Exact Answer: After 24 hours
Allergies are common and develop in any person when their immune system reacts excessively to substances that are harmless. When you’re detected to a substance you’re allergic to (such as dirt, smoke, pet dander, dust, peanuts, ragweed, etc), your body develops ‘histamine’, which is a chemical courier discharged by cells in the immune system to warn and activate other cells of the immune system. After that, it develops to recognize and know the allergen(that causes allergies). As it does so, it begins giving rise to antibodies to attack it when exposure happens.
Histamine results in the common allergy signs of sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and an itchy throat that you relate with frontage to whichever allergens you are susceptible to. Therefore, Antihistamines were introduced to decrease the quantity of histamine circulating in your system, thereby reducing symptoms and relieving your body. Such Antihistamines include Claritin and Zyrtec. Both are regarded as newer-generation antihistamines. Other antihistamines are there too such as Atarax and Benadryl, regarded as first-generation antihistamines and very useful for allergies. But these are used in a limited manner due to their side effects such as tiredness and fatigue.
How Long After Taking Zyrtec Can I Take Claritin?
| Time gap between Zyrtec and Claritin | 24 hours |
| Zyrtec is preferred for | Above 6 years of age |
| Claritin is preferred for | Above 2 years of age |
Claritin and Zyrtec are newer-generation antihistamines that can treat hives and allergies. There may be some advantages as it does not have many side effects in comparison to other antihistamines. Claritin is long-acting and working. People experience at least 24 hours of relaxation after a dose. Whereas, Zyrtec is fast-acting and works quickly. People who consume it may feel at ease in less than one hour. So, both of the drugs act equally but differ in relief duration.
If you want to take Claritin after taking Zyrtec, you should consult a doctor before taking it. While you should ask your doctor about the best means to take any drug, there are broadly accepted dosing suggestions for both of the antihistamines. The first and the main thing about these antihistamines is that each functions best when taken every day rather than intermittently. With a proper prescription, you can take it after 24 hours as Claritin takes that much duration to give sufficient relief.
Apart from that, Antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin are developed to relieve and calm the histamine consequence your body has when it’s exposed to an allergen. When your body experiences something it’s allergic to, it gives out white blood cells and goes into fight mode. These drugs are developed to prevent the reactions of the histamine that your body creates. Both the antihistamines come in similar forms like Solid tablets, Syrups, Capsules, Oral solutions, Dissolving tablets, and Chewable pills.
The prescribed doses rely on your age and the stringency of your indications and signs. Claritin is effective in the body for at least 24 hours. The normal daily dose of Claritin for grown-ups as well as kids who are 6 years and more is 10 mg per day. And for Zyrtec, it’s 5 mg or 10 mg. The normal daily dose of Claritin for kids aged 2–5 years is 5 mg.
Why Can I Take Claritin So Long After Taking Zyrtec?
Both Zyrtec and Claritin are beneficial over-the-counter allergy mitigation drugs. If your option has brought you down to these two medicines, you may ask yourself, will tiredness and sleepiness affect your day-to-day routine? If the opinions to this question don’t give rise to an answer, consult your doctor or druggist for a suggestion. If you find that the suggested medicine works nicely, stick with it and if it doesn’t, then attempt the other. If none of the options appear to help, meet an allergist. You may require a different course of therapy for your allergies.
In case you find, after taking Zyrtec it does not make you feel better then go for another one. Claritin gives relief after 24 hours and it’s effective too. As we know every drug has side effects so we can’t ignore that part. In comparison to others, Claritin and Zyrtec have very few side effects so they can be taken without any fear with a proper prescription.
But still, some side effects may happen. So, due to some rare side effects, it takes some time to take one after another as prescribed. Claritin barely causes sleepiness than Zyrtec when you take either at prescribed doses. Zyrtec can result in drowsiness, but only in some people. Take it for the first time when you will be at home for a few hours in case it makes you sleepy.
Some rare and mild side effects resulting from both drugs include feeling drowsy or tired, headache, dizziness, sore throat, dry mouth, eye redness, stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation. So, due to these rare side effects, you must avoid taking both at the same time. It takes barely 24 hours to take another antihistamine after the other.
Conclusion
Both Zyrtec and Claritin may make you sleepy or tired. That’s why, you shouldn’t take these drugs if you also take energy pills, muscle relaxers, sleeping pills, or others that cause sleepiness. Any medicine you consume must be under the supervision, or advice of your doctor.
Consuming them at the same moment can make you very sleepy. Do not take either of these medications with alcohol. Alcohol may increase side effects and consequences which will make you dangerously drowsy. It’s better to take the proper advice of a druggist after taking any allergy relief drugs.