Zyrtec and Depression: What Users Say

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

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

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

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."

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

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

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

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. :("

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2019

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."