AboutBarbara Judge Expertise Outpatient pharmacy and general health. I have recently completed a Pharmceutical Care Certificate Program offered by Purdue University (Spring 1999 completion). I have personal experience dealing with terminally ill persons and their needs, as well as their families` needs. I graduated in 1984 from Pharmacy School and have been a Licensed Pharmacist since then. I have 18 years retail pharmacy experience. Prior to my pharmacy training I have 3 years hospital experience as a Nurse`s Aide.
Question I am a 58 year old male and I am currently taking Zyrtec for allergies and Zetia for high cholesterol. I am experiencing more fatigue or tiredness than I normally have in the past. I work out three times per week at a fitness center and am in good health. Are the combination of these medicines causing me to be more tired than normal? And what time of day should I take these to try to avoid the tiredness.
Answer It is possible that Zyrtec is causing a feeling of drowsiness or fatigue. It would be unusual for Zetia to cause this problem. To minimize this side effect, it it is due to the Zyrtec, I would recommend taking the Zyrtec at bedtime. Zetia should be taken with your evening meal or at bedtime with a low fat snack. Zetia will actually work a little better if taken late in the day.
If you have been taking Zyrtec for more than a a week or so and just now have been feeling tired, it is probably not due to the medication. In that case you should see your doctor as soon as possible to find out if there is not some other cause of the change in how you are feeling.
