|  | Conditions Treatments | Allergies

Actions & Side Effects of Zyrtec

Zyrtec is an over-the-counter medication that is used to relieve symptoms of allergies, the common cold and hay fever. It is classified as being an antihistamine and decreases uncomfortable symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and itchiness. Histamine is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body. It functions by reducing histamine's actions within the body. Zyrtec can lead to several possible side effects.

  1. Function

    • Allergies happen when the immune system responds to generally safe substances that do not cause problems for the majority of people. The emission of histamine from various bodily cells can lead to this type of response. Zyrtec works by preventing the natural substance histamine from attaching to its receptors, which results in allergy symptoms occurring. Histamine causes the majority of these symptoms (such as runny nose, hives and sneezing), so blocking its actions can have a dramatic effect. Nasal congestion, however, is not helped by Zyrtec (or any other antihistamines) because it is not caused by histamine.

    Common Side Effects

    • There are a handful of relatively common Zyrtec side effects. These side effects are usually considered to be minor, due to the fact that they usually go away quickly once the body gets used to the medicine. However, if you have any of these side effects and find them to be persistent, or if they get worse with time, you should speak with your doctor about the matter. These common side effects include exhaustion, difficulty sleeping (for children), stomachache (for children), dry mouth and drowsiness.

    Serious Side Effects

    • Serious side effects of Zyrtec are not very common, but are also possible. These side effects can sometimes have dangerous consequences, so it is important to seek emergency medical assistance if you experience any of them. These severe effects are abnormal bleeding or bruising, lingering fatigue, darker colored urine, irregular or rapid heartbeat, passing out, mood or mental changes, extreme dizziness, yellowing of the skin or the eyes (jaundice) and seizures.

    Allergic Reactions

    • Allergic reactions to Zyrtec are uncommon, but also can be potentially harmful. If you notice any symptoms of allergic reaction to this medication, you need to immediately get medical help. Some signs to look out for include chest tightness or heaviness, having problems with breathing, abnormal hoarseness, swelling of the tongue, mouth, lips, or face, hives, itchiness and skin rash.

    Overdose

    • If you are worried that you perhaps might have taken more than the appropriate dosage amount of Zyrtec, you need to immediately get medical assistance. Some symptoms of Zyrtec overdose are feelings of nervousness, anxiety and restlessness and, oftentimes, intense feelings of drowsiness afterwards.

Allergies - Related Articles