What antihistamine can you take with citalopram? (3 relatively safer anti-allergies) 

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “What antihistamine can you take with citalopram?”. Citalopram is an antidepressant which is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. 

This med can interact with other medications, including antihistamines. This blog will cover some of the safer anti-allergy meds that you can use with citalopram. 

What antihistamine can you take with citalopram?

Antihistamines that can be taken with citalopram include:

• Claritin (Loratadine) 
• Zyrtec (Cetirizine) 
• Allegra (fexofenadine) 

Claritin (Loratadine)

Claritin is a relatively safer antihistamine. There are no known harmful interactions between loratadine and citalopram. However, the combination of these two may make you sleepy or dizzy. 

It works by inhibiting the actions of histamine, which is an allergy mediator in our body and is released as a result of an immune response. However, it is crucial to make sure that you’re not allergic to the medication itself.

It is not recommended to start using any medication without your doctor’s approval. The dose at which you take these meds also play an important role. Make sure you don’t take more than what your healthcare provider has recommended. 

If you accidentally miss a dose and you’re way past the time at which you usually take your dose, it is recommended to drop it and continue with the next dose. 

Overdosing on one or both of these meds can be dangerous. Citalopram can cause serious complications if it is overused. Make sure you take loratadine only if needed and it’s preferred to take it at bedtime. 

One important thing to mention here is that this combination may not work on some people simply because their body can not tolerate it. It is important to start from low dose because it is impossible 

to predict how your body will react once it is exposed to these meds. 

Like every other medication, loratadine is also associated with some side effects, these include:

• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Dizziness 
• Drowsiness 
• Tiredness 
• Headaches
• Blisters in mouth 
• Abdominal pain 
• Weakness
• Nervousness 
• Diarrhoea 
• Redness or itching in eyes

Loratadine is also associated with some serious side effects. These include:

• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Nose bleeds
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.

Make sure you only use this med if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not overuse it and take it as long as your doctor suggests. 

Zyrtec (Cetirizine) 

Zyrtec is also used as an antihistamine while you are on citalopram. It inhibits the effects of an allergic reaction by blocking histamine – 1 (H1) receptors. When these receptors are blocked, the released histamine can not bind with them or produce its effects. 

Cetirizine is considered safe as compared to other antihistamines and experts believe that it does not cause that much drowsiness. However, it may increase Sleepiness when combined with citalopram. It is totally unpredictable how your body will react to this combination. 

Report any unusual side effects right away. Use this combination only when prescribed by your healthcare professional. If you have any underlying condition, your doctor may adjust the dose to limit any possible risk. 

Use them together as long as your doctor has suggested. Do not overuse them. Cetirizine is associated with the following side effects:

• Headaches
• Blisters in mouth 
• Abdominal pain 
• Weakness
• Nervousness 
• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Dizziness 
• Drowsiness 
• Tiredness 

Some serious and rare side effects include:

• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Nose bleeds
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.

Allegra (Fexofenadine) 

Allegra is another safe antihistamine that can be used along with your citalopram. However, it may cause increased drowsiness and dizziness if it’s taken excessively. 

It is preferred to take your anti-allergies at bedtime to avoid any daytime side effects that may impair your mental alertness and make everyday tasks difficult for you. Make sure you only use this combination if prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

Fexofenadine also inhibits histamine, which is an allergy mediator in our body and is released as a result of an immune response. Fexofenadine is associated with the following side effects:

• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Dizziness 
• Drowsiness 
• Tiredness 
• Headaches
• Blisters in mouth 
• Abdominal pain 
• Pain in arms and legs
• Pain in back
• Painful menstruation 
• Coughing

Some serious and rare side effects include:

• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc.
• Nose bleeds
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.

All of the above described antihistamines are proven to be the safer meds by several researchers. Loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine are included in second generation antihistamines. 

A 2000 research review used the term ‘excellent’ for the safety and efficacy of these meds. They are safe to be used in cardiac patients suffering from either coronary artery diseases or congestive heart failure. 

These three are also safe to be used with other prescription medications because they don’t possess that many risks of drug interactions, which explains why they can also be used with meds as tricky as antidepressants. 

However, make sure you use the combination of antidepressants and literally any other medication only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Drug interactions should be an important consideration before taking two or more medicines together. 

Yes, drugs in combination are often used to achieve better therapeutic response but this is not the case with every interaction. Some drugs are highly incompatible with one another. 

They often cancel out each other’s effects or antagonise them. Some drugs are so incompatible that they end up changing the entire chemical composition of one another. 

