Reactine Side Effects

Reactine is a brand name for the antihistamine cetirizine, used to treat hay fever and other allergies. Prescribed in Canada, the drug is the equivalent to Zyrtec in the United States. Reactine relieves symptoms including runny nose, sneezing and watery and itchy eyes, as well as some allergic skin conditions, such as hives.

Common Side Effects

• The most common side effects associated with Reactine include coughing, dry mouth, fatigue, nosebleeds, stomach pain and throat irritation.

Drowsiness

• Although Reactine is less likely to cause drowsiness than most other antihistamines, a small percentage of people do experience this side effect.

Serious Side Effects

• Rare but serious side effects should be addressed by a doctor. These include difficult or painful urination, and heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat.

Allergic Reaction

• Some people have an allergic reaction to this medication, with symptoms of rash or hives, difficulty breathing, throat closing or mouth swelling.

Drug Interactions

• Reactine interacts with several other drugs, including alcohol, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, narcotic pain medications and other antihistamines.