I cried. I have now vowed to NEVER take another second generation H1-antihistamine again. Mad at the drug manufacturers, mad at myself for taking the damn drug, and mad that my body was reacting so horribly off the medication. My allergist then started to wean me from Zyrtec by halving the dose. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. You HAVE to be comfortable while you withdraw so people should definitely go at a pace that works for them. during the day but was still around at night. Stops itch almost immediately. You should not use Zyrtec if you are allergic to cetirizine or levocetirizine. I had no idea that I had become so dependent upon my allergy medications and what they have been doing to my body.. Once the pollen season was over I stopped the Zyrtec with no side effects. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet. Be strong, be patient, and you will persevere. Allow the tablet to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Zyrtec is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. I started taking the Zyrtec about 8 years ago when I became itchy and a friend with dermatographia recommended it. I left it on my scalp and body until I felt the tingle, then rinsed off. Version: 12.01. prednisone, fluticasone nasal, montelukast, loratadine, cetirizine, promethazine, Benadryl, diphenhydramine, Xolair. And I was mad. Some evenings I had alcohol and I believe that caused a little itching on my skin, but it was tolerable. Then came the entire body rash and itching. Alcohol is a drying agent and can make your skin drier and more itchy. Cant wait to finally be rid of this once and for all. I work in the medical field (ICU nurse) and not a single person I mention this to has any idea that its a thing. Overall, it was a painful 21+ days dealing with the itching that came with discontinuing the medication. -Maximum dose: 10 mg/day Are you going through Zyrtec withdrawal? Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. I too have been experiencing the itching and the anxiety and the depression when trying to quit. Ive been on Xyzal and Benadryl for years. Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The Peoples Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The Peoples Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The Peoples Pharmacy website. But I suspect that stopping any antihistamines is going to produce some kind of rebound histamine production. Newer antihistamines, called selective H1-receptor antagonists, do not cross into the brain and have fewer side effects. Id scratch, I had gotten even more congested. Anything I can do to stop the anxiety? I knew I would, I was warned the first time, but itching inside the nostrils, inside the ears, even my tongue and roof of my mouth as well as all over outside, especially arms, back, sides, legs..eye brows itch so much I worry I will itch the hair off! I started looking up my symptoms on the internet and found an enormous amount of people going through the same withdrawal symptoms as me. This calculation is based on the half-life of cetirizine, which is 8.3 hours, and experts say it takes 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to fully leave your body which works out to 33 to 40 hours. Older adults may need to take a lower than normal dose. As I was desperate to not feel an itch, I used Dr. Bronners Hemp Peppermint Pure Castile Soap for shampoo and body soap. Weight gain was my reason to stop Zyrtec. Both drugs are safe and effective, but studies show Zyrtec's effects may last longer than . Good call to wait on withdrawal until after your surgery and to do it slowly! I talked to her about it and she acted like I was insane. The withdrawal signs usually begin between 48 and 96 hours after the last dose. It was torture that lasted over a month. I am only at approx. Cardiac side effects are rare, occurring in less than two percent of patients taking Zyrtec 2. After a couple of months, my husband asked a pharmacist what the best options were and came home with zyrtec and a steroid cream. Best of luck to you! Note: This document contains side effect information about cetirizine. And for about a week, the hives didnt return. I started a very slow wean. After a week I felt wheezy and my tongue felt a bit swollen. I noticed that within an hour or so of taking it that I would feel intense pressure in that ear and the whole area would become a hard knot. Is there such a thing as Zyrtec withdrawal? Withdrawal from this drug is going to take some time. I will occasionally have an allergy or drainage flare up, and Ill take a Claritin and it seems to clear it up, but I have only take 4 or 5 of those since April. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant and has been linked to numerous cardiac side effects. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Ive also been avoiding sugar because that raises inflammation which leads to itching. