Call Now (888) 229-7989
Soba New Jersey Drug & Alcohol Rehab Logo
Client Portal
Verify Insurance

Alcohol and Allergy Medicine: To Mix or Not To Mix?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Po-Chang HsuOctober 25, 2024
Written by
On October 25, 2024

Table of Contents

Key Points

  • First-generation allergy medications such as Benadryl have more side effects, including drowsiness, and are the most likely to interact with alcohol and other medications.
  • Second-generation allergy medications have fewer side effects, but some still exist. All side effects from antihistamines, no matter what generation, can be worsened when combined with alcohol.
  • Combining alcohol and antihistamines is most likely to result in drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, dehydration, and nausea.
  • Women and older adults are more susceptible to alcohol and antihistamine interactions.
  • You should not use antihistamines to treat your allergy symptoms if you are consuming alcohol. There is no determined safe level of alcohol use with antihistamine use.

Alcohol and antihistamines can interact with each other and result in exacerbated side effects from the allergy medication. This can be life-threatening with antihistamines that cause drowsiness, and alcohol can also cause drowsiness. Other potential side effects include dizziness, headaches, and nausea when combining alcohol and allergy medications. To avoid experiencing these potentially dangerous side effects, alcohol consumption and taking allergy medications should not be mixed.

Common Allergy Medications

Allergy medications, also known as antihistamines, are taken to counteract allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, and hives.  

Allergy medicines are categorized as [1]

First Generation: 

  • Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
  • Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) 
  • Vistaril, Atarax (Hydroxyzine)

Second Generation:  

  • Claritin (Loratadine)
  • Clarinex (Desloratadine)
  • Xyxal (Levocetirizine)
  • Zyrtec (Cetirizine)
  • Allegra (Fexofenadine)

 

First-generation allergy medications typically have more side effects than second- or third-generation antihistamines. First-generation antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier. [2]

They cause sedation, drowsiness, fatigue, impaired alertness, concentration, memory, and multitasking. As a result, they can impair learning and test performance in children and the safe operation of machinery and vehicles in adults. First-generation antihistamines should be avoided during pregnancy. 

Second—and third-generation antihistamines are safer as they cause less drowsiness, are longer-acting, have fewer medication interactions, and have lower risks of overdose and death compared to first-generation antihistamines. [3]  However, taking Zyrtec and alcohol or mixing alcohol with any other allergy medication is not recommended.

Common Side Effects of Antihistamines

First-generation antihistamine side effects include: [4] 

  • Drowsiness
  • Reduced coordination and reaction speed
  • Dry mouth and dry eyes
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty urinating and constipation
  • Low blood pressure
  • Mucous thickening in airways

Second and Third-Generation antihistamine side effects include: [5]

  • Headaches
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Drowsiness, if taken in high doses

Antihistamine Overdose

The potential for overdose varies by medication, but first-generation antihistamines are more likely to result in overdose due to their sedative effects.  

Antihistamine overdoses can happen if [6]

  • You take too much antihistamine medication.
  • You take antihistamine medication with another medication that is contraindicated. 
  • You take it with another medication or drug that is hypnotic or sedative (such as sleeping pills or alcohol).
  • You are a child or over the age of sixty-five, which increases one’s risk for an accidental overdose. 

Symptoms of antihistamine overdose include [7]

  • Extreme drowsiness or sleepiness
  • Hallucinations
  • Agitation and irritability 
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Fast heart rate
  • Seizures

 

Antihistamine overdoses can be fatal. If you or a loved one has any of the above symptoms, call 911 and seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Alcohol and Allergy Medicine Interactions

Mixing Alcohol and allergy medications can cause significant side effects. The most common and potentially life-threatening is that of increased drowsiness. Antihistamine overdose symptoms can be worsened when taken with alcohol.  

Drowsiness and Dizziness

First-generation antihistamines, such as Benadryl, are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which is why they have side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and loss of coordination. Alcohol is also a central nervous system depressant with side effects of drowsiness, dizziness, and loss of coordination. Combining these two drugs can exacerbate their side effects and result in life-threatening symptoms. 

While second and third-generation antihistamines are less likely to interact with alcohol, it can still happen. All antihistamines have the potential side effect of drowsiness, and that will be exacerbated if taken with alcohol. Headaches, nausea, and dizziness are also common side effects of all-generation antihistamines that can be worsened with alcohol. 

Dehydration

Antihistamines can cause dehydration; alcohol is a diuretic, increasing urination and increasing the risk of dehydration. Once again, there can be a compounding effect that worsens a side effect, as both alcohol and antihistamines can result in dehydration. Dehydration symptoms include [8]

  • Extreme thirst
  • Less frequent urination
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion

 

Mild to moderate dehydration can be treated at home by increasing water and electrolyte intake. Moderate to severe dehydration requires medical attention. It can become a life-threatening medical emergency.

