Zyrtec and anxiety

My 13 year old son was taking Singulair for several years and had developed, over time, depression and anxiety. I didn't put the two together until the news stories came out a couple of years ago. Since then he has been taking Zyrtec. Over time the depression and anxiety has returned. He does not take the Zyrtec everyday, just as needed. I believe that it has built up in his system to cause the side effects. Can anyone give me an idea of how long it takes to get out of his system so that I can tell if this is what is causing the problems or if I should look for some other cause.
Thanks

I wish I had found this site a year ago. My 9 year old son was prescribed Zyrtec for his nasal allergies. He took it each day for over 6 months. He began to have problems in school - withdrawing from class participation, moody behavior at home, depression, lethargy, anxiety, worry, feelings of despair, told me that he would be better off dead! I started to panic but never associated the Zyrtec with his mental state. Took him to a counselor who said that he seemed like a normal, well-adjusted little boy who was sensitive. Realized that the Zyrtec was not really fully controlling his nasal allergies so decided to stop taking it for a while. Not much change in the allergies but the emotional change was amazing! I had my little boy back in only a few days after stopping the Zyrtec. First thing I noticed was that he was no longer mopey and lethargic and wondered if the Zyrtec had been making him tired. Then when the rest of his emotional issues disappeared magically I began to suspect the Zyrtec but the ped. dismissed my fears. A few months later he began to have bad allergies again so again tried an anithistimine for him. Zombie-like state returned right away. For some reason he is hyper-sensitive to all anithistimines and we avoid them all with him. What I learned from this is that doctors are not open to admitting that these drugs they so casually prescribe have serious side-effects.

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!

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 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!