Simple enough: I wanted to take ibuprofen, but accidentally took some allergy meds I bought last year instead (generic Zyrtec, I think). Any reason to be concerned? Does it matter what the medication is? Or that I took the ibuprofen once I realized my error? Google tells me nothing relevant.
You should be fine, in this case. It’s an over-the-counter medication, and the medications you have taken aren’t mentioned in the warnings if you read the packaging.
If you ever do have a question about a medication that you have accidentally taken, you can call the poison hotline. The number is (800) 222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Online you can go to www.PoisonHelp.org. They can help you determine whether you have taken a dangerous drug, dose, or combination of medications, and what next steps should be.
It seems like if anything, the allergy med was milder on your body than the ibuprofen. But again, I know nothing.
Obviously this will very wildly from person to person, but in general, not this won’t be an issue. Again, generally speaking, Ibuprofen tends to be rough on the GI system, allergy meds tend to make people tired.
Taking an allergy med late at night (before bed?) likely won’t make any difference at all. If it does make you tired, you’ll sleep it off. Even ones that say non-drowsy will make some people tired. For example, I can take a few Benedryls and be fine for an hour or so. But Zyrtec (I think it’s that one) will sometimes knock me out within minutes…like I’ll take one around 10pm and wake up at 3 in the morning wondering why I’m in my living room with the TV on. If I have to take them during the day (allergy shots), sometimes I’ll make sure to take some kind of stimulant with it, like a caffeine pill.
Ibuprofen, OTOH, for most people it’s no big deal, for some people, even a single Advil will give them horrible heartburn for the rest of the day or even into the next day. I have NSAIDS on my allergy list at the big medical group around here because one jerk nurse pumped me full of Torodol, despite me asking her multiple times what it was. My heartburn was so bad it was a good 24 hours before I could even talk normal again.
TLDR, you’re fine. Provided this is the only drowsy-type drug you’ve taken, you’ll be fine, generally speaking.
Speaking as a physician to the general case: NOT a problem.