Zyrtec and allergies

My 4 1/2 yo daughter has SEVERE allergies since 6 weeks old. Our specialist prescribed Zyrtec and she has been taking it every night for 3 1/2 years. We haven't noticed any obvious side effects as others have. She is certainly not drowsy (in fact the opposite!)A couple of times we have run out and she has missed it for 1-2 nights, and she has started itching ALL night. We have assumed that she needed the Zyrtec and rushed out and bought more. As I am getting concerned about the long term effects, started researching and found this site. Maybe we should consider that this was withdrawal symptoms and not the allergies. Does anyone know how long the withdrawals last? Thanks to all the posts for all the relevant information.

I was taking Zyrtec for the past 8 years and I am also on Antidepressants ( Effexor) and on Singulair. I had to stop taking the zyrtec 72 hrs prior to being re-tested for my allergies. I had done this once before and knew that the withdrawals were pretty intense, with itching so bad it made me want to go to the hospital. This time I looked up Zyrtec withdrawals and was shocked at the information I discovered. I stopped cold turkey and I am miserable with the itchiness. I also discovered that I don't get so short of breath( I run ) during my exercise. never going back on that stuff again. I still have allergies and get shots every 3 weeks but haven't had any problems not taking the zyrtec in relation to my allergies.

Just started my six year old son on Zyrtec again. The dr. said he could take the adult pill now 10mg. The last few nights he has wakened with terrible nightmares/night terrors. And after reading these posts i remember taking him off for the winter (he was on the liquid 5mg) and i remember him always itching his arms and legs. i remember giving him oatmeal baths. Now i know it is from stopping the Zyrtec. I am calling the doc tomorrow about these nightmares. He was also on Singulair 4mg for 1 1/2 years then one year ago was upped to 5mg. Within one dose we noticed he was very depressed and cried easily. After a week called the doc about it, stopped it then had our son back in a few days. Will Never give Singulair again and now stopping Zyrtec. All these meds are so scary. A part of me feels these meds are created because it is a HUGE business. They have side effects then you have to take other meds for those side effects and it is a never ending circle i feel purposely created by pharmaceutical companys to make money. And we are all suffering because of their greed. Shame on them

Wow! My husband and I have thought recently maybe I should stop using Zyrtec. Maybe it is causing my lethargy, weight gain, difficulty sleeping, inability to work for more than an hour doing anything, intense hunger. I have taken Zyrtec year round for several years since living in Santa Fe where I developed bad allergies. There I took it in conjunction with Nasonex. After leaving there I couldn't afford it so I switched to day hist but I started sneezing and had an itchy nose constantly. Sinus infections also. So I started Zyrtec full time a few years ago. I can't lose weight to save my life and have no energy. Depression-yes. I would never have thought I would experience that. My journals are full of it. But I thought it all was because of "the change" because I was under the impression there weren't any side effects. But I am all organic and still struggling with trying not to gain anymore weight. I have a terrible time just trying to clean one room without feeling wasted! I don't look forward to stopping but I have got to see if this is affecting me this way, Thanks to all. I want me back!

I have been taking a combination of Pataday, Zyrtec, Nasonex and Advil for the last 4 years for my seasonal allergies. After last years pollen season I found out that I could not get off Zyrtec due to itching. So I have been taking it ever since once every 3-4 days. Now that I found this site, I dont care if I itch for months, I am quitting. I will never again take a Zyrtec tablet in my life. I'd rather take a few weeks off and go south in May, then end up like this.

I had only been taking zyrtec for the past few months and ran out a few days ago and decided that i really didn't want to continue takin it i have been off of it for almost 3 days now and have started itching like crazy. Going off zyrtec was the only thing that had changed so i started researching it and found it is a common effect when quitting. I will never go back on it and am trying to get family and friends to quit taking it as well after seein all of the negative side effects and withdrawal problems. I'll be stickin with treating my allergies with OTC tylenol or advil sinus. Any help that zyrtec may have isn't worth all the negative points for me

I started taking zyrtec a few days ago for seasonal allergies. I had tried the claritin (loratidine) before and it didn't seem to really help me much. I was avoiding the zyrtec because I knew it could potentially make me drowsy and I didn't want to be tired if I was working. I'm a pharmacist so I decicded to try it knowing the potential side effects. It works really well for me - but I started having really vivid strange - and disturbing - dreams. It has only been a week and they havent been too bad so far - but I am going to monitor it and if they get worse I will stop and try something else. The reason this is so strange is I don't normally dream much at all. I maybe remember bits and pieces of a dream - these are wierd and strange and make absolutely no sense. These dreams seem so real and are so clear - I can remember every detail of what was done and said.

