Taking Zyrtec All The Time For Your Allergies Can Come With Some Side Effects
They're rare but still sucky. Spring can seem synonymous with warmer weather and more sunshine. But it's also a time when many people are coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose nonstop. Allergy meds like Zyrtec can alleviate some of your symptoms. As with any other drugs, it's important to keep Zyrtec side effects in mind so you can get all the benefits while minimizing any potential downsides. The good news is there are fewer side effects from Zyrtec compared to first-generation antihistamines such as Benadryl, and it's relatively safe even at higher than standard doses for most people, says Jennifer Toh, MD, an allergist and immunologist at ENT and Allergy Associates. Plus, any side effects are typically mild, and a majority of people can take the medication with no issues, says Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist and immunologist at Allergy & Asthma Network. ICYMI, Zyrtec is an antihistamine and it blocks histamines to stop allergic reactions, says Virginia Boomershine, an ambulatory clinical pharmacy regional senior manager for Banner Pharmacy Services. Histamines are the culprits behind all those pesky allergy symptoms, like itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, and sneezing. Keep reading to find out whether this medication is right for you and what you can do about the potential side effects. Meet the experts: Jennifer Toh, MD, is an allergist and immunologist at ENT and Allergy Associates. Purvi Parikh, MD, is an allergist and immunologist at Allergy & Asthma Network. Virginia Boomershine is an ambulatory clinical pharmacy regional senior manager for Banner Pharmacy Services Is it safe to take Zyrtec every day? Yep. "When taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily. This is especially true with Zyrtec, since it doesn't show decreasing effectiveness if used daily," says Sima Patel, MD, an allergist at New York Allergy & Sinus Centers. Still, it's probably worth holding off on medication that you don't need, says Dr. Patel. So if you aren't having allergy symptoms or they get milder during a certain time of the year, that's probably a good time to take a Zyrtec break. "We always want the least amount of medication to control symptoms. However, starting allergy medications two weeks prior to your symptomatic season is best to help prevent symptoms," Dr. Patel says. Is it better to take Zyrtec in the morning or at night? It depends on whether you experience any side effects, says Robert Eitches, MD, an allergist at Tower Allergy. If your problems are only during the day time and you aren't really prone to side effects, then go ahead and take it during the day. But if you experience side effects like drowsiness, Dr. Eitches recommends taking your dose at night before bed. "That way you wake up in the morning relatively clearer too," he says. If it makes you sleepy, the side effect will have likely worn off by the time you wake up, and since the medication can provide relief for 24 hours, you'll still experience relief during the day. Is there anyone who should not take Zyrtec? Zyrtec is safe for most people, but there are some individuals who should stay away. Children under 2, anyone with a history of an allergic reaction to Zyrtec or hydroxyzine/piperazine derivatives, and those with severe renal impairment shouldn't take Zyrtec, says Dr. Patel. If you are pregnant and breastfeeding, Dr. Patel recommends speaking to your doctor before using it. The medication is "primarily eliminated from your body through the kidneys," says Dr. Parikh. So, if your kidneys aren't functioning properly, the medication can accumulate and build up in your blood, which may cause additional damage to your kidneys and severe side effects. Additionally, if you take any medications that can cause sedation, such as benzodiazepines, you should talk with your doctor before taking Zyrtec, says Dr. Parikh, because combining the two may cause worsened side effects. Other antihistamines are typically okay to take with Zyrtec as long as they don’t make you too sleepy, she adds. And it's always a good idea avoid alcohol when you're on Zyrtec. When in doubt, go to your doctor with any questions before you take Zyrtec to quell allergy symptoms. 10 Zyrtec Side Effects To Be Aware Of It's best to be aware of potential Zyrtec side effects—especially if you're planning on popping the stuff on the reg over the next few months.
2023-04-14T21:17:46Z
Bladder cancer: the symptoms that should alarm you
Bladder cancer is one of the most widespread and common cancers of all, and especially affects people of a certain age, generally between 60 and 70, and is three times more frequent in men than in women.There are currently no screening or prevention programmes, although there is a list of symptoms and warnings to understand, if nothing else, whether one is at risk of contracting this disease. The survival rate however, unlike many other forms of carcinoma, is quite high, around 80% depending on treatment.There are various types of treatment for various types of bladder cancer, which can go as far as total removal of the organ.
2023-06-04T13:19:47Z
According to Experts, These Are the Best Ways to Lose Weight Naturally
Maintaining your weight ≠ dieting. Despite what the weight-loss industry would have you believe, there are no quick fixes in life. A few weeks of deprivation won't help you achieve your body goals — and if your primary concern is how to get skinny or lose weight as quickly as possible, then it may be time to change your mindset. Diets aren't sustainable, and that's because restricting what you eat is only a temporary solution. Rather than dieting, the best way to achieve healthy weight loss over time (and, more importantly, support long-term weight maintenance) is to make a few simple lifestyle changes. Of course, every body is different, so the healthy weight loss strategies that work for someone else may not work for you. It's also important to remember that a smaller body is not necessarily a healthier one. Long-lasting health gains come from improving your diet and incorporating exercise in ways that you can sustain, and while those results may include a shrinking waistline, try not to focus on a goal weight. We spoke to nutritionists and dietitians to find out the natural weight loss and weight maintenance strategies that actually work, and here's what they had to say.
2022-11-14T00:26:31Z
