Cetirizine for Urticaria User Reviews

• Itchy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 27, 2020

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I have been on a combination of Allegra/Pepcid in the morning and Zyrtec/Pepcid in the evening for the past 4 years. I developed chronic idiopathic dermatographism after I had my son. I had a negative and very itchy reaction to the epidural, but I've not been able to pinpoint whether that was the initial cause of my current problem or if there is an underlying issue still at hand. Five doctors have not been able to find out what is wrong with me. I've had allergy testing, blood tests galore, thyroid examinations, etc. I'm now at the point where I don't know if Zyrtec just works so great or if I'm so addicted to it that I can't get off of it. Every night when it's time to take it, I feel like (what I would assume) a person coming off hardcore drugs feels like. The itching is bad. I'm now on day two of trying to detox myself from it, and I'm losing my mind. Never take this stuff. Ever. I wish I would have never started."

• clebrun
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2013

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I had hives for 3 weeks, and I was completely miserable! I was put on steroids for 3 days, and they came back as soon as I quit them. I was taking Benadryl every day and was still so itchy. About ready to go nuts, I researched and researched things to try. Into week 3 with the hives, I started taking Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12 and drinking green tea every day. Took a Zyrtec one morning, and my hives were cleared by evening. I have been taking 1 a day for 3 days now, and I'm hive-free, feeling great."

• naomi
• June 9, 2013

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I've had dermatographism or chronic urticaria for about 1 year before I started taking Zyrtec. I started taking Zyrtec in January, and now I forgot I even have the skin problem! When I first tried this product, the side effects made me extremely sleepy and thirsty. It dried my body out. But the side effects went away after prolonged use. Now I feel like a normal person!"

• JGofC...
• August 19, 2014

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "The feeling of being on fire started when I was 17, and the daily attacks didn't stop until I found Cetirizine HCL (Zyrtec) some 5 years ago. I'm now 50, I take a tablet every morning, and I'm good. For me, it's a miracle pill."

• brkano
• April 13, 2015

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I would have hives outbreaks occasionally and went to see an allergist who just told me it had nothing to do with food and to take 1 Zyrtec, 2 if they were bad. I had an outbreak and they went down, but it took a while to work. I decided to get a second opinion with another allergist who ran tests and finally told me to take a Zyrtec every day for life. He said if I felt an outbreak wanting to come, to take a second one. I am happy to report this has actually worked, I have gone 7 months with no hives outbreaks! It feels wonderful to have my life back without worries of an outbreak! Please talk to your doctor about this recommendation my allergist gave me. I hope it helps someone out there."

• 55Epi...
• April 22, 2013

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I just started Zyrtec 10 mg one week ago for allergies. I have been plagued by intense palm itching with various other areas, including my arms, ankles, and legs, which developed into hives. I am happy to say... GONE NOW! Thank goodness! It was maddening, and my doctor never got excited about it! I'm so happy now!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 25, 2013

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I've had chronic urticaria for over 2 years now, and out of all the allergy medicines, Zyrtec works the best. My hives have become much harder to manage in the past year, so I need to take twice the Zyrtec I used to, but it still works much better than Allegra or Claritin for me."

• emmmm...
• February 1, 2018

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I’m giving Zyrtec a 2 rating because the only good thing about it is it gets the job done (for the most part). I was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria two summers ago, and the only thing that popped up on my allergy blood tests was a low level of thyroid hormones. I was then also diagnosed with Hashimoto's, which later turned into hypothyroidism. I’m stuck taking Zyrtec every day, and if I try to get off or miss a dose, I’m covered in hives and my eyes, lips, and face are swollen. I cannot for the life of me get off of Zyrtec. Please consider safer drugs that your body won’t become dependent on! I’m trapped."

• Cindy...
• August 6, 2014

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "My husband has been having hive outbreaks, which seem to have gotten progressively more severe over the last 8 months. His doctor has been changing medications, trying to find the source. Husband is on blood pressure and statins. Benadryl is not as effective anymore, plus taking it every six hours makes him sleep all the time. I am so glad I found this website! Talked with the doctor about trying one of these antihistamine treatments, and she agreed. It has worked! No more hives! Fantastic! He has a life again. Who knew that a 10mg pill could make such a difference."