I really did not notice any side effects with the Zyrtec alone. I have allergies to mice (which I work with in my job). The zyrtec really helped when I took it once a day at first. It stopped the sneezing and I did not feel funny (nothing I can think of). Then the zyrtec seemed to stop working after 12 hours, so I felt like I needed to start taking more of them. At one point I was trying to take 3 a day, almost like I was weirdly addicted to them? I went to the doctors b/c I knew something was wrong, and they put me on Zyrtec and Singulair cocktail. The Singulair has made me feel nausea, I have had extreme diarrhea, lower back pain and headaches. I think I want to try to stop taking all of the medicine and see how I feel! I don't know how bad the zyrtec is, but I know the Singulair made me sick!

I had been somewhat depressed for a while. After 2 days of being on Zyrtec, I was nearly suicidal. I continued to take it for a few more days because it did help with my allergies. I wasn't sure that it had anything to do with my depression until I stopped using it (after a week). Being off of it for 2 days changed my complete outlook on life. I am much happier and positive. I only tried Zyrtec because my insurance company refused to pay for Allegra, which works very well with no side effects.

My son was on a cocktail of Singulair, Zyrtec, Astellin and Nasonex. Like a miracle, his severe allergies cleared up almost immediately. Months later, behavioral changes started to surface. Extreme irritability, major meltdowns over nothing, problems in school and pulling out his facial hair including eyelashes and eyebrows. We stopped the medication in April and he improved. By mid summer, the hair pulling stopped. When his allergies started up again about 10 days ago, I put him back on the Zyrtec, because I was certain the Singulair was causing most of the problems. Within 3-4 days, the emotional outbursts started, panic attacks that never happened before - he said he couldn't breathe. Now the hair pulling is back. Everyone thinks I want to blame medication for his problems, but I am certain that Zyrtec has something to do with these problems in addition to Singulair. We have taken him off Zyrtec 2 days ago. We have a dr. appointment in 2 days and we will discuss all of this with him. In the meantime, his allergies are back and he is miserable. I would rather him be physically sick than mentally at this point.

I have been on Zyrtec for three years (Every day) haven't noticed mood swings in myself? My mother also takes them every other day and is not particularly moody. Although she has trouble sleeping which she attributes to the menopause But if i don't take one within 24hrs I get very itchy and hive up..now that I'm breastfeeding I've just noticed my daughter is very irritable..and am beginning to think it's related to the zyrtec. I'm changing to claratyne in the morning to see if there's a change..very,very interesting and scary reading all the side-effects!!

I have been taking Zyrtec for about 2 weeks now to help with an inner ear problem that I just recently realized was due to allergies. I ran out of Zyrtec yesterday and I think I am going to try Claritin for a day or two now. Zyrtec was giving me random shortness of breath spells (only about once a day and my asthma inhaler would usually help the shortness of breath). I also have been having nightmares and my attitude has been very apathetic. I don't feel like my happy self when I'm on Zyrtec. It's better than being dizzy yes, but I am in a relationship and I don't want to feel like I am wasting happy time with my significant other.

My 5 year old daughter was started on Zyrtec about 10 days ago (Dr.s orders) and WOW... not good. We can not see any changes in her allergies but her moodswings are way off. Last nite she told me "daddy that clear medicine I take now, makes me feel busy and funny". When we ask her why she is acting rude and being ugly, she says she doesn't know. She has been taking Singlar for about 2 months and Nasonex for about 1-2 years. HELP!!!!!

I have been on Zyrtec for at least 4 yrs and I have to stop to have some allergy test done again.I am 53 yrs old and asthmatic. I have to be off them for 7 days prior to the tests. I can't believe the withdrawal I am getting. I am itching all over and feel as though I am crawling out of my skin. I will take the shots for my allergies and never go back to Zyrtec again. Works great for allergies but don't try to get off them.

I have been on Zyrtec now for 4 years, since I have been taking Zyrtec I have had severe depression along with anxiety, and at times completely isolated myself from my family and others. This drug is very dangerous, and I have wasted a lot of time being unhappy because of it. although it does treat ones allergies, it isn't worth it to spend your life alone and unhappy!

