Cetirizine and Itching: 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."

• McC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2019

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I took Zyrtec for six months, and then I had to stop five days before my allergy testing. There absolutely needs to be a warning and side effect statement by Zyrtec informing people about going through withdrawal! After 48 hours of stopping it, I had uncontrollable itching all over my body. It was miserable, embarrassing, and literally felt like I was going crazy! You have no control over it. The only way to stop it is to take another Zyrtec... it’s exactly like being addicted to pills! It’s all over the Internet, and the FDA has buried some of the information on their website. It’s a terrible, terrible side effect. The itching is generalized... bottom of your feet, palms of hands, scalp, legs, etc., and sometimes you scratch until you bruise. There really needs to be a class action lawsuit against Zyrtec. Please read about it. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone!!!"

• Dea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 14, 2021

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I stopped Zyrtec after 4 years of fairly continuous usage, because I was getting terrible rhinitis unresponsive to Zyrtec. I now have Zyrtec withdrawal itching - calling it utter nightmare is an understatement. I'm itching everywhere. It's unbearable. I haven't slept for 3 days. I'm on the verge of tears as I type this. This is traumatizing."

• Sle...
• May 30, 2020

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "Quitting Zyrtec is the worst! For 4 days now, I itch everywhere. Really wanting to chop my hands and feet off. Trying not to give in, but this is hell. Once this is under control, I will NEVER use Zyrtec again. Wish I knew about this before I started."

• Jas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2020

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I have been taking Zyrtec daily for allergies for a year or more. I have tried to stop, and like many others, I get extreme and intense itching. Scratching does not help and makes large red spots. It does not stop and is a horrible feeling. I also had chest and back pain after stopping. It's horrible, and you should not take it. Crazy that they allow this drug. Others posted about weight gain and being tired. This is also something that I have and may have been caused by this drug. Anyway, I have been off it for 3 days. I am hoping this nightmare stops soon because it is a horrible feeling."

• RJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 5, 2019

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "Stay away from this drug (Zyrtec) for seasonal allergies - there are better alternatives. While taking Zyrtec, especially if you are older, you may experience dry mouth and accelerated dental caries among others (drowsiness, headache, constipation, and miscellaneous other adverse effects). Upon discontinuing Zyrtec, you may experience disabling generalized and severe itching without a rash or sometimes with a rash. The itching can occur anywhere on your body - but almost always on the palms and soles. The itching is often severe and unrelenting and often is not associated with a rash. The itching can last for days and weeks. The FDA is aware of this 'Zyrtec withdrawal syndrome,' but to date does not appear too concerned about it. Several hundreds of cases have been reported."

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

Cetirizine for Urticaria "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I would like to share my experience using Zyrtec to make anyone who may consider stopping it aware that it can cause severe itching when stopped. Although taking Zyrtec most definitely relieves my allergy symptoms, when I had to stop it because of allergy testing, within a couple of days of stopping Zyrtec, I broke out into an itchy rash that drove me crazy for days and nights. It caused me a lack of sleep for a while. So please, for anyone considering using Zyrtec as your choice of allergy relief medicine, be aware that stopping it could cause severe itching and discomfort."

• Che...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 26, 2020

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "Been trying to quit Zyrtec for 6 years. The Zyrtec withdrawal itch is so intense the longest I've made it without caving and taking a pill is 6 days. 6 days of relentless itching. It's the worst in the palms of my hands. If you haven't yet, don't take Zyrtec. The withdrawal feels like your entire body is covered in mosquito bites. I don't know how long it lasts, but I know it's at least 6 days."

• Can...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2019

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I get monthly allergy shots and was told to take a daily allergy pill as well. Originally, I was taking Claritin but was told by my allergist that I should take Zyrtec because it is stronger. Fine. So I've been taking a Zyrtec every day and needed to go off it to take a new allergy skin test. I lasted 3 days before I started on the Zyrtec again. After 48 hours of not having it in my system, I started with unbearable itching all over. I thought it could be my new dog until I did a Google search and realized no, my body was going through withdrawal symptoms from the Zyrtec. No one ever told me this was a possibility. DO NOT TAKE THIS DAILY FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. Now I have to wean myself off this drug."

• Aan...
• March 13, 2021

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I started taking Zyrtec for seasonal allergies. It seemed to help after a day or two, so I kept taking it. But then I ran out and didn’t take any for a couple of days, and that night became severely itchy all over my hands, head, and chest. I thought I must be allergic to my new cats. I got a new bottle and started right back up the next day, no more itching. I was sure I was allergic to the cats! Then fast forward a few months and I’m consistently feeling very tired, irritable, have horrible headaches, jittery, plus other symptoms, so I looked up the side effects of the medication, and sure enough, they are all listed. I then stumbled upon people talking about the severe itching when stopping taking Zyrtec, and I realized I’m not allergic to my cats, it’s a VERY common thing when you stop taking the drug. I was shocked. I quit cold turkey and am on day 10 without it and am still itchy. It’s been awful, especially on my hands, chest, and scalp. My body feels like it’s burning all over at times."

• Anonymous
• June 27, 2020

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "My doctor gave me a prescription for Zyrtec, and I took it for a month but realized that when I didn’t take my dose, my hands and feet would start itching uncontrollably. So, I took the Zyrtec, and the itching was gone, so that’s when I realized it was the Zyrtec that was causing my itch. So, I went to taking Claritin, and it did the same thing to me as the Zyrtec. Now I’m taking Xyzal, and I can’t stop taking it because my hands start to itch like crazy. Zyrtec was the medicine that started it all. So, I’m trying to wean myself off any of this allergy medicine."

