Cetirizine and Itching: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Cli...
• February 21, 2017

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I used Zyrtec for years, not because I wanted to, but because if you stop taking Zyrtec, you itch all over constantly. You don't just itch for 3 days like you do when ceasing other allergy meds, it doesn't stop ever. I was finally able to kick it by decreasing the quantity very gradually for a few months while also taking Benadryl. It can be done."

• Zyr...
• June 9, 2011

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "Make the itching stop. I took this for hay fever, and it worked. BUT, it then caused me to have head-to-toe bumps and itchiness even after stopping taking it. The itching is keeping me up at night. I am hoping to wait it out and never take it again. Also, while I was taking it, my eyes and face got really, really swollen. I am still not sure if this was from an unusually bad allergy season or the Zyrtec, but I am going to guess it is the Zyrtec because my allergies have never caused this before (usually I just have sinus and itchy eyes)."

• Mic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2022

Cetirizine for Urticaria "I stopped taking Zyrtec 2 days ago and was woken up by the uncontrollable itching last night all over my body. It was terrible. I tried to use a topical cream to control the itch, but it got so bad I cut a pill in half, and the itching went away within the hour. I wish I knew about this when I started taking a pill every day for the last couple of years. I am going to wean off slowly and never buy this again. The fact they do not warn the user of this side effect of rebound itching is extremely concerning - who knows what else this is doing to our body."

• flo...
• February 10, 2012

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "All day I have had a runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, throat closing. I finally could not take it anymore. I did some research online to determine the best OTC medication to use, Zyrtec stood out the most. I figured that it must be pretty strong due to the fact that at one time you needed a script to get it. I took my first tab at 3:00 pm, it's now 3:18. I am starting to feel the effects of Zyrtec, I have not sneezed as of yet. My watery nose and eyes are starting to clear up. I'm beginning to breathe easier."

• Anonymous
• February 28, 2012

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "It works better than any other medicine I have tried. Downside is the itching, which is caused by its negative effect on the liver. Therefore, I do not take it every day. I have to wait a day or so in between."

• Ham...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 4, 2022

Cetirizine for Urticaria "I am currently suffering from Zyrtec withdrawal. I have been taking Zyrtec for about 2 years. I never used to take this drug as much as I do now. But because I noticed that I would need to retake the pill after 2-3 days after the last dose, I decided that something didn't add up. I started to believe that it had to be dependency. I am grateful for this forum that it confirmed my suspicion. I started quitting Zyrtec, and I am now on my 5th day... The itching/burning still continues, affecting my hands/neck/scalp/back/chest/legs/feet, pretty much everywhere. I take Benadryl to help relieve the itch before I sleep. Hopefully, my body recovers from the withdrawal from cetirizine, so that my body doesn't start to grow a dependence on the Benadryl!"

• Ble...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2021

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I have been on Zyrtec D for about 10 years. I take this once a day. I have tried to go off this medicine numerous times in order to have allergy testing done, but I can’t get past the itching and horrible withdrawal symptoms. This is currently the longest I’ve been off of it, and I’m on day 3 and in misery. After 24 hours, the itching started. The palms of my hands, feet, legs, and even inside of my mouth are itching. I wish there would have been a warning on their medication because I would not have ever started it. This is horrible. Completely miserable, and all I want to do is take a pill to stop this itching. I have been taking Benadryl, which is helping to make the itching not as intense, but it doesn’t make it go completely away, and the Benadryl makes me so sleepy. Hopefully, not too many more days of this because it is absolutely horrible."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2022

For Allergic Rhinitis "Okay, I had three days of intense hay fever, my right eye was really itchy, and my husband gave me a Zyrtec before I went to bed. The next day I felt really off. I got up at my usual time and did some chores, but my arms and legs felt heavy, and even after a few cups of coffee, I felt bleah... but the worst of it was everything made me ANGRY. I was super irritable about petty things that wouldn't normally upset me. I was hot and uncomfortable. I knew this was not ME--today I feel much better. I decided to look up Zyrtec to see if anyone else had a similar reaction--wow, I am so glad I did--I really had a bad reaction to this drug, and I am glad I had the sense to figure out what had set off the rage. But the sad thing is my husband has been taking one of these a day for over 4 years. During this time, he has had so many sinus infections and problems with urinating that he attributed to getting up there in years and some other psych issues that now make me think that it is the Zyrtec."

• Sne...
• January 14, 2009

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "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 for Allergic Rhinitis "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."

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

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "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!"

• Wel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 24, 2020

For Urticaria "Started taking cetirizine in 2014, at first 5 mg occasionally, then needed a bigger dose a day to control my urticaria. Now, wanting to get retested by my allergist, I tried stopping my antihistamine for 7 days but only lasted 3 days due to severe cetirizine withdrawal syndrome. Incredibly itchy all over my body, like fire ants crawling over me and wanting to jump out of my skin. Itchy eyes, intensely itchy ears, red and swollen palms and soles, and super large welts on my back by day 3. I couldn’t handle the itching anymore and needed to restart the cetirizine. Now I need to try and wean off this drug with the help of another antihistamine, such as Allegra (fexofenadine), so my body won’t be dependent on cetirizine. This drug worked well for my symptoms, but if you try to get off it, like me, you might regret ever starting to take it. No, I do not recommend cetirizine!"

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

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "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!"

• Zyr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2021

Cetirizine for Urticaria "DO NOT take Zyrtec. The withdrawal symptoms of Zyrtec are not worth it when you try to go off of it. Intense, unbearable itching. Hands, arms, legs, feet, chest, scalp. Itching that makes you wish you could shed your skin like some kind of bug. It's been over a week, and I'm still itching. Claritin helped on day 4 and a half pill on day 8 to reduce itching to get me functional again. Although now I'm super dry. Be aware of that if breastfeeding. Only time will tell how long it takes me to get back to normal. Save yourself and don't get started with this med."

