Can You Mix Alcohol with Antihistamines?

Antihistamines are medications commonly used to treat allergy symptoms like allergic rhinitis, hay fever, skin rashes, and upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold. They are available as both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Like all medications, antihistamines can cause side effects. You should be aware of certain precautions to use these allergy medications safely. In particular, you should be mindful of the dangers of mixing alcohol and antihistamines because these two substances can cause similar side effects.

Please continue reading to learn whether it is okay to consume alcoholic drinks while taking Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl, Allegra, and other commonly used antihistamines.

What Are Antihistamines? 

Antihistamines are drugs used to treat allergic reactions to insect bites and food; seasonal allergies caused by pollen; and perennial allergic rhinitis caused by dust, mold, pet dander, and other common allergens. When these allergens enter your body, your immune system mistakenly identifies them as dangerous and releases chemicals to support the body’s ability to fight them off. 

One of these chemicals is called histamine. The histamine release triggers symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, swelling, and hives. Antihistamines are drugs that bind to H1 histamine receptors. They prevent histamine from binding to its receptors to produce its effects. That’s why antihistamines are also called H1 blockers. By blocking the action of histamine, antihistamines relieve allergy symptoms.

What Are the Types of Antihistamines

First-generation antihistamines are the older class of this drug that can cause excessive drowsiness. Second-generation antihistamines are the newer agents that are less likely to cause sleepiness. Some examples include:

First-Generation Antihistamines (H-1 Blockers)

• Brompheniramine (Children’s Dimetapp Cold).

• Clemastine (Dayhist, Tavist).

• Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton).

• Cyproheptadine (Periactin).

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

• Dexchlorpheniramine Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).

• Doxylamine (Tylenol Cold and Cough Nighttime, Vicks NyQuil).

• Phenindamine (Nolahist).

• Hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax).

Second-Generation Antihistamines (H-1 Blockers)

• Azelastine (Astelin).

• Cetirizine (Zyrtec).

• Loratadine (Claritin).

• Fexofenadine (Allegra).

• Desloratadine (Clarinex).

Mixing Alcohol With Antihistamines

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), mixing alcohol with antihistamines can lead to serious side effects, such as:

• Increased drowsiness 

• Dizziness 

• Blurred vision 

• Double vision 

• Trouble concentrating 

• Impaired motor control 

• An increased risk of overdose 

In other words, alcohol can intensify some of the side effects of antihistamines. Sleepiness, poor concentration, and decreased motor skills can put you at risk of serious injuries, falls, and motor vehicle accidents if you are driving. 

Note: In addition to antihistamines, alcohol can also interact with anti-seizure drugs, certain antibiotics, and medications used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including anxiety, depression, angina, arthritis, ADHD, diabetes, enlarged prostate, heartburn, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, nausea, motion sickness, and insomnia.

What Happens If You Mix Antihistamines With Alcohol?

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Consuming alcohol with antihistamines can enhance the drowsiness side effects of antihistamines, leading to extreme sleepiness and impairing your ability to function. This can increase the chances of an injury or accident. Older adults are at an increased risk of these side effects. 

When Is It Okay To Mix Antihistamines With Alcohol?

The older class of antihistamines (first-generation) are more likely to cause drowsiness and other side effects compared to second-generation ones. Therefore, you should avoid alcohol completely if you are on a first-generation antihistamine. 

Second-generation antihistamines are less likely to cause problems when mixed with alcohol as they are less likely to cause drowsiness. But it should still be avoided if possible. 

Another exception to the rule is if someone has a severe allergic reaction after they’ve been drinking alcohol. This situation may be a medical emergency, and an antihistamine is deemed appropriate and necessary. You should call 911 or take the person to the nearest emergency room for evaluation by healthcare professionals if the person experiences hives, swelling of the face or tongue, and difficulty breathing.

Can You Drink Alcohol With Non-Drowsy Antihistamines?

As noted, these newer antihistamines are less likely to cause sleepiness. So, mixing Claritin, Zyrtec D, and other antihistamines that are non-drowsy with alcohol is relatively safer. However, each person’s reaction to a medicine can be different. You should wait and see how an antihistamine affects you before drinking alcohol. Avoid alcohol if you are already drowsy from the medicine, especially if you’re doing activities that require your full attention, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.

What Happens When You Mix Benadryl And Alcohol?

Benadryl is a first-generation antihistamine with sedative effects. Mixing Benadryl and alcohol can cause extreme drowsiness and impaired motor control. Therefore, it’s best to avoid mixing these two substances.

Note: An antihistamine like Benadryl does not clear completely from the body for two days. However, its prominent effects only last for about four to six hours. So, you don’t have to wait too long to enjoy an alcoholic beverage.

Is It Okay To Drink Alcohol With Cetirizine?

Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is a second-generation (non-drowsy) antihistamine commonly used to treat seasonal allergies. Combining alcohol and cetirizine is unlikely to cause severe drowsiness. However, cetirizine can make some people feel sleepy. Therefore, it is advisable to wait and see how your body reacts to cetirizine before drinking alcohol. You should also avoid driving or doing anything that requires your complete concentration until you know how this antihistamine affects you.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Claritin?

Similar to Zyrtec, Claritin is also a second-generation antihistamine. Unlike first-generation antihistamines, which have a higher risk of sedation with alcohol, it is generally safe for most healthy adults to take Claritin daily without cutting out alcohol completely. Keep in mind that moderation is always key. 

If mixing Claritin and alcohol is still a concern for you, instead of antihistamines, you can talk to a health care professional about using nasal corticosteroids (Nasonex, Flonase) as alternative treatment options for seasonal allergies. Nasal corticosteroids relieve congestion without causing drowsiness. However, remember that nasal corticosteroids only provide local relief from symptoms such as a stuffy nose and irritation. 

To sum up, it is generally safe to use alcohol and Claritin together, but you can also consider nasal corticosteroids to treat your allergies. However, only health professionals can decide whether nasal corticosteroids are right for you.

Can You Sleep With Antihistamine and Alcohol?

Both alcohol and antihistamines can cause drowsiness and may help you sleep. However, you should not use this combination to treat ongoing sleep problems.

Special Considerations 

Other Sources of Alcohol

In addition to alcoholic beverages, alcohol is also present in many other products such as mouthwashes, kombucha, and other fermented drinks, and some liquid medicines. You should read labels carefully and use any alcohol-containing products with caution while taking antihistamines.

Alcohol Use Disorder

If you are struggling with a mental health disorder, such as alcohol abuse or other behavioral health conditions, it’s important to seek professional medical advice from licensed medical professionals. Effective treatments are available for recovery from substance use.

It’s also important to check with your healthcare professional about which allergy medication is safe to take if you continue to consume alcoholic drinks. As mentioned above, mixing antihistamines and central nervous system depressants like alcohol can lead to serious problems with thinking, judgment, and motor skills. 

Long-Term Effects

Excessive alcohol use is linked to a wide range of chronic health conditions, including changes in mood and behavior, problems with thinking and memory, high blood pressure, heart rhythm abnormalities, stroke, liver damage, pancreatitis, and certain types of cancers.

Antihistamines can cause adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, dry eyes, blurred vision, double vision, low blood pressure, fast heartbeat, headache, problems with urination, and constipation.

What Should You Avoid While Taking Antihistamines?

Here are some precautions you should take while using an antihistamine:

• Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), glaucoma, epilepsy, or an enlarged prostate gland.

• Give your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider a complete list of all your other medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and natural or herbal products. This can help avoid harmful interactions between your allergy medicine, other medications, and alcohol.

• Follow the instructions on the package label or medication prescription carefully. Don't take more antihistamines than recommended.

• Don't drive or perform any activities that require focus until you know how antihistamine medications affect you.

• Alcohol can worsen certain side effects of most antihistamines. It is best to avoid mixing alcoholic drinks with antihistamines, especially first-generation (older) antihistamines.

• Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice, apple juice, or orange juice while taking certain antihistamines can affect how these drugs work. Ask a qualified healthcare provider for advice if this is a concern.

• Tell your healthcare professional if you're pregnant or breastfeeding before taking an antihistamine.

Medical Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk to your doctor for further information about mixing an alcoholic drink with an antihistamine drug.