Is it safe to take allergy and cold medicine at the same time? Here's what you need to know

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When spring colds collide with seasonal allergies, the feelings are anything but mild. But before you reach for that first bottle of cough syrup or nasal decongestant, an important question arises: Can we take both medications—for allergies and for colds—at the same time?

Short answer: Yes, but with caution.

Why should you be careful?

Many over-the-counter medications (like those for colds and allergies) have the same ingredients – like antihistamines or pain relievers. If you take two medications that contain the same active ingredient, you could inadvertently get a double dose, which can cause drowsiness, irregular heartbeat or, in rare cases, difficulty breathing.

So, check the labels to see what each medicine contains. If, for example, one of them has paracetamol (acetaminophen), avoid taking another that has the same substance.

How to use them safely?

- Take only what you need. If you only have a cough, take a cough suppressant. Don't take a combination that includes a decongestant (a type of medicine that unblocks the airways) or painkillers unless you need them.

- Always read the label for warnings. Many medications clearly state on the packaging what they should not be combined with.

Some common combinations and are they allowed:

- Benadryl + Sudafed → Yes. One is an antihistamine, the other a decongestant – they work in different ways and are often used together.

- Claritin + Sudafed → It depends. If your Claritin is the “D” version (Claritin-D), then it already contains both ingredients (loratadine + pseudoephedrine), so don’t take another Sudafed separately.

- Zyrtec + Mucinex (classic) → Yes, they are usually safe together. But be careful if Mucinex also contains an antihistamine – then don't combine the two.

- Claritin + Flonase → Yes, they can be used together without any problems. One is in pill form, the other is a nasal spray – and they have no dangerous interactions.

So, it's possible to use cold and allergy medications at the same time if you read labels carefully and avoid repeated ingredients. If you're not sure, check with your pharmacist or doctor. It's better to ask than to deal with unnecessary side effects.

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_{Source: Pop Sugar}