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

For Allergic Rhinitis "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."

• Pep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2021

Cetirizine for Urticaria "Had an allergic reaction to Pepcid AC (first time taking it) about half an hour after taking it, my face started to itch and swell, also felt like pins and needles on top of my head. I went to the emergency room, waited about 4 hours to see the doctor, by that time, swelling had gone down and symptoms were improving. They sent me home at 3:30 am, slept for about 2 hours, when I woke up, I had very itchy hives on my legs, arms, and stomach. They would go away during the day, but would come back every night. Day 3 took a Zyrtec and woke up the next day with no hives!! Probably will take a Zyrtec for the next couple of days."

• Ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 27, 2022

For Physical Urticaria "Cetirizine doesn't do anything for my many airborne allergies, but I discovered that it is amazing for food allergies that cause you to itch. I love chocolate. No... seriously... it is one of my greatest pleasures in life. But eating chocolate makes me itch. I rub my ankles raw at night in my sleep, my scalp flakes, it feels like I have ants crawling between my hairs. I also am very allergic to citric acid, which is in most preserved foods. When I consume citric acid, my ears run and itch. When I was a child, I had ear infection after ear infection because my favorite food was oranges, and my folks didn't know it was because of allergies. Then I discovered Zyrtec. The generics don't work quite as well for me, but that's just me. Generics never work the same for me as the original. They may be better or they may be worse, but they aren't the same. Anyway, I have been chopping my pills in half and taking 5 mg of Zyrtec for twenty years now, and it is still working."

• Kan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 27, 2021

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I've been frustrated, in pain, and experiencing irritating skin with an uncontrollable itch over my entire body for the last two weeks. I stopped taking the medicine to prepare for an allergy test. A few days later, I'm itching all over; it's affecting me mentally. It was so bad I took Benadryl daily. Guess what? I wasn't able to take my allergy test. When I told my doctor about the uncontrollable itch, they never mentioned this being a withdrawal symptom from Zyrtec; how is it possible they wouldn't be aware of this? I feel like I'm going crazy. The doctor prescribed prednisone to help, but it's not. My scalp, soles, palms, and entire body are irritated and itching. I've cried. Why is this medicine still on the shelf and doctors not warning their patients?"

• Ray...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2021

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I began taking Zyrtec on a daily basis around 1.5 years ago. For allergy testing, I stopped Zyrtec cold turkey. One day off Zyrtec, I was dealing with intensely itchy hands and fingers, and some dizziness. After 2 days, I was miserable with the itchiness on my arms, neck, chest, stomach, and hands. I have never felt anything like it before. Even the intensity of mosquito and ant bites pales in comparison. Three days off, I was in bed for 5 hours because I was so dizzy I couldn't stand up, and my whole torso was on fire with itch. I called my allergist, who told me to take Benadryl. Thirty minutes after taking the Benadryl, the itchiness and dizziness was completely gone. The next day, I started taking Zyrtec again. I thought that it was all because I was allergic to something in my environment, but I have never had those symptoms occur like that due to seasonal allergies before stopping the Zyrtec."

• gnj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2013

For Allergic Rhinitis "It worked great on my seasonal allergies. I've had a real problem with insomnia. Decided to check for causes, and here I am. I've been extremely sleepy during the day, but chalk that up to the lack of sleep. I can't sleep more than 2 hours nightly. It's killing me! After reading all these reviews, I'm going to skip it today. I hope I don't begin to itch like so many of you did. It's a shame. It made a world of difference to my head and sinuses."

• 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. :("

• Mhd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2021

For Allergic Rhinitis "I started using cetirizine about one year ago. I tried to come off this drug, but like others, my skin became so itchy that I had to use it again. It was like I was addicted to it. I even used corticosteroids, and they didn't help at all. But finally, I found a way to discontinue it, and I want to share it with others that have the same problem. First, you have to cut the pills in half (which will cut the 10 mg dose into 5 mg) and use it for one month. Then cut the half pill again into half (which the quarter of the pill will contain 2.5 mg) and take it for another month. Now you are able to discontinue the drug without any itch. It's important that every time you cut the dose in half, you have to take it for a whole month before moving to the next level so your body can adjust to the new dose."

• Itc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 9, 2021

Cetirizine for Allergic Rhinitis "I had to go off Zyrtec for allergy testing, and the itching was awful. I was able to get prednisone to take, but by nighttime it wore off, and I was up itching. I didn’t want prednisone at night as it wires me, but I guess the itching kept me up anyways. I also take Zyrtec at night. So mornings are very difficult to wake up. I notice now that I’m off it, getting up isn’t as rough. What can I take to replace it that won't put me through awful withdrawal itching? Please help! Don’t take Zyrtec."

• Iam...
• April 9, 2013

For Allergic Rhinitis "I have been on cetirizine for about 2 years now. I am now off it. This medicine can cause severe itching when you come off of it. A full body itch that is completely distracting and makes you want to tear all of your skin off. I have tried to wean myself off of it, lowering my dose from 20 mg to 10 mg per day gradually over time, but this has had little effect. After about 48 hours of not having the medicine, my body goes into full itch. I have to wear winter boots and oven mitts and jean clothing to prevent myself from itching."

• RTe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2014

For Allergic Rhinitis "I've been on this at 10 mg for a few months to fight my hay fever. It has had some effect, my nose isn't running as frequently, but my eyes are watering and are itchy. If anything, it has made my eyes worse. At 10 mg, it doesn't really do much."