Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis User Reviews (Page 4)

• AZJ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 21, 2022

Cetirizine "I had been using this several times a week for years. At the same time, I had strange gut pain, mild nausea, and generally, days where I just felt lousy. Many days with anxiety and fatigue. My eyes get extremely dry overnight too. I tried so many things, including many doctor visits, leading to CT scans and ultrasounds, nothing found. I would sometimes have some pretty good days, never realizing that the bad days occurred when I took Zyrtec. I use this site often, as I am very sensitive to all drugs and supplements, but never dreamed that Zyrtec could be the source of most of my issues. After reading the negative comments, I stopped taking it, and my gut pain went away almost immediately, as did the general malaise and anxiety. I had thought these popular OTC antihistamines were harmless! I tried Claritin and Allegra and they are no bargain either, but not nearly as bad as this nasty drug. Good old Benadryl works fine, but is not recommended for daily use."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2009

Cetirizine "I just took Zyrtec for the first time last night. I slept great, but now that I am awake, I feel so tired. I am not experiencing any of my allergy symptoms, but I am on Nasonex too. Nasonex and Zyrtec work great together, the Zyrtec is the antihistamine, and the Nasonex is just a generic allergy medication. I am very sluggish, but people have said that it wears off within a couple of days. I am a little drawn back though, people have been saying it causes problems with their moods, but I trust my doctor who prescribed it to me. Hope you all feel better soon."

• lif...
• April 30, 2008

Cetirizine "Zyrtec has been a wonder drug. All of my life I have suffered from allergies. It's affected every aspect of my life, from relationships to pets and school. Anyone with allergies knows when you wake up in the morning, and as soon as you walk out the door, you start feeling like you have the flu. I've been using Zyrtec for 6 months now, and I feel wonderful!!! I can play in the yard with my kids and stay outside as long as I'd like to."

• Miy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 31, 2022

Cetirizine "I started taking Zyrtec many years ago, on and off only when I suffered seasonal allergies, and it worked fine. However, a little over a year ago, when it came to the end of the spring allergy season and I got off Zyrtec, I started getting pruritus all over my hands and palms, arms, feet, and buttocks. I thought I was having an allergic reaction from another medication I was taking at the time, so I kept on taking Zyrtec to relieve the symptoms. Thankfully, my health improved, and I was able to stop taking other medications recently, so I also stopped taking Zyrtec, thinking that I wouldn't need it anymore. This is how I found out that this severe pruritus was from withdrawal itching due to Zyrtec! The withdrawal itching is really severe, and although I can barely stand it during the day, I cannot sleep at night. I get hives all over my body, from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet, including my private parts. It is an absolute nightmare. Don't use Zyrtec if you haven't yet or switch to another kind."

• bob...
• October 3, 2012

Cetirizine "It really did not work for me. My eyes itched a bit less, but my nose just kept itching and running. Also sneezed multiple times after the 1st dose. Tried a 2nd tablet 4 hours later with no noticeable results. This may work for some people, but I get better relief from Benadryl, which works well but causes drowsiness."

• P2a...
• February 15, 2019

"10 mg is one of the best things I've ever taken for allergies. I can breathe better on this, and I don't have to use my rescue inhaler as often. This drug suppresses my allergies to the point where I only need one squirt of Flonase per day (normally I use 2 squirts). I'd use this drug daily, except it wipes the floor with me (even Remeron and Benadryl don't make me this tired). Also seems to give me occasional stomach cramps and diarrhea."

• Ju-...
• July 7, 2008

Cetirizine "I have been taking Zyrtec for about 3 months now, and one side effect that I have noticed is I sound like I have laryngitis all the time. My throat is too dry and scratchy. Other than that, it works great, no itchy eyes, sneezing, and such!"

• Sne...
• January 14, 2009

Cetirizine "I have been using Zyrtec for the last three years with great results. I am back to running outdoors without the urticaria, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Also, I can visit friends who have pets without needing to leave after five minutes."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 12, 2022

Cetirizine "It sucks if you quit taking it. I had been taking it for 2 years. Just be prepared for your skin to itch and crawl like you have bugs all over you. Don’t take it because if you stop, it’s miserable."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2021

Cetirizine "I used Zyrtec for indoor allergies (dust and pet dander) for 2 months. I was directed by my allergist to quit taking it 2 weeks prior to allergy tests, and within 2-3 days of stopping the once-daily Zyrtec, I broke out in hives from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet (I've never had hives in my life). The hives lasted about 10 days, with the first 3 days being the worst. After doing more research on Zyrtec, I found that withdrawal hives is VERY common. I will never use Zyrtec again!"

• Be ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2022

Cetirizine "Don’t take!!!! I started taking Zyrtec at the end of February due to fluid in my ears. My medical provider recommended taking it every day through spring. I started feeling very sad and thought I was just because of the long, cold winter. I was also feeling tired all the time and napping more than usual. I thought it was from starting work earlier at my new job. I had my annual physical yesterday, and my MD noticed I had an irregular heart rate, and an EKG verified this. She is referring me to a cardiologist. When I got home from my appointment, I remembered that the only thing that has changed is that I started taking Zyrtec, so I didn’t take it today, and I swear that I feel 10 years younger. My joints don’t ache, I have energy, and I feel less anxious…. I plan to see the cardiologist, but I would bet my house that my heart rate is back to normal without the Zyrtec…."

