Zyrtec and headaches

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 Zyrtec for about three months. Doctor suggested I take it for a month after bad sinus infection. I was still all choked up after a month so I kept taking it.... I also take an antidepressant, Citalopram, that I've been taking for years. I have wondered since taking Zyrtec if there are any long-term side effects. After reading the postings above I found several symptoms I've been experiencing lately that others contribute to Zyrtec. I stopped taking Zyrtec tonight and will see if anything changes. I definitely have little energy and wake up with excruciating back pain, but I had a fair amount of back pain before I took Zyrtec. I have pain in my upper left arm that is getting worse each day. Heartburn at night. I had very weird dreams lately - I was on "drugs" that made me completely loopy, dizzy and out of it. I woke up dizzy and realized the dream was partly reality.
I have had some headaches and racing heart. I just thought I was getting old and falling apart!! We'll see...
Will keep you posted.
ST

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 have been taking zyrtec for 5 days. I bought a kitten and have mild allergies to cats. I thought this medication would keep the allergies at bay, however the side effects are not worth it. I would rather the runny nose i think. The headaches and fatigue are awful. I feel very unwell. I wont be taking it tomorrow or ever again

My son has been on Zyrtec for the past year - he is now 4. He the sweetest disposition one minute and is a monster the next hating us and wishing we were dead. We assumed that it was his age and possibly a behavior disorder until I read the other entries. We took him off immediately and he is back to the kid we lost last year. This needs to be taken seriously. When I researched the side effects on the drug website they do not mention behavior issues as a possible side effect. My son will live with a runny nose and a smile on his face.

My 9 yr old son has been on zyrtech since he was 3. He is a bright kid, but has little physical quardination, and is tired all the time. In the last year he has complained of headaches, stomach aches and has bloody noses. His father & I are going to be taking him off of zyrtec. Need info on alternative therapies to consider.

stomach pains, vomiting, headaches