SBW asked
Is it safe to take Zyrtec with lithium?
At a glance
- There is no known interaction between lithium and Zyrtec (cetirizine).
- Due to the narrow therapeutic index of lithium, it is important to look into all potential drug interactions.
Answer
There are no known interactions between Zyrtec (cetirizine) and lithium. They are considered safe to take together.
If you are interested in looking into other potential interactions, be sure to use our free 'Drug Interaction Checker'. Additionally, you can see all known interactions with lithium here:
About Lithium
Lithium is a cation, similar to sodium and potassium. For medicinal use, it is administered as the carbonate (e.g. lithium carbonate) or citrate (e.g lithium citrate) salt. The citrate salt is more water-soluble than the carbonate salt.
Lithium is used for the treatment of a variety of psychiatric indications, including:
- Bipolar Disorder
- Manic episodes
- Refractory depression
- Reducing the risk of suicide in patients with mood disorders
Although lithium can be very effective, it requires close monitoring due to its narrow therapeutic range and risk of toxicity. Lithium toxicity is closely related to blood lithium concentrations and can occur at doses close to therapeutic concentrations.
Blood lithium concentrations, electrolytes, and kidney function need to be routinely checked. In addition, it is important to know that common conditions can cause lithium toxicity. These include:
- Urinary retention
- Low sodium levels
- Dehydration
- Infection
It is very important to be aware of potentially significant drug interactions that can affect lithium levels and you should always check with your pharmacist or doctor prior to taking any new medication with lithium.
Having said that, there are no known interactions between Zyrtec and lithium.
About Zyrtec
Zyrtec (cetirizine) is a "second-generation" antihistamine, indicated for the treatment and prevention of:
- Perennial allergies
- Seasonal allergies
- Urticaria (hives)
At indicated doses (5mg and 10mg), Zyrtec has a higher incidence of sedation than other second-generation antihistamines, such as Allegra (fexofenadine) and Claritin (loratadine).
Nevertheless, it still causes less sedation than older, first-generation antihistamines such as Benadryl.
Zyrtec is taken once daily, and has an onset of action around one hour. It may be taken with or without food.
References
- ClinicalKey: Lithium Monograph. ClinicalKey (Subscription Required)
- Lithium in the prevention of suicidal behavior and all-cause mortality in patients with mood disorders: a systematic review of randomized trials. PubMed
- Lithium in the Treatment of Mood Disorders. NEJM
