Cetirizine and Depression: What Users Say

• Ear...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2019

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I am a nurse who has been taking this for seasonal allergies and I wanted to write my review on Zyrtec. I noticed depression in mood, weight gain, sluggish bowels, and some urinary retention. All my seasonal allergy symptoms did not subside to my satisfaction. When getting off Zyrtec, you may experience uncontrollable itching that you did not have before taking the med. I'll tell you how to get off it without the itch. Start taking 10mg of Claritin each night for two nights, then cut Claritin in half to 5mg and take for three more nights, then stop taking Claritin. That takes the itch away, and Claritin does not have the withdrawal itch. Once you stop Claritin and Zyrtec, you will quickly lose any weight you gained, and your mood should improve. Hope that helps."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2020

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I was prescribed Zyrtec by my doctor when I was very young for my seasonal allergies. A few years later, I started taking it every day, and this kept going on for 4 years (daily usage). I will not deny the fact that Zyrtec is the most effective allergy pill I have EVER taken, and that even though it doesn’t completely relieve me from ALL my allergy symptoms, it is fast and effective. However, nothing is perfect. I decided to stop it because I’ve become too dependent on it. I’m sure it’s going to be a tough journey, but I’m willing to do this for the sake of my body. It makes you drowsy, affects your sleep (I have always been a light sleeper, but Zyrtec made it impossible for me to feel like I slept well), causes depression, and worsens my anxiety. I also read that it causes weight gain. I was 60 KG before and was noticeably slimmer. I gained 10 KG in the span of 4 years. Itching is better than being physically dependent on something as strong as Zyrtec."

• Bun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "It is an awesome med for allergies. But it made me depressed. Even with taking the children’s liquid and using a small amount, it still did. I worry about people taking this and not realizing it can make them depressed. In prescriptions, it has to tell you to watch out for changes in mood and sadness, but not for over the counter. As for drowsiness, taking the children’s liquid helped with that."

• Pat...
• June 23, 2019

For Allergic Rhinitis "I agree with the comments about making you drowsy and sleepy. Seemed to be okay with half a tablet, but as soon as I started taking a full tablet as the high grass pollen season approached, it left me a complete mess. Sleeping for 9 hours a night with 2-hour naps in the day. At work, I had to have power naps in the bog so I wouldn’t collapse at my desk. My brain was foggy, and it drains and sucks the life out of you to a point that I almost felt depressed."

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

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "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…."

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

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "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."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2021

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I have taken this for the first time ever and feel absolutely awful. I lost all appetite, am so tired and lethargic, and have been so itchy tonight that I cannot sleep. I will never take this ever again. I just hope it leaves my body very soon. It did not even seem to help my allergies at all. I was so moody and depressed from this medicine on top of everything else. Never again. :("

• Che...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 16, 2023

For Urticaria "I have a love-hate relationship with this drug. My chronic hives/urticaria and angioedema made my quality of life abysmal, low energy, pain, mental fatigue, and low self-esteem with my appearance. I have had hives for 2+ years now. Taking this does help. I recall taking a lower dose at the beginning, but as time passed my condition would go back to how it was, and the dosage I took would be upped. As of Feb 16, 2023, I'm taking a huge dose to have a lower amount of hives. I plan to up it again as the hives swelling are interfering with my quality of life again. As it's paid out of pocket, but it's the only thing that works for me."

• cae...
• August 8, 2011

For Allergic Rhinitis "Cured my persistent cough, made me drowsy, but also suffered from insomnia and made me feel depressed, wanted to cry at the slightest negative thought or comment, most unlike me. When I stopped taking pills, cough recurred, depression subsided."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2019

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I have been on Zyrtec for 2 weeks. My throat is scratchy all the time. I am depressed, and I’ve gained about 4 lbs."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2021

For Allergic Rhinitis "Dreadful stuff. Made me anxious first, then depressed. Had no effect on my rhinitis."