Is Zyrtec safer than Benadryl?

The CSACI says that the newer antihistamines are safer, less-sedating, and more effective. They state that Benadryl is associated with significant side effects like sedation, poor sleep, and motor impairment, potentially leading to accidents and death, and should only be used as a last resort.

What is the safest antihistamine?

Loratadine, cetrizine, and fexofenadine all have excellent safety records. Their cardiovascular safety has been demonstrated in drug-interaction studies, elevated-dose studies, and clinical trials. These three antihistamines have also been shown safe in special populations, including pediatric and elderly patients.

What is the safest allergy medicine to take?

Medications that often can be safely used by people with significant allergies include nasal corticosteroids. In addition, antihistamines are very effective. The antihistamines include fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

What are the dangers of Zyrtec?

Drowsiness, tiredness, and dry mouth may occur. Stomach pain may also occur, especially in children. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

What allergy medicine has the least side effects?

Research suggests that fexofenadine is the least sedating of the newer antihistamines. According to drug safety monitoring reports, loratadine and fexofenadine are less likely to cause sedation than cetirizine.

Why doctors are advising against Benadryl

Can Zyrtec cause anxiety?

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are known to cause extreme drowsiness; however, in certain people, they can cause insomnia, excitability, anxiety, restlessness, and a rapid heart rate.

Does Zyrtec raise blood pressure?

For allergy sufferers with heart disease, medicines such as Allegra, Zyrtec or Claritin should be safe. However, medicines containing decongestants — including Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D — could increase your blood pressure and heart rate or interfere with your heart medication.

Who should not take Zyrtec?

You should not use Zyrtec-D 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 hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril).

Is Zyrtec safe to take everyday?

Is cetirizine (Zyrtec) safe to take every day? Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is safe to take every day if you have allergy symptoms on a daily basis. If you don't have allergy symptoms every day, you can take it as needed on days when these symptoms bother you.

Can Zyrtec cause heart flutters?

A decongestant eases congestion by constricting the blood vessels in your nasal passages. This dries up nasal mucus. But these medications can also abnormally stimulate the heart and blood vessels throughout the body. “This can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, or skipped beats.

What is the best antihistamine for the elderly?

So what can older adults safely take for allergy relief? Wozniak: Newer antihistamines such as Claritin® (loratadine) and Allegra® (fexofenadine) tend to be safer and better tolerated.

How many days in a row can you take Benadryl?

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with diphenhydramine does not improve, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash. Do not use diphenhydramine for longer than 2 weeks to treat sleep problems, or longer than 7 days to treat cold or allergy symptoms.

Can long term use of Benadryl cause heart problems?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that taking higher than recommended doses of the common over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death.

Why is Benadryl not recommended for over 65?

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and hydroxyzine are common examples of anticholinergic medications that are not cleared as well from the system in older people. This can lead to confusion, dry mouth, and constipation.

Is it harmful to take Benadryl daily?

Benadryl is recommended only as a short-term treatment for people with symptoms of allergies or other conditions that the drug treats. If you take Benadryl long term, you may develop long-term side effects of the medication.

Is it OK to take Benadryl every night?

Is it safe to take diphenhydramine every night? You should not take diphenhydramine every night. While it may be helpful during limited periods of insomnia, your body will build up a tolerance for the medication over time, and it will no longer have the desired effect.

Can Zyrtec damage kidneys?

In general, anti-histamines do not cause kidney problems. Some, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can cause retention of urine in your bladder. Others such as Claritin and Zyrtec are generally very safe.

Can Zyrtec cause liver damage?

Cetirizine and levocetirizine use are not generally associated with liver enzyme elevations, but have been linked to rare instances of clinically apparent liver injury.

Does Zyrtec cause dementia?

Diphenhydramine is classified as an anticholinergic drug, and a study of this class of drug found that increased use is associated with an up to 54% increased risk of dementia [2].

Is Zyrtec the same as Benadryl?

Zyrtec and Benadryl are both antihistamines that help relieve allergy symptoms. Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine and tends to cause more side effects. Zyrtec is a second-generation antihistamine and causes fewer side effects.

Can Zyrtec help with anxiety?

Most antihistamines are known to cause drowsiness during the day. This may be a problem for people who operate heavy machinery or otherwise have to remain alert. These drugs also aren't effective for severe anxiety or depression, and they're not a long-term treatment for any anxiety disorder.

Who should not take Benadryl?

Benadryl shouldn't be used during the last two weeks of pregnancy. This is due to a risk of eye disease in the newborn. If you're pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking Benadryl. Your doctor may want to evaluate your symptoms to determine the safest treatment.

Is Benadryl safe with high blood pressure?

by Drugs.com

First-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine are generally considered safe in healthy adults and unlikely to raise blood pressure when taken alone.

Does Benadryl cause dementia?

Evidence Summary

Long-term use of anticholinergic drugs is associated with increased dementia risk. Potential harm to the brain: Long-term anticholinergic use has been associated with increased dementia risk; diphenhydramine can impair many cognitive functions including memory.

What is the best antihistamine for someone with high blood pressure?

Look for labels with the letter “D” in the name

The basic version is mainly for classic allergy symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing – the only medicinal ingredient they contain is called an antihistamine. Examples of these are Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec. These will not affect your blood pressure at all.