there is no interaction between these two drugs. Both Zyrtec and amoxicillin work differently and also treat different things.

Zyrtec is effective in treating symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as sneezing, runny nose;  watery, red, itchy eyes; and hives (rashes or urticaria). While Amoxicillin is used primarily to treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria.

You could derive some additional benefits from taking Cetirizine (Zyrtec) with Amoxicillin if the cause of your symptoms is bacteria. This changes if you are having a common cold.

Common cold is caused almost exclusively by viruses. And taking amoxicillin will not provide any additional benefit in this case because it only works against bacteria, not viruses. 

However, Zyrtec is very effective in relieving some of the symptoms of common cold. So you will still derive some benefits from using the two medications together.

About Zyrtec

Zyrtec is a brand name for the antihistamine – cetirizine. It belongs to the second generation of antihistamines. 

As such, it does not cause sedation side effects to the same extent associated with first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), doxylamine, etc.

Zyrtec doesn’t cause severe sedation because it does not cross into the brain to bind to histamine receptors there as much as its counterparts do. However, some people may still feel a bit drowsy after taking it.

Side Effects of Zyrtec

Zyrtec is very safe when used as prescribed in managing allergic rhinitis and hives. However, just like every other medication, it also has some side effects. 

Zyrtec is associated with the following side effects:

• Headaches 
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue 
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Excessive sleep

These side effects are usually mild and often resolve on their own after discontinuing the medication.

Appropriate Doses Of Zyrtec

Zyrtec is available as tablets, chewable tablets, dissolving tablets, liquid gels, and syrup. The recommended dosing depends on the patient’s age:

• Adults & children ≥12 years: 5 or 10 mg daily by mouth based on symptom severity.
• Children 6-11 years: 5 or 10 mg daily by mouth based on symptom severity.
• Children 2-5 years: 2.5 mg daily by mouth as syrup.
• Children 6 months-23 months: 2.5 mg daily by mouth as syrup.

Before taking Zyrtec, consult your doctor to help you decide the appropriate dose. Do not take more than recommended.

About Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic. It is effective in treating ear nose and throat infections, respiratory and urinary tract infections, skin and skin structure infections, and for Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with peptic ulcer disease. 

Amoxicillin is only effective in treating infections caused by bacteria that are susceptible to it. It is taken every 8 to 12 hours. 

The doses vary based on the age of the patient and the infection being treated. Child dose can be calculated easily with our amoxicillin pediatric dosage calculator. 

Amoxicillin is available in various dosage forms such as capsules, oral suspensions, and tablets. It can be safely taken with Nyquil and other common OTC drugs like:

• Dayquil
• Allegra
• Claritin
• Xyzal
• Benadryl, etc.

Not all drugs can be safely taken with amoxicillin or Zyrtec so always check with your pharmacist before combining two different medications.

Safety Tips When Taking Zyrtec With Amoxicillin

1. Some people experience mild sedation after taking Zyrtec. If you experience this too, do not drive or operate machinery.
2. While alcohol does not affect amoxicillin, it may interact with cetirizine. Taking alcohol with Zyrtec may enhance its central nervous system side effects such as sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Avoid alcohol while on Zyrtec
3. Do not combine Zyrtec with any other antihistamine such as Benadryl, or any antihistamine-containing products like Nyquil.
4. Make sure that you complete your full course of amoxicillin treatment even if you feel better. Stopping the drug without reaching the prescribed duration can make the bacteria develop resistance against it. This will make amoxicillin not to work for you again when next you take it.
5. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist before combining two different medications. This will help prevent dangerous drug interactions that can negatively impact your health.

Final Thoughts

There is no interaction between Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Amoxicillin. Hence, they can be safely taken together. However, you must ensure that you adhere to the above-stated safety tips to prevent any treatment problems. As always, do not hesitate to reach out to your pharmacist, doctor, or us for any medication questions you may have.

References

• Naqvi A, Gerriets V. Cetirizine. [Updated 2023 Jan 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. 
• Akhavan BJ, Khanna NR, Vijhani P. Amoxicillin. [Updated 2023 Nov 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. 
• Zyrtec official website:  Product Guide