My daughter was taking a deadly cocktail of Zyrtec, Advair, and Singulair. She was on these medications for three years. At the time we thought that it was fantastic that her severe asthma and allergies were finally under control. After about six months of being on the medications we saw her slowly decline into a state of depression and withdrawal, she had constant headaches, she couldn't sleep, she was no longer interested in any of her friends or activities. She went from a loving and sweet girl to an angry and bitter person. In 2003 she committed suicide. Six months after her death reports started to come out about the links to Singulair and depression and suicide. Perhaps it was the combination of the three drugs in her case. If we would have had any idea what the effects of these drugs were we would have taken her off of them immediately! Please spread the word about the dangers of Singulair, Zyrtec, and Advair. Go on to the other sites and read what people have been posting and you will be shocked. The Singulair survivors are banning together to try and get this medication pulled. Do what you can to spread the word!

I was taking Zyrtec every day for the last 3-4 weeks. It is the best OTC medication for my mild, but annoying allergies. I stopped taking it yesterday for the first time and had the worst migraine with nausea and vomiting that I've ever experienced in my life. I didn't take it again today. I'm feeling a migraine coming on, and would rather take the Zytec than go through that experience again.

I love the fact that Zyrtec works wonders for my allergies, but not how it makes me feel. It effects everyone differently that is for sure.
I have been severe with my mood swings and soooooo tired even if I have taken it at night. I can't recall any weight gain over the past year because I have been on a diet. I have had the heart flutters, nausea and dizziness. The worst I can say though is the aggressive behavior, very easy to snap and crazy thoughts. This is not good when you are a stay at home mom with a 3 year old and 1 year old. I have recently taken myself off of it and feel happier and so do my kids. If you or someone you know has to take it please take notice if any of these side effect occur and switch meds. It affects not only you, but the ones you love around you.
I would rather sneeze.
As for withdrawals; I get severe headaches, sleeplessness, and itchy.

My husband suffered for a full year with constant burping--not reflux, not heartburn, just air, like colic. He was so bloated that it was painful for him to sit. He went from doctor to doctor, and even to a GI who suspected Celiac's. He also had a feeling that his throat was constricted, and once went to the emergency room, afraid that it might close up. The doctors found nothing.

He has a severe dust allergy (it causes hives, no respiratory symptoms) that was diagnosed last year, at which point he was prescribed Zyrtec and Singulair. He mentioned the prescriptions to every doctor he saw (this is in New York, not the boondocks, btw), and every one said it can't be the Zyrtec or the Singulair. It should be noted that we eat all natural foods, no white flour, no white sugar, so we knew there were no artificial additives that could be causing his reaction. My husband even tried cutting out dairy, then wheat, then all gluten, for over a month.

Finally, about five weeks ago, he told a cousin about his mysterious symptoms, and she asked if he was taking Zyrtec. He said yes, and she said he should try going off it because she'd had a similar problem with that drug. He did, and within four days, the burping and bloating stopped.

Because his itching was uncontrollable with Singulair alone, he decided to try taking one Zyrtec, thinking it might not hurt. Within 24 hours, the burping and throat swelling was back intensely.

The doctor switched him to Allegra. He took one and it helped him. He took a second pill two days later, and the burping reaction started. The allergist confirmed that people who have this "rare" reaction to Zyrtec may also have that reaction to Allegra.

If you are suffering from these symptoms, go off the Zyrtec as soon as you can. I wish someone had told us so that my husband would have saved himself a year of suffering.

I was prescribed Zyrtec a few years ago for allergies. I also have MPV and need to take Atenolol, I will need to take Atenolol for the rest of my life. My cardiologist recommended I stop taking Zyrtec because it can give you an irregular heart beat. When I tried to stop it I got very bad withdrawal symptoms, chills,heart racing, insomnia, itchy skin. I thought I was going crazy, so I took one Zyrtec as soon as I took it 15 min later the symptoms stopped. The next night I decided to try and cut the pill in half and only take 5 mg, that was ok for 3 day's then the symptoms returned. I had to take the other half of the Zyrtec and then the symptoms went away.
I can not believe that I have to find a way to wean off Zyrtec. I am very annoyed that they do not list on the label that their could be withdrawal symptoms after taking Zyrtec for a while. I am not giving up I am going to continue and try to wean myself off the Zyrtec, hopefully I won't have a heart attack in my attempt to get off this drug. If anyone has a successful way to wean off Zyrtec please post it. Thanks and I hope this helped someone who was thinking of taking this drug. STAY AWAY FROM IT..

I think the hardest part - for me - was even to concieve the idea that Zyrtec has all of these side effects.

I've been taking Zyrtec on a daily basis for about 90- 110 days a year due to really bad allergies. We live in the NY area which produce alergans most of the year.

After trying almost every antihistamine, Zyrtec seemed at the time as the best drug since it handled the allergy while eliminating the drowsiness almost completely for me. Being happy that I was able to maintain normal life during allergy periods was almost a new concept for me and I was really grateful for finding this drug.