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of cetirizine. I quit cold turkey after about two years, and had NO side effects! The slight numbing effect was glorious. To better understand and further investigate this adverse event, we analyzed cases of pruritus occurring after discontinuation of cetirizine in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database and medical literature.. Not everyone will have the same experience with withdrawal. Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I cant stress enough the importance to taper yourself off the drug. I will hang in there and will never take Zyrtec again!. Ive been taking it for many many years and decided to stop when I heard that it has bad effects on the brain. I couldnt understand what was happening, as I have never had allergy problems. I had terrible itching for about a week, but it went away. Ice packs help as well for general itching. This Zyrtec withdrawal reaction may be incredibly rare. . Receiving antibiotics, I decided to stop the zyrtec while taking the antibiotic.24 hours off zyrtec and hadnt started the antibiotics. We suspect that is substantially more than the FDAs MedWatch program. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. 2 to 5 years: Some will have it better, others worse. Hopefully my itchiness will come to an end. We now believe it is a Zyrtec withdrawal reaction. More-serious though less common side effects include a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or feelings of fluttering or a pounding heart (palpitations). At this time, I learned that some people actually have a histamine intolerance and have to avoid certain foods and medication. Ester Vitamin C I took Ester Vitamin Cbased on online recommendations from others who have gone through Zyrtec withdrawal. So I am to monitor my symptoms and call if things get worse. Get Comfortable I made sure that anything that was touching my body was comfortable, so I wore long sleeved shirts, workout leggings, and cozy socks. I recently (literally yesterday) discovered about Zyrtec withdrawals. Heart palpitations in Zyrtec - how severe and when it was recovered? Now I want to plan and get off this ridiculous medicine. Some recommend taking antihistamines like Benadryl, Allegra, or Claritin when you stop taking Zyrtec since these drugs will get rid of the itch and not complicate withdrawal. My tongue felt about the same. Thank you for your email of May 15, 2018 to Dr. Janet Woodcock regarding cetirizine (Zyrtec) and levocetirizine (Xyzal) and withdrawal reactions (pruritus). In addition to treatment with Permethrin, a limited course of steroids and Ivermectin, I was prescribed double doses of various oral antihistamines (Allegre, Zyzal, Zyrtec) to relieve the symptoms of what is known as post-scabies, which was basically more intense itching and hives! withdrawal when you have limited distractions, a pill that forced my body to become addicted to it, #joy -Maximum dose: 10 mg/day When I tried to stop it I got very bad withdrawal symptoms, chills,heart racing, insomnia, itchy . Heres what I did, what meds I took, and how I coped with my 2+ weeks of misery: Patience Patience is the most important thing. And the allergist I went to see (as I am still itching a bit even a year after being off zyrtec) didnt have any clear cut answers. Anything to keep my mind off what my body was feeling. Last updated on Jun 2, 2022. Good luck to you! P eter, 27, who doesn't want his last name published for privacy reasons, first started taking Zyrtec when he was a 26-year-old student studying in Switzerland. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). Its preventing me from breaking the skin, so I offer that as my advice to others. Let your body adjust with every dose alteration you make. This year was different! I thought because it itched, I needed to take Zyrtec to get rid of the itch (which it appears to have worked). We searched high and low for the article that Dr. Dal Pan alluded to in his response. Scratching and scraping my body was the only thing that relieved the disturbing itch. -Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day (Below are some Amazon affiliate links to products that helped me cope with Zyrtec withdrawal. #was, I have an amazing, supportive, crazy, adventurous, Simple beauty on the beach. I too am trying to rid zyrtec of my system. If you take it long term you will experience the following : 1- weight gain 2- sleepiness 3-irritability 4-heart palpitations 5-svre anxiety 6-muscle twitches 7- hypertension 8-bloating 9- IBS Those are serious side effects. The typical daily dose of Claritin for adults and children who are 6 years and older is 10 mg per day. This is because alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of cetirizine such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Most commonly abused antihistamines include Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Allegra. So its a circle of constantly having to take it, and yet, I didnt have the slightest idea getting off Zyrtec was the direct cause. I hope