Zyrtec vs Hydroxizine

[sailawaygrl]

I have been taking hydroxizine for years and lately it isn't helping me sleep at all, in fact I feel very restless every night. With allergy season really going in full force here in the 3rd worst city for allergies I decided to take zyrtex today. Now my bladder seems to be really mad at me. I honestly don't usually have changes like this much. I have pain daily which is reasonably controlled by pain meds. This isn't good though! It has got to be the zyrtec, strange thing is that before I was ever given hydroxiz I read that zyrtec essentially becomes the same med when ingested. Right now my bladder says differently.

I don't know if I would be ok to take my hydroxizine now or not. Zyrtec is 24 hours and I only took it 5 hours ago.

This is going to be a long night I am afraid. I don't know what to do other than suffer through this.

Any ideas? Know if I can take both? I am going to check on drugs.com for interactions right now.

Sandra

[cmclien]

Hey Sandra
Hope you're feeling better today. I have read the same thing, and my pcp told me when I had that allergic reaction to the nori that they were the same thing. I had asked if I should take benadryl or claritin or zyrtec or what and she said if I had claritin at home that was fine as they were all the same, some stronger then others. Not sure what you decided to do but I wouldn't think you should take both or if you do maybe cut that hydroxyzine dose back from what you normally take. Maybe it wasn't the zyrtec but a filler?

[sailawaygrl]

Thanks for responding. I waited until 8 am to take my hydroxyzine and within 30 minutes the terrible pain subsided. I was really questioning whether or not the hydroxyzine was helping me but boy do I know now. I'm sure that doing my little experiment during allergy season was a bad choice. I am usually not sensitive to fillers and such so I really think it was just the difference in the med.

I am exhausted but sure am glad that is over now. Still hurting some but nothing like last night.

Sandra

[earthlady]

Since I am so sensitive to meds I researched the chemical make up of atarax, zyrtec, and claritin. Atarax is a first generation antihistamine and Zyrtec and Claritin are second generation anitihistamines. There is a difference in that the second generation anti's are non drowsy meds and can create agitation and insomnia in some people. There apparently is a difference although slight- but in sensitive people (like me)it can make a big difference in how I react to them. I was wondering why Benadryl made me sleepy and Zyrtec gave me insomnia. Now I know. Doctors think they are all the same but actually they can be quite different.

[Mothergoose]

I think and I certinatly do not kow this for sure, benadryl is a short actting med 4-6 hours where the other ones are 12-24 hours meds. I think since I have so many side effects from longer actng meds that it has something to do with what ever they use to make them long acting that cause me problems and the actual antihistamine are actually probably pretty close to the samething.

I have no scientific evedence of this just my observation of what happens to me when taking long acting meds.

MG

[Tuckersmom]

I take 50 mgs of Atarax at bedtime every day. If my allergies are flaring, I take Zyrtec in the mornings. I don't cut my dose of Atarax if I've had to take the Zyrtec, and have not experienced any problems.

[sailawaygrl]

Saw my Dr today where he kindly pointed out to me that my dose of hydroxyzine is 100mg (50 when not in allergy season) and the Zyrtec I took was only 10mg! DUH! Didn't think of that at all. He also confirmed what I thought, once hydroxyzine goes through the liver it becomes Zyrtec. So, he said I could take the zyrtec in the morning and the other at night. Just like Cathy said. I am always worried about changing ANYTHING on my own.

I had a great Dr's visit and am starting neurontin this week and hoping that it helps me! I have never tried it so I am really hoping for good results.

Sandra

[Tuckersmom]

I hope the Neurontin gives you some relief! And I'm glad that you were able to confirm what I said with your doctor!