What is cetirizine and pseudoephedrine?
Cetirizine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine
can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated
blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
The combination of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine is used to treat cold or allergy symptoms
such as nasal and sinus congestion, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or runny nose.
Cetirizine and pseudoephedrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cetirizine and pseudoephedrine?
Do not use cetirizine and pseudoephedrine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious side effects can occur if you take
pseudoephedrine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
You should not use cetirizine and pseudoephedrine if you are allergic to either drug, or if
you have:
-
narrow-angle glaucoma;
-
severe high blood pressure (hypertension);
-
severe coronary artery disease;
-
if you are unable to urinate; or
-
if you are allergic to hydralazine (Atarax, Vistaril).
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using cetirizine and pseudoephedrine if
you have:
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether cetirizine and
pseudoephedrine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Cetirizine and pseudoephedrine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from cetirizine and pseudoephedrine.
How should I take cetirizine and pseudoephedrine?
Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not
use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take one tablet every 12 hours, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. You may take this
medication with or without food.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking
or opening the pill may cause too much of the medicine to be released at one time.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a
fever.
Store cetirizine and pseudoephedrine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about cetirizine and pseudoephedrine?
Your pharmacist has information about cetirizine and pseudoephedrine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
-
weakness, tremors (uncontrolled shaking), or sleep
problems (insomnia);
-
severe restless feeling, hyperactivity;
-
extreme feeling of fear or confusion;
-
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision,
trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
-
problems with vision; or
-
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dizziness, drowsiness;
-
tired feeling;
-
dry mouth;
-
nausea, stomach pain, constipation;
-
problems with concentration; or
-
ringing in your ears.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about cetirizine and pseudoephedrine?
Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate) within the past 14 days.
You should not use cetirizine and pseudoephedrine if you are allergic to either drug, or if you
have narrow-angle glaucoma, severe high blood pressure (hypertension), severe coronary artery
disease, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are allergic to hydralazine (Atarax, Vistaril).
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold medication without first asking your doctor or
pharmacist. Pseudoephedrine is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take
certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this drug. Read the label of any other
medicine you are using to see if it contains pseudoephedrine.
Cetirizine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of cetirizine.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a
fever.
What should I avoid while taking cetirizine and pseudoephedrine?
Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without
your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with pseudoephedrine can increase your risk of
unpleasant side effects.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold medication without first asking your doctor or
pharmacist. Pseudoephedrine is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take
certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this drug. Read the label of any other
medicine you are using to see if it contains pseudoephedrine.
Cetirizine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of cetirizine.
What other drugs will affect cetirizine and pseudoephedrine?
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other
cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for
seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by cetirizine.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following drugs:
-
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
-
blood pressure medication, especially methyldopa
(Aldomet), mecamylamine (Inversine), or reserpine; or
-
diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medications.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
cetirizine and pseudoephedrine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter
medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a
new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine?