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Is it safe to take both Zantac (ranitidine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) to treat chronic hives for an extended period of time?
I have had all sorts of allergy tests, and they cannot seem to identify a cause. The only thing that helps control the hives are by taking 10mg of Zyrtec and 150mg of Zantac every day. Is this a healthy long term solution? What are possible side effects of taking these medication over a long period of time?
38 yr old, Male
asked Jan 12, 2010 at 01:35PM in Allergies
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3Votes
answered Jan 14, 2010 at 03:51PMProbably not.
While both drugs are rather safe they do have side effects and can cause problems.
In particular I would be most concerned with the long term use of the ranitidine. This drug as you probably know reduces the acid that is produced in the stomach. While this might be a desired effect in people with certain gastrointestinal disorders it is not something that you would want to continue to do in a normal person. The low pH of the stomach does serve a purpose and interfering with that purpose long term would not be something I would recommend.
Allergic reactions can be identified and what you need to do is go to a competent physician that specializes in allergy and immunology and have him/her diagnosis what is causing your hives. You need to get to the root of the problem not just cover it up. -
2Votes
answered Feb 24, 2010 at 08:00AMFor chronic urticaria it is often necessary to use more than one medication. I agree, however, that long term use of ranitidine, which is an H2 antihistamine, may not be the best approach. I would consider discussing with your physician the possibility of using one of the newer H1 antihistamines, such as levoceterizine, that has a higher affinity binding in the histamine receptor and lasts longer. If one antihistamine alone does not control your symptoms the addition of a second H1, such as fexofenadine , may be helpful. If you have already tried different combos and the Zyrtec/Zantac combination is the only thing that controls the hives, then they would be the best approach. -
0Votes
answered Mar 04, 2010 at 05:58PMI agree with both Dr Sublett and Dr Hayes. One alternative would be pulse dosing, in which you give your body a holiday from the medications and then re-initiate one or the other. Talk to your physician and have your physcian obtain a pharmacological consult. The Pharm.D. filling your prescriptions are an excellent source of pharmico-chemical knowledge and interactions.
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