• 55E...
• April 22, 2013

Cetirizine for Urticaria "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
• February 10, 2009

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "Zyrtec worked well to control my seasonal allergies as well as allergies to dust, cats, etc. It seemed to work faster than Claritin. However, when I stopped taking Zyrtec, I developed severe itchiness all over my body. It took a couple of weeks to get through the worst of it, but I am still itching after a month. It seems that my skin has become hypersensitive to detergents, soaps, contact with clothing, etc. It seems that certain other people are experiencing this as well."

• Riv...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 5, 2025

Cetirizine for Allergies "I’ve been using Zyrtec every day for the past 6 years. I used to live in a different place that had a lot of pollen and dust in the air. After moving to a better breathing location, I decided to stop taking Zyrtec. It has been well so far. If you have allergies, I recommend it, but I wasn’t expecting such a bad withdrawal because my whole body is itching like crazy. The most random thing is I can be itching, for example, in my right arm, and out of nowhere, it stops, and then I start itching on my left leg. It's like the itching moves across the whole body. Hopefully, it will stop soon. But yeah, 6 to 7 years taking Zyrtec and never had a problem. The withdrawal is messing me up, but I guess it's normal after your body gets used to something."

• lit...
• March 11, 2009

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "As another poster reported, many people who try to quit taking Zyrtec end up with uncontrollable itching all over. I am one of those people. It stopped helping my allergies, but every time I stop taking it, I itch all over. I never itched before taking it, I only had sinus issues."

• Gai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2015

Cetirizine for Urticaria "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."

• FPR...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2022

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "Been taking Zyrtec for 4-5 years. I started because I was having allergies, and I just continued taking it because I felt it helped, or maybe in my head it did. For years, I’ve had anxiety, depression, weight gain, and high BP. I have come off all other meds and still have these issues. My therapist found out I was taking it and said, 'You need to come off that right away, it’s not good for your anxiety or adrenals.' So I tried to stop taking it, and right away, I started itching like crazy. I googled it, and sure enough, a lot of people have this issue (Zyrtec withdrawal). People actually have gone to rehab to come off this and detox. So I decided to wean off slowly to hopefully help the itching. I went from a whole pill to half to 1/4. Each time I lowered, the itching started. Wheezing, neck ache, headache for days, anxiety, BP went up. The itching is less, but this is horrible. Today was my first day w/o any. I’m hoping this is over soon. I refuse to take it again."

• Ang...
• August 31, 2019

Cetirizine "Horrible. I started taking it because I was getting sinus pressure. Just took an odd one here and there. Then I started getting small hives on my forearms, so I took it more regularly. Then, every time the med wore off, I would break out in horrible itching, welts, and redness everywhere. NOTHING stops it except taking the med. I couldn't even touch my own skin lightly. After 5 days, I had to take it again. I NEVER had skin issues like this before Zyrtec EVER. I'm angry there was no warning. I'm trapped on this medication now, probably for life! It's impossible to get off of... it's not just normal itching, either it's intense fiery stinging hell."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2021

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "Severe itching when trying to stop taking the medicine Zyrtec. Hives that covered my whole body kept me from sleeping and caused me to feel like I had arthritis in my joints. Only mild relief from allergies. Not worth the pain."

• wis...
• March 6, 2015

Cetirizine for Urticaria "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 steroids, 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 as red as can be, and it burns badly and itches. I also take lukewarm baths with a lot of Epsom salt, and the soap I use for hive attacks is homemade lye soap! It must be homemade. I'm curious about how much Zyrtec can you take within 24 hours, safely."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2011

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I have been taking Zyrtec for about 2 years for hay fever. I have noticed that it doesn't seem to be working as well for my symptoms as it did at first. I stopped taking it 3 days ago, and now I am experiencing severe itching on my hands and feet."

• Itc...
• April 17, 2017

Cetirizine for Urticaria "Just writing this in case it helps another person to know what their 'trigger' was. I was given a cup of artichoke tea for the first time. Several hours later (during the night), I started scratching my shoulders and upper body. Itching stopped for a few hours during the next day and reoccurred later that evening and spread to many other areas of my body as I took myself to the emergency department of the hospital. I was given one Prednisolone and two Zyrtec tabs in the very early hours of the morning. Now, six hours later and (after a great sleep), I have awoken to no visible hives and no itching at all. I will get a script for Zyrtec later on today just in case it comes back. But, fingers crossed it will not do so."

• Tam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 24, 2021

Cetirizine for Urticaria "I'm absolutely miserable right now... I've been using Zyrtec for almost 10 years because when I was younger, I developed a condition called dermatographia. When I would lightly scratch my skin, it puffed up and created hives. The doctor told me to take Zyrtec, and sure enough, my skin wouldn't puff up anymore. I continued to blindly take Zyrtec for almost a decade. Periodically, I would miss a day or two and would get very itchy, I thought this was my dermatographia coming back. What I didn't realize is that the itchiness was a withdrawal symptom of cetirizine. I probably could have stopped taking Zyrtec YEARS ago. It's been 4 days since I stopped, and I have EXTREME itchiness everywhere on my body, even inside my mouth. I'm so sad to read this is a problem for others as well. I want the itchiness to STOP. If anyone is going through the same struggle, write a comment. I'm so upset that there is no warning about this miserable side effect anywhere...."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "I'm a 21-year-old female. The worst allergy medicine I've ever taken, next to Levocetirizine. Besides being sedated and anxious, I most recently have been waking up with hives, shortness of breath, swollen eyelids and top lip, itching and burning skin, and panic attacks. I discontinued this medicine after like 3 months of taking it almost daily, I was absolutely miserable. I will never take this garbage again. I'm on day 2 of not taking it, and I'm starting to feel better."