Certain Demographics

Certain groups of people are more likely to have side effects and interactions with antihistamines and alcohol. These include

Females: Women’s bodies produce fewer enzymes that break down alcohol in the body. Women typically have higher body fat and lower body water levels (fat retains alcohol while water eliminates alcohol). This results in women having an increased physiological response to alcohol compared to men. [9] Adding in an antihistamine could result in an increased risk of experiencing adverse reactions with a smaller dose of alcohol. 

Older Adults: For many people, as they age, their body’s tolerance for alcohol decreases.[10]

 Older adults can feel the effects of alcohol more quickly than when they were younger. This can increase one’s risk for falls and vehicle accidents. Older adults are also more sensitive to antihistamines and experience their side effects more often. Combining alcohol and antihistamines as one age becomes more dangerous, as the body is more susceptible to side effects. 

Awareness of the Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Antihistamines

Antihistamines can be safe and effective when used as directed to treat allergy symptoms. They can have life-threatening results if taken in higher than recommended doses or when combined with alcohol or other drugs. Even moderate alcohol consumption is not safe. If you believe you or a loved one is misusing antihistamines and alcohol, talk with your healthcare provider and consider alcohol rehab. They can provide you with direction as to what treatment options are available. This could range from simply changing the antihistamine being taken to recommending a substance use treatment program.

Treatment programs can include detox, inpatient, or outpatient treatment. The goal is to find a program that meets your needs and supports you throughout your recovery process.

Over-the-counter medication misuse and alcohol misuse are two common issues. Talking about it with your loved ones and healthcare professionals is the first step towards improving your health and wellness.

Medical Content Writer

Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions.

Alcohol Addiction Resources

Begin Your Journey

The help you need is just a step away. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options.

Get In Touch

Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol And Allergy Medicine

You should not take antihistamines and alcohol before going to sleep. Antihistamines and alcohol have sedative effects and can compound each other’s side effects. This compounding effect can lead to excessive drowsiness, slowed breathing, and low blood pressure. If you have any of these side effects while sleeping, there are potential risks: you can stop breathing and die in your sleep.

You should wait until the allergy medication is completely out of your system before drinking alcohol. Alcohol can exacerbate antihistamine side effects, so it is best to wait until it is no longer in your body to avoid experiencing any side effects. Depending on the antihistamine you took, it can take anywhere from 40 hours for Zyrtec to clear your system to 50 hours for Claritin and 75 hours for Allegra.[11]

Alcohol should be avoided when taking oral antihistamines. However, some alternatives may help treat allergy symptoms that are less likely to interact with alcohol. These include:

  • Steroid nasal sprays such as Flonase (fluticasone) or Nasonex (mometasone).
  • Antihistamine nasal sprays such as Astepro (azelastine) or Patanase (olopatadine).
  • Decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin (oxymetazoline).
  • Antihistamine eye drops such as Zaditor (ketotifen) or Pataday (olopatadine).

Many alcohols contain histamines, which is what your body reacts to when you are having allergy symptoms. Drinking alcohol can trigger allergy responses in some people, making their allergy symptoms worse. This doesn’t mean you are allergic to alcohol, but you may be reacting to an ingredient in the alcohol. For example, people with gluten allergies can not drink most beers as they contain gluten products.

No, you will not experience euphoria or a high from mixing alcohol and allergy medications. On the contrary, the side effects of combining alcohol and antihistamines are more likely to be unpleasant.

Before taking multiple medications, you should discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider to identify the best treatments. Many over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain alcohol and should not be taken at the same time as an antihistamine.

There Is A Better Way To Live. It's Time To Get The Help You Deserve.

Take the first step in getting your life back. Speak with our admissions team today.
Explore Programs

[1,4,5,6,7] Cleveland Clinic. (2024, July 26). Antihistamines. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/antihistamines 2024, Oct 11.

[2,3] American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. (2021, Aug 5). Antihistamines: If/when are first-generation medications advantageous over newer antihistamines?. Retrieved from https://www.aaaai.org/allergist-resources/ask-the-expert/answers/2021/antihistamine 2024, Oct 11.

[8] Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Dehydration. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086 on 2024, Oct 11.

[9] Taylor, M. (2022, February 24). Why alcohol affects women more than men. BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180618-why-alcohol-affects-women-more-than-men on 2024, Oct 11.

[10] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Older adults and drinking. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/older-adults on 2024, Oct 11.

[11] DrugBank Online (n.d.). DrugBank online: Database for Drug and Drug Target Info. Retrieved from https://go.drugbank.com/ on 2024, Oct 11.

Your Recovery Can Start Now. Contact Soba NJ Today

If you are ready to take the first step toward a new life free from substances, we are here to answer any questions and help you begin your recovery journey.

Reach Out To Get Started
© All Rights Reserved 2024. Soba New Jersey. SEO by DIGITECH .

Call Now

(888) 229-7989