Unfortunately, being almost blinded by the allergy-fighting success, I neglected the attention to the side effects. I guess I'm falling into the unlucky 2%. I had almost every side effect: Irritation, mood swings, gaining weight, dry mouth - just name it.

Recently, my wife did some research because we got to the point where I would fight with her over anything. I can testify that my tolerance level hit the ground. Anyway, she got my attention for her research results which turned a red flag for me. In addition, this year my body seemed to not respond anymore to the drug and doing my own little research revealed that it is very likely that you need to rotate different drugs every few months.

So I decided to get off Zyrtec and switched to Benadryl Allergy which I take every 4-6 hours. Yes, it does make me drowsy for about 15-20 minutes but it works. What's more interesting is, I've been about 10 days off Zyrtec and I am shocked to realize that I'm slowly getting rid of all the side effects associated with Zyrtec.

That being said, I would like to emphasize that this was my own individual experience and it may not be the same for someone else. But it is pretty disappointing for me that i cannot use this drug anymore on a regular basis.

I started using Zyrtec recently after my niece received it from her doctor as the solution to her allergies. (We bought it at the drug store). My allergies are skin related where i walk and feel a deep itch in my thighs and anywhere else i have tight clothing. Also when i work out - i have itch deep skin. This is under the surface and very uncomfortable especially when you are walking/working out. Leads to confusion etc. I had never used any allergy medicine before but decided just to see if i would feel any different.

Anyhow, I started using Zyrtec the other day and almost immediately, I started fighting with my boyfriend - everything i was angry with him about came out. It was helpful but also i was very mean in my approach. I also started getting back pains around the spine area - not in the spine but around it and could not sleep until i took an ibuprofen. Today i experienced left shoulder and back pain. That was it for me and whats funny is that i took the lowest possible doze. So i am not touching that medicine again. I am a 36 year old woman. Its a strong medicine and something is strange with it (changes moods etc). I will have to change the medication for my niece before she goes through the side effects.

i have taken Zyrtec for years during the fall during ragweed season - works great for me without any side effects. My husband can only take it every other day as it makes him feel flu -ish. 18 yr old takes as needed and it works great. 16- yr old has allergy asthma and has taken Zyrtec for years and now with Singulair. She now is experiencing all noted problems of sleeplessness, headache, anxiety, and grumpy. We are quitting the Singulair to monitor improvement and will do the same with Zyrtec if needed.

NOTE: Each person most be monitored with every drug for allergies and side effects. If you or your child cannot tolerate a drug, STOP taking it. You are your best daily diagnostician! Your DR. may not agree or understand, but pursue another course. REMEMBER though, that drug may be a lifesaver for millions of others that react favorably! Penicillin is a miracle drug unless you are allergic! Doctors should encourage close monitoring whenever your kids take a new drug - but when they don't - that's our job!

Here's what's going on...

I've been taking Zyrtec for years with no problems. I don't have the usual allergies like runny nose, itchy eyes, etc. My allergies make me very sick to my stomach--all day long. It was like morning sickness. I was on polaramine for many years and they discontinued it, then I found Contact and then they discontinued the ingredient that helped me that was in Contact. After trying a few other OTC and prescribed antihistamines, Zyrtec was the only one that helped me.

Since I have started taking the OTC Zyrtec (not to be confused with OTC Zyrtec-D), I've been getting terrible irregular heart rhythms...what happened??

Can anyone tell me if the product has changed since they went OTC? And what is in Zyrtec that makes the heart go crazy like that? It's very annoying. I'll have to start trying all different meds now to find one that works.

Our son was on Zyrtec for 3 years, we just took him off and went a homeopathic route for his allergies. While on zyrtec, he was so emotional, had trouble in school, cried a ton and was overall a mess! A few days after we changed his meds, he was a DIFFERENT person for the better!

I was really relieved to have found this information. I thought I was loosing it! I am 38 and was having bursts of rage, crying for nothing... could it be menopause? NO! Unfortunately these are not listed for physicians as side effects so my doctor friend then just thought I was nuts.
The vivid dreams were a more positive side effect for me, but seeing things while awake wasn't quiet as fun. So, I'm off the Zyrtec.
I know people are saying we sound crazy, but bottom line is not all medications are for everyone. And we should know about these potential issues so if they do arise we know its the medication and not something else.