• Katho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 20, 2014

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I have had hives a few times now. I just got done with a horrible case from penicillin. Took prednisone for several days. Some hives appear in the morning. Now I control with one Zyrtec per day. It works for me. No side effects. Great product."

• anony...
• April 18, 2013

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I have had chronic idiopathic urticaria and demographism for the last 14 years with no identifiable cause. 10 mg daily works great and keeps the hives away. The drowsiness subsides after prolonged use."

• allhi...
• August 15, 2016

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "My bf had hives for 3 weeks, more often than not. Claritin did really nothing. Allegra nothing. Benadryl helped some. I was scared he'd have an anaphylaxis reaction. I bought him vit. C, B, D, quercetin, probiotic, a DAO enzyme, and nothing was working great. Today is Monday, 6:11 PM. He started Zyrtec Saturday at 11 AM. He has red huge hives on his back, legs, and arms. Well, I'm happy to say... the Zyrtec seems to be working... they are gone. We've even eaten normal and he's even had a couple of drinks. Also, he's taking Pepcid. But it's been over two days of no hives. I think the Zyrtec is a miracle."

• GmWat...
• July 12, 2017

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I recently had testing for chronic urticaria with Hashimoto (with normal thyroid levels). And came out positive, which means I have to deal with hives and swelling. At first, I was only taking Benadryl, but it only put me to sleep and I would wake up with the same symptom. So my specialist suggested I take one Zyrtec a day, but I was still having symptoms two times a week (remind you I was having hives and swelling every single day from morning to night), so even though I was having symptoms two times a week, it was a relief, but I was looking for complete relief. So then again, my specialist suggested that instead of taking one 10 mg Zyrtec pill, I would move on to taking two 10 mg Zyrtec pills a day. And thankfully, it has changed my life! I don't get drowsy!"

• Zyrte...
• August 3, 2016

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "Had hives nearly every day for 3 weeks (at first, I thought I was getting bug bites). Went to the doc, and she told me to try Zyrtec. Last night was the first time in 3 weeks I've been hives and itch-free. It's amazing. I just wish I could find out what's causing the outbreaks!"

• Aller...
• March 14, 2012

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "As someone who uses Zyrtec as one of two primary treatments (the other being Benadryl), I can vouch that Zyrtec gets the job done as described. Twenty-four hours of itch-free and low drowsiness is very suitable for me. If you are someone having withdrawals from Zyrtec, then you don't take it right. It only occurs when your body needs the Zyrtec in order for your brain to be chemically balanced. This usually occurs if you take it based on a schedule rather than when you notice your real symptoms. If you listen to your doctor and/or the label, then you will be like me, as someone who is happy to be symptom-free."

• Gailfsu
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2015

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "Zyrtec never helped my runny nose or itchy eyes, but it eliminated about 90 percent of my hives, and for me, that might as well be a hundred percent. My hives came on gradually and worsened over the years. It got to the point where my skin burned and itched pretty much 24/7. When I started taking Zyrtec regularly, I noticed immediate improvement. Before, I had just assumed my post-shave rash was normal, but now I know it was my hives' response."

• Craig
• September 19, 2017

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I was diagnosed with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria 3 months ago. I have dermographism, where my skin itches during the day, and if I scratch it, I get terrible red patches on my body which stay for an hour or two and looks terrible. I tried every single second generation antihistamine and non of them helped. Zyrtec finally gave me the relief I wanted. I take one pill in the morning with no side effects and I almost don't feel any itch during the day. Since I don't itch, I don't need to scratch myself and don't get hives. I give 8 starts because it doesn't completely cure CIU, but it helps me to manage my symptoms."

