I took Zyrtec for 1 year but have now stopped. How long does it stay in the body?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 17, 2023.
Zyrtec will be in your system for at least 49.5 hours (approximately 2 days)
The elimination half-life of Zyrtec is between 8 to 9 hours. It takes approximately 5.5 x elimination half-life for a medicine to be cleared from your system. For Zyrtec this is 5.5 x 9 hours which is about 2 days.
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Does Zyrtec cause weight gain?
A study has shown that Zyrtec (generic name: cetirizine) is associated with weight gain if taken over the long-term. This may occur because antihistamines can block histamine-1 (H-1) receptors which will increase your appetite. Zyrtec may also cause drowsiness in some people and lower their energy expenditure, causing weight gain.
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