Can you take Tylenol and Zyrtec together?

In this article:

• Can you take Tylenol with Zyrtec?
• Tylenol and Zyrtec interactions
• How long after taking Zyrtec can I take Tylenol?
• Can I take Tylenol and other allergy medicines at the same time?

In this article

• Can you take Tylenol with Zyrtec?
• Tylenol and Zyrtec interactions
• How long after taking Zyrtec can I take Tylenol?
• Can I take Tylenol and other allergy medicines at the same time?

People with pain and allergy symptoms like sneezing and coughing, headache pain, nasal congestion, and sinus pressure often want to know if they can combine pain medication with allergy medication. Every medication combination is different, but when it comes to whether you can take Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) together, the answer is yes.

Although Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) are safe to take together, it’s important to keep in mind dosing, side effects, medication interactions, and whether different populations need to be more cautious with this medication combination than others.

Here, we’ll review all the specifics of combining Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) with expert input.

Can you take Tylenol with Zyrtec?

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an over-the-counter and prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain and fever. It is sold on its own and in products that combine it with other medications, including medications that treat allergies.

Zyrtec (cetirizine) is an antihistamine approved by the FDA to treat allergies with respiratory symptoms, like runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy eyes, and itching in the nose and throat.

Can you take Tylenol and Zyrtec together? Is this a safe combination? Hedva Barenholtz Levy, Pharm.D., and director at HbL PharmaConsulting, says combining Tylenol and Zyrtec is safe. But there is one caveat. “I would only recommend this combination if the patient has symptoms that warrant each of these medications,” she says.

Levy emphasizes that it’s important for people to recognize the generic names of Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Zyrtec (cetirizine). These drugs are often present in over-the-counter medications that combine multiple ingredients. Mixing combination products is not always safe. For example, Tylenol is often packaged with multi-symptom cold and flu medications, which may not be safe when combined with Zyrtec. To clarify, it is not the Tylenol itself but the other ingredients in multi-symptom products that may pose a risk when combined with Zyrtec.

Can you take Tylenol with Zyrtec Children’s Allergy?

If you have a child showing signs of pain, allergy, or fever, you might want to know if they can safely take Zyrtec and Tylenol together. Andrew Youssouf, MD, medical director of Ikon Recovery, says that in most cases, the answer is yes.

“Tylenol and Zyrtec can be taken together safely for children, as long as the proper dosages based on age and weight are followed,” he says. “Make sure to use the forms specifically for children and follow the recommended doses on the packaging or from a healthcare provider.”

The Academy of American Pediatrics notes that Tylenol should not be given to children under 3 months old. Additionally, Zyrtec is not FDA approved for children under six months old for over-the-counter use..

In general, the use of medications in young children does necessitate an extra layer of caution, says Levy. She shares the following tips for giving Tylenol and Zyrtec together to kids:

• Always follow the dosing guidelines on the package label.
• When using liquid formulations with kids, use the correct measuring tools—don’t use household spoons to measure.
• Tylenol, in particular, comes in various formulations and is included in many products. Always read labels and instructions carefully.
• For children, multi-ingredient Tylenol products with Zyrtec should not be combined. 
• Contact your child’s healthcare provider if you have further questions or concerns.

Benefits of taking Tylenol and Zyrtec together

Tylenol and Zyrtec can really help when you are dealing with a combination of allergy and pain symptoms, such as nasal congestion and headache. If you are experiencing fever along with allergy symptoms, this combination may also be helpful.

The main benefit of combining Tylenol with Zyrtec is that they can address multiple symptoms simultaneously, says Sazan Sylejmani, Pharm.D., pharmacist at Westmont Pharmacy. “Tylenol reduces fever and relieves minor pain, while Zyrtec blocks histamines to decrease allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes,” he describes. “By using them together, you get broader symptom relief.”

Tylenol and Zyrtec interactions

Tylenol and Zyrtec can be used together safely when taken at the proper doses for your age, says Dr. Youssouf. But it’s important to be aware of any potential side effects. “These can include nausea, abdominal pain, headaches from Tylenol, and drowsiness, dry mouth, or dizziness from Zyrtec,” he describes.

Dr. Youssouf advises that people with the following conditions should be cautious before combining these medications and speak to a healthcare professional first.

• People with severe liver or kidney disease
• People with alcohol dependency
• People with known allergies to either medication

Levy says that the main adverse effect of Tylenol to watch for is liver issues. “The biggest concern (danger) is liver damage (toxicity) from ingesting too much acetaminophen in 24 hours,” she says.

Zyrtec tends to have more noticeable side effects than Tylenol, which may include sleepiness, excessive fatigue, stomach upset, and dry mouth. According to Levy, the most pressing concern with Zyrtec is not when you combine it with Tylenol but when you mix it with other substances. 

“The main danger with cetirizine is taking it in combination with other medicines or alcohol, which can exacerbate the drowsiness/sedation potential,” she describes.

How long after taking Zyrtec can I take Tylenol?

You can take Zyrtec at the same time or close to one another, Levy assures. “You can take acetaminophen and cetirizine at the same time; there is no interaction,” she says. Sylejmani concurs, saying, “It is considered safe to take Tylenol and Zyrtec concurrently or within a few hours of each other.”

Whenever you take Zyrtec and Tylenol together, it’s important to stick to the following dosing guidelines for your age:

• Adults and teens aged 13 and up can take up to 1000 mg of Tylenol every six hours or 650 mg every four hours. The maximum daily dose of Tylenol (acetaminophen) should not exceed 4000 mg to prevent liver damage.
• Adults and kids aged 12 and up can take 5 to 10 mg of Zyrtec orally once per day.

• Children’s Tylenol and Zyrtec often come in liquid and chewable forms and are taken at different dosages than adults. It’s important to contact your pediatrician for medical advice about how best to give these medications to your child.
•  People with kidney and liver disease should speak to a doctor before taking Tylenol and Zyrtec together. 
• People over 65 should talk to their doctor about the dosing of these two medications. Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to either Zyrtec or Tylenol should not take these.

Can I take Tylenol and other allergy medicines at the same time?

Zyrtec isn’t the only allergy medication people are interested in taking with Tylenol. The good news is that taking most allergy medications with Tylenol is safe.

“Tylenol can also be used safely with other common over-the-counter allergy medications like Claritin, Allegra, or Xyzal,” Sylejmani says. “As with any medication, you want to avoid taking more than one product with the same active ingredient, so check the labels.”

Sylejmani says that prescription medication may provide better relief than over-the-counter medications like Zyrtec if your allergy symptoms are severe or persistent. “You should talk to your doctor about other options,” he advises.

Dr. Youssouf says that Tylenol is usually safe when combined with other allergy medications, such as Claritin, Allegra, or Benadryl, but you should get medical advice from your doctor before combining these. He says that careful attention should be paid if you are taking an allergy or cold medication that contains a decongestant like pseudoephedrine, as pseudoephedrine can potentially cause high blood pressure.

RELATED: Does Zyrtec raise blood pressure?

“Always prioritize safety when choosing the best combination of medications for your specific symptoms,” he concludes.