VERTIGO!
I've had bouts of it in the past but nothing like this! Falling down, unable to drive, to the point of vomiting. I thought it was from allergies (which are bad but if I'm taking the Zyrtec... as well as Nasonex and psuedofedrine... and I am not getting better... what was I thinking?). Went to the doctor who gave me a 3 more medications and exercises and told me to continue the Zyrtec. Then, after starting the other medication and feeling better, I took Zyrtec before bed and my symptoms got worse again! Thankfully I realized what was provoking it.
I contacted Pfizer to see if they were collecting additional information to fine tune the side effects info they have now.

my then 2 year old daughter began to take Zyrtec in sept 06 for allergies. she began to STUTTER in November 06. she has gotten worse over time. she also has experienced vaginal irritation for about the same amount of time
( 1 1/2 years) i have had her tested by a gyn and everything came back normal. her stuttering got worse when the doctor upped her dose. so bad that she can not complete a sentence. i took her off of it 1 week ago and we have seen mild improvement and Withdrawal (crying,itching,sleeplessness) has anyone else experienced this? please help us!

I can't believe what I am reading. My son, who is 10 now has been on this med for 5 years now. The same amount of time that he has been dx with ad/hd. He started a new med for adhd this past summer and was doing wonderful, at the same time I had run out of Zyrtec for a couple of months and was giving him Claritin instead. Well we got a Zyrtec prescription on Oct. 1 and since then his behavior has went down hill. I thought that the adhd med had just stopped working, now I am wondering if it is the Zyrtec. The time the med seemed to stop being effective is the same time we had the Zyrtec filled. I am taking him off of it immediately. He has been angry, smart mouthed, disrespectful. Doesn't listen to anything I say. This summer and even until last month was wonderful. He did what I asked the first time, I didn't have to repeat myself, and he was calmer and nicer. I can't wait to see if this is the cause of a lot of his problems.

I am so glad I found this web site. My son who is 6 just went on Zyrtec about 10 days ago and since then has had major anger issues and a few uncontrolable melt downs. His allergies have been horrible since we moved to AZ but I think the allergies might be more managable than the outburts from the meds he is taking for his allergies. Going to stops the meds immediatly and call the Dr. to see what other options we might have. Thank you for this website. Robin

I have no such symptoms with Zyrtec-as a matter of fact it is about the only antihistamine that works for me. I have been back on it for about three months and the only reason I was off it for a while was because the VA did not have it in their formulary so I was put on Loratidine which did not help me much for my allergies.

Thank goodness I found this. I thought my son was going to crazy. He is 5 years old and having terrible outbursts and says he cannot controll his emotions. I was really worried. This explains a lot. thank you

my 7 year old son has started breaking out with a funny rash since he started zyrtec. kind of looks like ringworms. is this a possible side affect?

I have been taking Zyrtec for about a year now and I have not had any of the problems that all of these people have been complaining of, such as eating too much, gaining weight, not sleeping, phyco problems, etc. I have had none of these symtoms and the meds had gotten rid of my hives and allergies.

Is this drug for kids only? I'm 24 years old and I'm taking it, it does absolutely nothing to me except clear up my allergies, it is amazing.

My son had behavioral side effects. It worked great for the runny nose, but he always got in trouble at school on the days I gave him his medicine. We had to skip the allergy medicine for good days at school. Me 2 year old has been taking it for allergies and I think he may be having the same problem. I thought he was just bad, but when we ran out of medicine this week he behaved much better.

My 6 y.o. son is on Zyrtec 10 mg for severe allergies but he has stomach pains that start in afternoon and by bedtime he is nauseaus and the pain is so bad he can't sleep and then is tired and gets in trouble at school. Taken him off and stomach has subsided mostly but still comes and goes, also on Pulmicort.

My 10 year old daughter was prescribed Zyrtec for cat/dog/other allergies in the spring of 2004. She had severe emotional outbursts, to the point we were considering doing counseling. She was angry, arguementative, extremely tired and suffered from insomnia. We took her off when her allergies subsided. ALL of her behavior issues have been non existent. We didn't realize until this month when she started it again that her behavior changes coincided directly with taking the medication. We have our daughter back!

I have wondered about the side effects of zyrtec - our daughter has been taking it for 5 year - the same amount of time she has been depressed, negative, etc and these symptoms just get worse as she grows older! I wish she wasn't taking zyrtec. I don't think it's just a coinincidence that her sadness, gloom, and depression began the same she started the zyrtec. She's only 50 lbs and the Dr has her on an adult dose (but she does have severe, severe allergies).

my daughter got stomach pains the next day after starting zyrtec, why do doctors prescribe this stuff for mild allergies? She is only 5, and I am stopping the medicine immediately so she is not a ginnie pig any longer.

my son became paranoid and obssessive while taking Zyrtec for his allergies. All symptoms were gone once we stopped.