Harm Reduction Cetirizine as sleep aid?

[ComfortablyNumb95]

as the title says can cetirizine (it's an anti-histamine like Benadryl) be used as a sleep aid? how many mgs should I take?

 

[QUARE]

Cetirizine lack of Anticholinergic effect and probably doesnt cause much sedation.

 

[bunge]

The sedation is mild at best. 2nd generation anti-histamines (like cetirizine) were developed to counter the problem of drowsiness caused by 1st generation anti-his.
If you have even a vague tolerance to any type of cns depressant then cetirizine will be useless for sleep.
Diphenhydramine, promethazine or hydroxyzine are much better as sleep aids.

 

[bingey]

^AMEN.

prometh is probably the most sedating but you might get weird side effects with long-term use (it was the inspiration for thorazine)

 

[MichelJacques]

As well as not being anticholinergic, cetirizine does not readily cross the blood brain barrier, likely contributing to its less sedating effects (compared to 1st gen antihistamines).

 

[MagickalKat777]

I don't even find hydroxyzine all that sedating and cetirizine is an active metabolite of hydroxyzine. It won't put you to sleep.

 

[Mr.Scagnattie]

Yeah, while cetirizine is an antihistamine, it has no sedating properties like Diphenhydramine. That's why people like it.. because it provides the benefits of something like Benadryl without making you really tired.

 

[AromaticNitrogen]

Doxylamine works well as an OTC sleep aid in my experience. 25-50mg.

 

[ErgicMergic]

^ Doxylamine is the best OTC for sleep in the US, but its extremely powerful anticholinergic effects cause a dose of over 25mg to be too disgustingly anticholinergic. Start with 12.5mg your first night, which is half of a 25mg blue Unisom sleeptab. Most people, myself included, find the sweet spot for Doxylamine to be 12.5mg.

I would combine a dose of no more than 12.5mg Doxylamine along with melatonin 0.5-1mg, 50mg hydroxyzine, 200-400mg L-Theanine, 50mg Zinc, and 300-600mg Chelated Magnesium for a lengthy and refreshing sleep.

 

[Treefa]

Zyrtec is non-drowsey.

Really Benadryl, Phenergan, Dimetap or whatever would all work better for sleep.

Shit cetirizine might even cause insomnia so watch out. Lol

 

[njirem]

Acutally it is sedating, just not like others like promethazine. I find 20 to 40 mg being helpfull when i need to sleep, definetly better then valerian or crap like that.
Just dont expect miracles, its not a benzo, but handy to have around, its not psychoactive so people please don't try to take gramms of the stuff to see what happens ok?

cetirizine hydrochloride
(se teer' i zeen)
Reactine (CAN), Zyrtec

Pregnancy Category B

Drug class
Antihistamine

Therapeutic actions
Potent histamine (H1) receptor antagonist; inhibits histamine release and eosinophil chemotaxis during inflammation, leading to reduced swelling and decreased inflammatory response

Indications
· Management of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis
· Treatment of chronic, idiopathic urticaria
· Treatment of year-round allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathis urticaria in infants > 6 mo

Contraindications and cautions
· Contraindicated with allergy to any antihistamines, hydroxyzine.
· Use cautiously with narrow-angle glaucoma, stenosing peptic ulcer, symptomatic prostatic hypertrophy, asthmatic attack, bladder neck obstruction, pyloroduodenal obstruction (avoid use or use with caution as condition may be exacerbated by drug effects); lactation.

Available forms
Tablets—5, 10 mg; chewable tablets—5, 10 mg; syrup—5 mg/5 mL

Dosages
ADULTS
5–10 mg daily PO; maximum dose 20 mg/day.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
6 mo–5 yr: 2.5 mg (one-half teaspoon) PO once daily. In children 1 yr and older, may increase to maximum 5 mg daily given as one-half teaspoon q 12 hr; 2–5 yr—one 5 mg chewable tablet per day.
6–11 yr: 5 or 10 mg daily PO.
> 12 yr: Use adult dosage.
PATIENTS WITH HEPATIC OR RENAL IMPAIRMENT
5 mg PO daily.

Pharmacokinetics
Route
Onset
Peak
Duration
Oral
Rapid
1 hr
24 hr

Metabolism: Hepatic; T1/2: 7–10 hr
Distribution: Crosses placenta; enters breast milk
Excretion: Urine and feces

Adverse effects
· CNS: Somnolence, sedation
· CV: Palpitation, edema
· GI: Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation
· Respiratory: Bronchospasm, pharyngitis
· Other: Fever, photosensitivity, rash, myalgia, arthralgia, angioedema

Nursing considerations
CLINICAL ALERT!
Name confusion has occurred between Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Zyprexa (olanzapine); use caution.

Assessment
· History: Allergy to any antihistamines, hydroxyzine; narrow-angle glaucoma, stenosing peptic ulcer, symptomatic prostatic hypertrophy, asthmatic attack, bladder neck obstruction, pyloroduodenal obstruction; lactation
· Physical: Skin color, lesions, texture; orientation, reflexes, affect; vision examination; R, adventitious sounds; prostate palpation; renal function tests

Interventions
· Give without regard to meals.
· Provide syrup form or chewable tablets for pediatric use if needed.
· Arrange for use of humidifier if thickening of secretions, nasal dryness become bothersome; encourage adequate intake of fluids.
· Provide skin care for urticaria.

Teaching points
· Take this drug without regard to meals.
· You may experience these side effects: Dizziness, sedation, drowsiness (use caution if driving or performing tasks that require alertness); thickening of bronchial secretions, dryness of nasal mucosa (humidifier may help).
· Report difficulty breathing, hallucinations, tremors, loss of coordination, irregular heartbeat.

Adverse effects in Italic are most common; those in Bold are life-threatening.

 

[Rybee]

Hi OP - did check our profile but couldn't see where in the world you are from? Sorry to bombard you with questions but it will help:

1) What kind of diet do you have and are there anyy contributing factors as such caffeine, alcohol and sugar consumption, or skipping meals?
2) Are there any other contributing factors such as shift work or any other medical conditions at present?
3) What's your sleep hygiene like? 0 being very poor, 5-6 being average, 10 being very well
4) What kind of sleep problems are you experiencing? Is it mainly falling asleep or maiming unconsciousness whilst asleep?
5) What kind of sleep medications have you taken before? Either OTC or prescription only
6) Are you taking any other medications (need not explain what for if you are uncomfortable in doing so)?
7) Why are you looking at antihistamines?
8 ) Would you consider prescription medications?
9) Are there a particular medication you want to try?
10) Are there a particular medication you want to avoid?

On the whole no, Cetirizine & Loratadine are not very sedating as they do not cross the blood brain tolerance. But please do answer the questions methodically and I'll be able to help you out a lot.

Rybee.