Some interfere with metabolism or bioavailability (the rate and extent at which the active drug moiety enters systemic circulation/blood). This can lead to drug accumulation in different parts of the body. 

It is always advised to inform your healthcare provider of any medicine you take before getting a new prescription. Your doctor will make sure not to prescribe any such drug which might interfere with those you are already taking. 

There are some other antihistamines that should not be used with citalopram or any other antidepressant. These drugs include Diphenhydramine (benadryl). 

The concomitant use can severely increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, low mental alertness, impaired motor functions, confusion, forgetfulness etc. 

How to ensure the proper use of celexa? 

• Make sure celexa is the right choice of antidepressant for you. Stick to your doctor’s recommended dose. Do not take more or less than that. 
• Ask your doctor before taking celexa if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive or if you’re a breastfeeding mother. 
• If you fail to understand how to use the drug properly or have any other question, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• In case of overdose, immediately reach out to the hospital. Make sure you properly guide them about how much drug you have taken and when. 
• If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if a lot of time has passed and your next dose is near, do not take it. It’s better to skip the missed dose and take the next one.
• Report any problems with bleeding or bruising to your doctor. If you see any unexplained blisters or rashes on your body, or experience any problems with urination, or if you feel changes in your vision, immediately report to your healthcare provider. 
• Keep the bottle away from children and pets. In case of overdose, immediately take them to the hospital. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed the safest Antihistamines to be used with citalopram. Citalopram is an antidepressant which is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. 

We have learned that it is safe to use Loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine with citalopram and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, these drugs may cause increased drowsiness or dizziness. 

However, make sure you use the combination of antidepressants and literally any other medication only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. It is always advised to inform your healthcare provider of any medicine you take before getting a new prescription. 

FAQs: what antihistamine can i take with citalopram

Can you take citalopram with antihistamine?

It is usually preferred to avoid taking antihistamines while you’re being treated with citalopram. However, you can take the following antihistamines if absolutely necessary:

• Claritin (Loratadine) 
• Zyrtec (Cetirizine) 
• Allegra (fexofenadine) 

The above described antihistamines are proven to be the safer meds by several researchers. Loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine are included in second generation antihistamines. A 2000 research review used the term ‘excellent’ for the safety and efficacy of these meds. 

Can I take Claritin with citalopram?

Yes, you can take Claritin with citalopram. Claritin is a relatively safer antihistamine. There are no known harmful interactions between loratadine and citalopram. However, the combination of these two may make you sleepy or dizzy. It works by inhibiting the actions of histamine, which is an allergy mediator in our body and is released as a result of an immune response.

However, it is crucial to make sure that you’re not allergic to the medication itself. It is not recommended to start using any medication without your doctor’s approval.

Is Claritin an antihistamine?

Yes, Claritin is an antihistamine. It works by inhibiting the actions of histamine, which is an allergy mediator in our body and is released as a result of an immune response.

Can I take Zyrtec with citalopram?

Yes, you can take Zyrtec with citalopram. It inhibits the effects of an allergic reaction by blocking histamine – 1 (H1) receptors. When these receptors are blocked, the released histamine can not bind with them or produce its effects. Cetirizine is considered safe as compared to other antihistamines and experts believe that it does not cause that much drowsiness.

Can you drink caffeine with citalopram?

Yes, you can take caffeine while being on citalopram but not too much. The interaction between citalopram and caffeine only exists at higher doses and is associated with the symptoms similar to those of serotonin syndrome, including chills, fever, confusion, muscle twitching, agitation etc. 

What can you not take with citalopram?

• Monoaminoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) 
• Pimozide 
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) 
• Antipsychotics 
• Controlled substances 
• Alcohol 

References 

• E E Philpot. Allergy Asthma Proc (2000) – Safety of second generation antihistamines https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10748947/#:~:text=Loratadine%2C%20cetrizine%2C%20and%20fexofenadine%20all,including%20pediatric%20and%20elderly%20patients.
• Cetirizine (Zyrtec) https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698026.html 
• Loratadine (claritin) https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697038.html 
• Fexofenadine (Allegra) https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697035.html 
• Drug Interactions between citalopram and Zyrtec https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/citalopram-with-zyrtec-679-0-569-286.html
• Drug Interactions between citalopram and Loratadine-D 12 Hour https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/citalopram-with-loratadine-d-12-hour-679-0-1487-18193.html#:~:text=No%20interactions%20were%20found%20between,Always%20consult%20your%20healthcare%20provider.