Zyrtec and hives

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 began taking Zyrtec for seasonal allergies. I had taken OTC benadryl but it makes me very drowsy so dr. recommended Zyrtec. Took it every day for a week and noticed shortly (within an hour) after taking, I developed a pronounced rash on my hands and feet. Red circular bumps that itched. I did not immediately associate the rash with taking Zyrtec. I had recently purchased new hand soap so I attributed this change to the rash. I stopped taking the Zyrtec and eliminated using the soap at the same. 3 days of no bumpy rash. This morning, took a Zyrtec after a particular rough sneezy morning. Within an hour, the rash is back! The Zyrtec is the ONLY THING that can be causing this reaction as it is the only variable present at the same time the rash is!

I started doing research online and am shocked at the reactions people have to Zyrtec. I have never been one to take medicines as I don't trust the pharmaceutical companies and this justifies my position!

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.

I have been on zyrtec for about 2 yrs. I gained 70 lbs. I'm never full. I eat everything in sight. Everytime I try to go off the zyrtec, I break out in hives, that never happened to me until I started taking it. I'm now trying to weane off. I went from 10mgs. to 5mgs. Now I don't know where to go from here, thats the lowest dose for an adult.