• Ozjan
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2015

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "After traveling to Japan in Sep 2015 and enjoying a tremendous quantity of seafood sashimi, BBQ Wagyu beef, and wonderful cheesecake, I woke up the next morning with hives literally covering the outer parts of both of my front arms and partially between my shoulder and neck. I have never experienced an allergic reaction like this in my life (by the way, I am 52 years old). After doing intensive checkups, blood tests, etc., finally, one of the brilliant doctors gave me Zyrtec. I have been taking it (one a day) for two weeks. I still don't know (my doctor either) what triggered these ugly hives, but eventually all disappeared and went to hell. I highly recommend it. I agree about the side effects, especially causing impairment in my thinking."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2011

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I suffer from acute symptoms of psoriasis and Koebner's phenomenon with severe itching. I also have asthma, coughing constantly. I'm newly diagnosed with psoriasis, so I couldn't figure out what was going on with the severe itching and what was triggering my rashes. After seeing five other doctors, I went to an allergist, and he suggested taking Zyrtec. I didn't think it would help, but it really does. It doesn't cause me drowsiness, but it wears off after 12 hours, and my itching from psoriasis comes back. My rheumatologist suggested taking one in the morning and one at night. It helps with the severe itching. It stops my coughing as well."

• TheBe...
• November 20, 2015

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "52 y/o. Well, I have had hives for 2, almost 3 weeks now on my face, scalp, and neck. Cause undetermined, and I never had them before. I was put on a Prednisone pack that I quit due to the extreme side effects. A sedative. I used a heap of ear and eye drops. Was taking Benadryl. I just wanted to claw my skin off. The welts were painful and then became horrifically and insanely itchy. One or three would go away, only to be replaced by four, eyes and even ears swelled shut. Tried Zyrtec after the 3rd doc visit. Felt good! Itching stopped. Still some swelling around one eye, but given how bad it was, this is like a miracle. Just took a second one today and though still a little residual swelling, 95% better. No side effects either. This drug is a godsend."

• Rothive
• March 1, 2016

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I had first hive outbreak at age 63, off and one, lasting for a year. I visited the allergy doctor once and was advised to "enjoy life more and don't do too much! It could be stress-related". I did not take any medicine. Then for one and half a year, I was fine. For the recent 3 months, I have been suffering from the second chronic hive outbreak. They are acting up on my face, lips, eyes, and face which are new and more severe symptoms. At the same time, my older son had the same outbreak and has been taking Zyrtec daily by his doctor's recommendation. I have been asking a total of 13 pills from him. Firstly I took one a day for 4 days. They were very effective on me. Each pill can stop the hives for 3 days."

• frust...
• November 15, 2008

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I have had cholinergic urticaria for a few years now. I break out into hives when I start exerting myself physically or it's hot. After taking Zyrtec 1/2 an hour before my workout, I didn't experience that irritating itchy feeling all over, nor did I get hives. My skin got red, but no bumps. I don't care as long as I don't get the irritation, which works to create an aversion to exercise. I took a 5 mg dosage. After my workout, I went to sleep at 7 p.m., woke up for an hour, and then went to bed at 9 p.m., only to sleep the whole following day. I was unusually fatigued and sleepy. I'm going to try 2.5 mg today to see if that helps."

• wish2...
• March 6, 2015

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I've had chronic hives for years and until a doctor in the emergency room found exactly what to do.. within 2 hours, it was gone. She hooked me up to an IV and gave me a high dose of steriods, not the medrol dose pack. 20 MG 3 times a day (after I went home)but she also gave me Zyrtec 10 mg, and Prilosec. Apparently the Prilosec helps also. But I still get hives every 2 months. When I get hives, I welt up with a rash from head to toe, my skin is red as can be, and it burns badly and itches , also take lukewarm baths with a lot of Epsom salt,and the soap I use for hives attack is home made lye soap! It must be home made, I'm curious about how much Zyrtec can you take within 24 hr. Period safely"

• Jppp
• December 29, 2017

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I suffer from chronic hives. Zyrtec doesn't really help anything at all. I've had hives everyday for 2 years until my doctor told me about a shot called XOLAIR. I take 2 shots per month and it made my hives completely go away. I was on the shots for about a year. After 1 and a half years, my hives came back. I'm already in the process to go back on the shots again. I really recommend anyone with chronic hives to ask about XOLAIR."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 4, 2020

Zyrtec (cetirizine) "I have been using Zyrtec for about a year now for my allergies and hives. I have gotten no relief from my allergies or the hives when taking Zyrtec, basically it does nothing for me at all. I was even told by my doctor during an allergy attack to take it twice a day and I still got no relief."