• ban...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 7, 2021

Cetirizine "I was on Zyrtec for 3 years for allergies. I finally scheduled an appointment with an allergy doctor and had to stop the meds before the appointment. After two days, I had intense itching/burning on my palms and soles of my feet. To the point I had to cave and take half a pill, and it would immediately subside after 20 minutes. I stopped the meds after doing some research and seeing how bad withdrawals are. It’s been almost a month since I last took half a pill. I’ve broken out into random rashes on my neck and chest almost daily. Also, every time my boyfriend kisses me anywhere except for my face, I get a red rash. Fun times. Do not use Zyrtec!"

• sti...
• March 9, 2009

Cetirizine "This stuff works great. Clear head and reduced asthma reaction to allergens. The only problem is if I take it at night, it is really hard to get out of bed in the morning, and I am usually groggy for the first couple of hours at work."

• DRS...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 22, 2020

Cetirizine "I suffered from reoccurring respiratory infections 2-3 times a year, as well as seasonal allergies. A nurse recommended I start taking Zyrtec daily, so I did. It has been over 3 years now, and I have not had so much as a cold in that time. Now, in the spring, I have to supplement it with Benadryl, as the hay fever can get bad at certain times and make my eyes itch. But overall, I am much better off respiratory infection-wise. I also take L-Lysine daily, and my doctor had made the comment that these 2 combined could possibly act as a prophylactic against COVID as well. Thank you, Zyrtec!"

• Sea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2018

"After 1 week on cetirizine 10 mg, I developed severe migraine aches behind my right eye. Understand, in 68 years, I have never had a migraine headache. I had two of these attacks in two days, also the beginnings of double vision. I stopped the cetirizine 10 mg, and no more migraines."

• Unk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2021

Cetirizine "This stuff worked great in the beginning for my allergies and overall health. I had terrible itchy skin and post-nasal drip that this medication helped with. It also gave me a healthy appetite, as I used to be underweight at 140 lbs most of my life. Now I’m a tall 217 lbs dude, and I feel healthy! The only negative side effect is this medication gave me terrible muscle pain and joint pain. I no longer take it, but it did help me for quite a while. I still have a healthy appetite and am maintaining the weight after being off of it for so long now."

• Luc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2019

"I started taking this regularly about 8 months ago. I would skip a dose and notice uncontrollable itching. And then the migraines started and the crazy dreams. I quit this drug 5 days ago. The drug also made my eyes incredibly dry. Itching is better, but I had another headache. I rarely had headaches before this medicine. I am 53. Do not take this drug. I hope this goes away soon."

• Ash...
• June 30, 2008

Cetirizine "I've suffered from allergies for 10-15 years. I was prescribed Claritin; all it did was make me tired. I was then prescribed Clarinex, which worked wonders, but after I lost my health insurance, I couldn't afford the prescription anymore. Once I learned Zyrtec had gone OTC, I decided to try it. I've been taking it for about three weeks, and, for the most part, it's working great. To combat the drowsiness, I take it before bed. Still have flares that require other medication, but I'm happy overall."

• Fee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 3, 2022

Cetirizine "Zyrtec works great for allergies, but I was having terrible anxiety. I remembered my son couldn’t take it because it made him so anxious, so I stopped taking it, and most of my anxiety disappeared within a day. Be careful with this medication. It can cause anxiety and depression."

• HBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2019

"I took one standard dose of cetirizine in the evening to combat hay fever symptoms. I felt really drowsy and sedated within an hour and had to go to bed. I then slept for 9 hours. When the alarm woke me, I could not get out of bed, I was dizzy, my eyes couldn't focus, and I felt so tired I couldn't think straight. I went back to bed and slept with crazy dreams until lunchtime. I forced myself to get up at lunchtime, but I feel dreadful, mind fog, and so, so tired. I would rather have hay fever symptoms than this."

• sym...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2020

"I got prescribed cetirizine 20 mg for seasonal allergies, and I find that it really helps with itchy eyes, throat, and sneezing. It doesn't help so much with congestion, but it's not really expected to. I don't find it too sedating, it makes me a little more tired than usual, but nothing compared to a first-generation antihistamine."

• 1o1...
• September 8, 2016

"I used to take it for really bad hay fever, and it used to do the trick, hay fever not so bad. Started taking it again at bedtime, it acts as a sleeping tablet for me. The problem is it seems to last right through the next day, thick head, etc., and general drowsiness. I rarely get through the day without having to sleep, which sometimes I don't mind, but the general sedative effects continue throughout the day."

• Mic...
• August 15, 2020

Cetirizine "This is the only allergy medicine I use after trying multiple ones. It works best for me without any side effects except very slight drowsiness. I also have an anxiety disorder, but this medicine doesn’t affect it at all, if anything, it helps. I take it as needed and sometimes daily if my allergies are bad or if my asthma kicks in. I’ve used it on and off for the last 7 years. My allergist recommended it and said it works the best for me after allergy skin tests."

• tdk...
• February 18, 2009

Cetirizine "I have had allergic rhinitis for as long as I can remember. OTCs worked for a while, but my symptoms always returned. My primary care provider prescribed Zyrtec and Flonase. Though prescribed to use each of these medications on a daily basis, I use them only when required, and the combination halts my attacks within 20 minutes of taking them. I could not be happier with this regimen."

• Way...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2023

"I started taking it and noticed it did help with my allergies. However, I found out that it increased my appetite. I am a 120 lb male, healthy but have always been thin. I started to eat much more, and I thought it was because I had retired. Well, in a few months' time, I now weigh 135. For me, it's a good thing. I went off of it for a while, and my appetite diminished and I lost weight. Now I'm back on it and gaining again. Go figure. After all the years of trying to gain weight and failing, I found a magic pill. LOL, serves two purposes."