Cetirizine and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2019

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "This has been the worst medication I have ever been on. My symptoms are EXTREME upper back pain, brain fog, memory problems, fatigue like crazy, anxiety like crazy, and just an overall feeling that something is terribly not right in my brain. I can’t even tell you how I feel. I feel drugged up, but in the worst possible way. My mom actually looked at me and said I seem off. This med worked great for my post-nasal drip, but I will never take this ever again or any long-acting antihistamine. I did not feel this way at first, it’s like this awful med built up in my body, and I’m noticing symptoms now, and it’s terrible. I can’t get it out of my body fast enough!!"

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2014

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I took Zyrtec on the advice of my ENT for chronic sinusitis from hay fever. It worked wonders on my sinuses, but I cannot function on it due to extreme drowsiness and fatigue. I am going to have to stop taking it!"

• Joa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2019

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "We just moved to Texas, and this March, I started experiencing my first spring/pollen season. Pollen counts were super high, and I was miserable. Go outside for five minutes with the dogs, come inside, and sneeze and blow my nose for an hour. My nose was red and sore from all the blowing. I don't like taking pills if I don't have to, but I needed something. Tried Allegra, but it just barely took the edge off. Claritin did absolutely nothing. As a last resort, I decided to try Zyrtec. It was the only thing I hadn't tried. I gave it a 3 out of 10 because it did make my symptoms stop. No more sneezing, no more itchy nasal passages. But the fatigue is overwhelming. I feel like a walking zombie. I am so tired. Slept for a solid 7 hours last night. Was awake for 2 before I started falling asleep sitting up. Took a 2-hour nap, and I'm still tired. I can't function like this, so I won't be taking it again. At least Benadryl wears off by the time I wake up in the morning."

• fru...
• November 15, 2008

Cetirizine for Urticaria "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."

• SMa...
• June 15, 2016

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I have firstly severe seasonal allergies, and I purchased Zyrtec in hopes that it would be superior to Allegra. The allergy symptoms improved slightly, but the fatigue was terrible. It was so bad that I thought I was coming down with the flu. I slept for five hours straight in the middle of the day after my second dose. This is not acceptable."

• Jen...
• July 18, 2015

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I have been taking Zyrtec for almost 6 years. I was first prescribed Zyrtec to combat my allergies during pregnancy. It worked well except to make me a little drowsy. I only take it seasonally, and it still works well for my symptoms, but the fatigue and drowsiness have gotten worse over time. When I started taking it again for my spring/summer allergies this year, the first week was horrible. Even taking it at night, I felt so fatigued the next day my muscles ached, and I had to fight to stay awake during the day with my 2 little ones at home. I would fall asleep as soon as my husband got home and sleep 14-15 hours. After about a week, my body seemed to adjust and the drowsiness isn't as bad anymore."

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

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "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."

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

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "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 for Allergic Rhinitis "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."

• 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."

• San...
• June 5, 2015

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "Zyrtec made me so sleepy I could barely perform my job. Also felt sluggish and dangerous while driving. All I could think of all day was 'I need to go to sleep.'"