Compare Zyrtec vs. Nyquil Cold And Flu
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats allergy symptoms.
Zyrtec (cetirizine) can help you with some allergy symptoms without making you very drowsy.
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3.8/ 5 average rating with 1232 reviewsforZyrtec
Relieves cold and flu symptoms, and helps you sleep.
Nyquil Cold And Flu (Acetaminophen / Dextromethorphan / Doxylamine) is a useful combination medicine that relieves cold and flu symptoms and will help you sleep. Make sure you really need all of its ingredients.
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3.8/ 5 average rating with 1188 reviewsforNyquil Cold And Flu
Upsides
- Zyrtec (cetirizine) works to treat sneezing and runny nose, and causes less sedation compared to Benadryl.
- Works well to also treat hives and itchy skin.
- Zyrtec (cetirizine) is available over the counter without a prescription. It comes as a tablet, liquid, and quick-dissolving tablet.
- It can provide relief of allergy symptoms for both kids and adults.
- Zyrtec (cetirizine) has few drug interactions with other medicines.
- Most people don't get any side effects from Zyrtec (cetirizine).
- Nyquil Cold And Flu (Acetaminophen / Dextromethorphan / Doxylamine) is a combination medicine that relieves multiple cold symptoms. It's good to use if you have watery eyes, a cough, fever, and pain.
- The cough medicine (dextromethorphan) works well and has very few side effects.
- The pain reliever (acetaminophen) is easier on your stomach and has fewer drug interactions than other pain medications like aspirin or ibuprofen.
- The antihistamine (doxylamine) will help you sleep.
Downsides
- Although it works fast, Zyrtec (cetirizine)'s effectiveness wears off for some people over time.
- Zyrtec (cetirizine) can make you a little more sleepy compared to Allegra or Claritin.
- Some people find that other more sedating antihistamines, like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), are more effective for them than Zyrtec (cetirizine).
- If you don't really need all of the medications in this combination, you're taking extra medicine and might have extra side effects for no reason.
- You shouldn't use it if you have high blood pressure.
- To avoid hurting your liver, you have to keep track of the total amount of acetaminophen (APAP) you're taking since it's a very common ingredient in pain and cold/flu combination medicines.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Chewable tablet
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Pill
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$3.00
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$8.61
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Reviews
1232 reviews so far
76%
saidit'sworth it
47%
saiditworked well
7%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zyrtec (cetirizine)?
Leave a review1188 reviews so far
83%
saidit'sworth it
42%
saiditworked well
7%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Nyquil Cold And Flu (Acetaminophen / Dextromethorphan / Doxylamine)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Zyrtec (cetirizine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
The Nyquil Cold And Flu (Acetaminophen / Dextromethorphan / Doxylamine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Increased side effects in the elderly
- Age 65 or older
- Impaired alertness
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- History of liver or kidney conditions
- History of liver or kidney disease
- Liver damage
- Drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day
- Taking with other Tylenol-containing medicines
- History of liver disease
- Serotonin syndrome
- Using other medications that affect serotonin
- Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking with other medicines that make you less alert
- Antihistamine side effects
- Age 65 years or older
- Glaucoma
- Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)