Plain Zyrtec (cetirizine) or Claritin (loratadine) is not on the Adderall label's list of drugs you must not take, but check with your prescriber or pharmacist before your first dose: MedlinePlus names cetirizine and loratadine among allergy medicines not to start on Adderall without talking to your healthcare provider. The only antihistamine note on the Adderall label is that amphetamines may counteract the sedative effect of antihistamines. Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D are a bigger question, because they add the decongestant pseudoephedrine, and their labels say to ask a doctor first if you have high blood pressure or heart disease. Never take Adderall or a -D product if you take an MAOI or stopped one in the last 2 weeks.
What is in Zyrtec, Claritin, and their -D versions?
Plain Zyrtec and plain Claritin each have 1 active ingredient, an antihistamine. The -D versions add pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant. That second ingredient is what changes the answer when you take Adderall.
Adderall is a prescription mix of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Store-brand allergy pills can look different, so read the active ingredients in the Drug Facts on your own box.
- Zyrtec Allergy (per tablet): cetirizine HCl 10 mg, once a day, no more than 1 tablet in 24 hours
- Claritin (per tablet): loratadine 10 mg, 1 tablet a day, no more than 1 in 24 hours
- Zyrtec-D (per tablet): cetirizine HCl 5 mg plus pseudoephedrine HCl 120 mg, 1 tablet every 12 hours, no more than 2 in 24 hours
- Claritin-D 12 Hour (per tablet): loratadine 5 mg plus pseudoephedrine sulfate 120 mg, 1 tablet every 12 hours, no more than 2 in 24 hours
What does the Adderall label say about allergy pills?
The Adderall prescribing label has a drug interactions table. Its entry for antihistamines says: amphetamines may counteract the sedative effect of antihistamines. It does not tell you to avoid them.
MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine's drug guide, is more cautious. It lists allergy medicines, naming diphenhydramine, loratadine, fexofenadine, chlorpheniramine and cetirizine, among nonprescription products that may interact with dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It says not to start any of them while taking it without discussing it with your healthcare provider.
The plain Zyrtec and Claritin labels do not mention stimulants or MAOIs. So the safe step is short: ask your prescriber or pharmacist once, tell them which product you mean, and then follow the box directions.
Will Zyrtec make me drowsy if I take Adderall?
It might. The Zyrtec label says drowsiness may occur, and that alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers can make it worse. The NHS says cetirizine seems more likely to make you sleepy than loratadine or fexofenadine. The Claritin label says taking more than directed may cause drowsiness.
The Adderall label says amphetamines may counteract the sedative effect of antihistamines. That does not cancel the Zyrtec label's warnings: it still says to be careful driving or using machinery, and to avoid alcohol.
Do not take Zyrtec and Claritin together, or add another antihistamine such as diphenhydramine to either. The NHS says not to take 2 antihistamines together unless your doctor recommends it.
Can I take Zyrtec-D or Claritin-D with Adderall?
Ask your prescriber first. Neither -D label names Adderall, but both carry warnings that overlap with what Adderall does.
The Adderall label says CNS stimulants raise blood pressure, by about 2 to 4 mm Hg on average, and heart rate, by about 3 to 6 beats per minute, and that some people have larger increases. The Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D labels say to ask a doctor before use if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, or trouble urinating from an enlarged prostate.
Both -D labels also say to stop and ask a doctor if you get nervous, dizzy or sleepless. MedlinePlus lists nervousness as an Adderall side effect, and says Adderall can cause trouble falling or staying asleep. If you take both, it may be hard to tell which one is causing these.
- Look at the name: a -D product has pseudoephedrine. For other cold and sinus products, check the Drug Facts for a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine
- Do not double up: do not add Sudafed or another decongestant to Zyrtec-D or Claritin-D
- Plain is simpler: if a stuffy nose is not your main symptom, ask whether plain Zyrtec or Claritin is enough
What is the MAOI rule?
MAOIs are certain prescription drugs for depression, psychiatric or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease, as the -D labels put it. The Adderall label says not to take Adderall with an MAOI or within 14 days of stopping one, because the combination can cause a hypertensive crisis, a dangerous spike in blood pressure. It names linezolid and IV methylene blue as MAOIs too.
The Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D labels say do not use if you take a prescription MAOI, or for 2 weeks after stopping it. If you do not know whether a drug you take is an MAOI, both labels say to ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking the product.
When should you get care?
In an emergency, call 911Call 911 if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. MedlinePlus says to get emergency help for these on Adderall.
Call 911 if someone collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be woken up after taking these medicines.
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 if you took more than prescribed or more than the label allows, or a child took any of these by accident.
Call your doctor the same day if you have a fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat. If you get nervous, dizzy or cannot sleep after adding a -D product, stop it and ask your doctor, as its label says.
If you took Adderall or a -D product while on an MAOI or within 2 weeks of stopping one, call your doctor or pharmacist now.
Stop the allergy medicine and get medical help right away if you have an allergic reaction to it, as its label says.
How our AI doctor decides when to send you to care ›Who should ask a doctor before any of these?
These come from the Zyrtec, Claritin, and -D labels and from MedlinePlus. Tell your prescriber about any allergy medicine you add, so it is on your record.
- Children: plain Zyrtec and Claritin are labeled for ages 6 and up, and the -D versions for 12 and up. Younger children: ask a doctor
- Liver or kidney disease: all 4 labels say ask a doctor, who may change the dose
- Heart problems or high blood pressure: MedlinePlus says to tell your doctor about these before Adderall, and the -D labels say ask before use
- Pregnant or breastfeeding: ask a health professional. The Zyrtec label says it is not recommended while breastfeeding
- Sedatives or tranquilizers: the Zyrtec labels say ask a doctor or pharmacist first
- Adults 65 and over: the Zyrtec and Zyrtec-D labels say ask a doctor
Common questions
Can I take Zyrtec with Adderall?
Plain Zyrtec is not on the Adderall label's list of drugs to avoid, but MedlinePlus says not to start cetirizine on Adderall without talking to your healthcare provider. The label's only antihistamine note is that amphetamines may counteract antihistamine drowsiness. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist once, then follow the box directions.
Is Claritin better than Zyrtec with Adderall?
Neither label compares them for people on Adderall. The NHS says cetirizine seems more likely to make you sleepy than loratadine. Both are once-a-day pills, and MedlinePlus lists both among allergy medicines to discuss with your provider first.
Can I take Zyrtec-D with Adderall?
Ask your prescriber first. Zyrtec-D adds pseudoephedrine, and its label says ask a doctor before use if you have high blood pressure or heart disease. The Adderall label says stimulants raise blood pressure and heart rate, and the Zyrtec-D label says to stop and ask a doctor if you get nervous, dizzy or sleepless.
Does Adderall stop Zyrtec from working?
The labels do not say so. The Adderall label says amphetamines may counteract the sedative effect of antihistamines, which is about drowsiness, not allergy relief. If your allergies are not controlled, ask a doctor or pharmacist what to try instead of taking more.
Can my child take Zyrtec with Adderall?
Ask your child's doctor or pharmacist first. Plain Zyrtec and Claritin are labeled for ages 6 and up, and Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D for 12 and up. Give only the dose on the label for your child's age.
Pymander is not a replacement for a physician and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.