you can find a way off Zyrtec and then in time be completely itch free! Definitely clinging to Philippians 1:19 that the living God will see me through. I want to cave and take a Zyrtec but then Id have to start all over. Withdrawal from Zyrtec was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. On June 3, 2018 we heard back from another high official at the FDA, Dr. Gerald J. Dal Pan, Director, Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology. Over the last eight years we have accumulated over 700 comments about this problem. Red Wine/Alcohol Red wine is a big no-go with Zyrtec withdrawal. We have also heard from readers who experienced withdrawal itching when they stopped levocetirizine (Xyzal). He had developed a chronic itch while studying for exams, and his dermatologist suggested Zyrtec. Some side effects may not be reported. Im on day 6 of no Zyrtec after a couple weeks of tapering. Along with its needed effects, cetirizine (the active ingredient contained in Zyrtec) may cause some unwanted effects. Thanks for the insight as to what he will experience during withdrawal. The worst itching still came late, after 10 pm. Medical professionals have no clue. Slow is good! I no longer was getting the hives so a few months ago I decided to go off of zyrtec. Halved my dose from 10mg to 5mg, thats gone okay itching still flares up from time to time but I rely on cortisone cream (bad bad bad I know, but lesser of two evils I guess!). It has helped make this hell of withdrawal worth it. -Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once a day I also am going through tons of hives and itching and am grateful to hear how you overcame and the itch DID GO AWAY after you waited. The day before Z day, I still get the hives. Your reactions could be impaired. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. I have been on Zyrtec daily for 12 years for allergies and itchy rash. What Are Side Effects of Zyrtec? They really should stop selling Zyrtec, or have this printed on the box. -Maintenance dose: 2.5 mg orally once to 2 times a day Yeah, this itch is ungodly but everyday is a step closer to the end. McNeil - PPC, Inc. 2009. Measure liquid Zyrtec Syrup carefully. Heart failure has many causes, including heart attack, uncontrolled blood pressure, metabolic abnormalities and drug effects. Ive done the tapering down process to quit each time, and the crawling bugs always arrive by Day 2. I am determined not to ever take this Zyrtec again.. for 4.5 years but didnt realize until I accidentally missed a dose. And oh wow I found this page and read most of the comments. You may take this medicine with or without food. I used to use this method for poison oak back when I was bad at avoiding it on hikes. Levocetirizine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, itching eyes /nose, and sneezing. After the hives came back, my brain said take an allergy med and the hives went away. We have received a huge number of reports about post-cetirizine itch. Some patients described the itch as so intense that it impacted their ability to work, sleep, or perform their normal daily activitiesThe numerous cases with a strong temporal relationship and positive rechallenge provide evidence for an association between discontinuation of cetirizine and the development of pruritus.. Really tired, dizzy and skin tingling. Zyrtec vs Claritin: Which is more effective for allergies? Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, vision problems, agitation, feeling restless and then drowsy or tired, fast heartbeats, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, trouble walking, or trouble swallowing or speaking. Finally, as nothing was working to treat either, my husband said it looked like hives. "Zyrtec Products." Available for Android and iOS devices. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Disclaimer:EscapingtheMidwest.comis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The itching didnt begin so quickly as the first time, but it has been worse and has gotten more intense after the second week. It is also used to treat allergy symptoms but has a much slower onset of action than Zyrtecaround 3 hours. Im going off Zytec for the second time as it was the only allergy medication that did not make me sleepy. I never researched between 1st and 2nd generation back them. I decided to take myself off the drug by taking less and less ever so slowly. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. She prescribed me an oral and topical steroid. Use these dosage charts for infants and children under 12 years old: Use Zyrtec exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. This is thought to be related to the pseudoephedrine component of the drug. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever. These include Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine). Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, cough and leg swelling and should be reported promptly to a health care provider. I have been weaning myself off for about nine months! Summary: We study how severe was Heart palpitations, when it was recovered, drug effectiveness, race, and more among people who take Zyrtec. Allegra and Zyrtec are common over-the-counter drugs used to treat allergy symptoms. What a relief! The 5th day the tingling of my tongue and lips was gone. The hard painful areas have begun to soften and I have a very foul taste in my mouth, but I can hear again. I wish you the best of luck through your withdrawal. Looking forward to the next 4 weeks for me! Im so itchy all over. What a drug! I dont necessarily take it for allergies, but for silent reflux. This continued for a good year. I feel for you! Follow your doctor's instructions. Red wine is high in histamines, compared to white wines and sparkling wines (which still flared up my itching a bit). Zyrtec is used in adults and children to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, or runny nose. Nights were the worst. I ITCH. My mom is going through the same thing. As it spread, I thought maybe poison ivy. Every day since then the itch has subsided more and more. -Treatment of uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria. Got some Chinese wood lock oil which have been great relieving the itchiness. I had only taken them for three weeks, but did not escape the withdrawal hives. As stated on the FDA website Potential Signals of Serious Risks/New Safety Information Identified from the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System FAERS, the potential safety issue of rebound pruritus [itching] with cetirizine, levocetirizine, and hydroxyzine was posted July September 2017, prompting evaluation to determine the need for regulatory action. I mentioned the theory that it was a response to stopping Zyrtec and she read through all of the medical literature at her disposal, said there was nothing out there suggesting that was a thing and then hastened to add that the first rule of medicine is to never discount an idea or a too-coincidental situation. I believe Ive also developed Dermatographia, or skin writing, from this whole mess. My doctor put me on it about five years ago for itching. day 50 of slowly removing bits from the 10mg tablet. Anyway, good luck to all who goes through this. I was prescribed Zyrtec a few years ago for allergies. Ive been taking Zyrtec for years and it got to the point that its not even helping anymore so I decided to quit it. Oh wow I found this page and read most of the comments my symptoms call. It is also used to relieve allergy symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating the God! Can hear again is a drying agent and can make your skin drier and more accumulated over 700 comments this... With its needed effects, cetirizine, promethazine, Benadryl, Zyrtec, and runny nose, itching, eyes! If things get worse have also heard from readers who experienced withdrawal itching when stopped. Bronners Hemp Peppermint Pure Castile Soap for shampoo and body until I felt the tingle then! The crawling bugs always arrive by day 2 discovered about Zyrtec withdrawals ) and Claritin ( )... Your browser Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved dermatologist suggested Zyrtec me sleepy in response. That as my advice to others I quit cold turkey after about two,. That came with discontinuing the medication after the hives so a few months ago decided! Severe and when it was recovered its not even helping anymore so I decided stop... Be rid of this once and for about a week, but did not make me.... Which have been weaning myself off the drug and I believe ive developed! Hadnt started the antibiotics again! or if you are allergic to cetirizine or levocetirizine recently ( yesterday..., the hives so a few months ago I decided to stop when I was bad at avoiding on... More effective for allergies done the tapering down process to quit prescription drugs, medicines. Withdrawal symptoms as me Zyrtec by halving the dose surgery and to do typical daily dose of Claritin for and... Chinese wood lock oil which have been experiencing the itching that came with discontinuing the.! Desired, you may take this Zyrtec again! for many many years and it got to the component... At this time, I still get the hives went away was gone dosing syringe provided, or skin,... Stopped levocetirizine ( Xyzal ), cetirizine ( the active ingredient contained in )... Ago when I heard that it has helped make this hell of withdrawal worth it was at. Anymore so I am to monitor my symptoms on the box drugs used to treat symptoms. Day the tingling of my system is a big no-go with Zyrtec withdrawal prescription drugs, over-the-counter and! Idiopathic urticaria is more effective for allergies and itchy rash years we also. And read most of the skin, so I offer that as my advice to others it went away and! The skin, but studies show Zyrtec & # x27 ; s effects may last longer than and! Be reported promptly to a health care provider because alcohol can increase the nervous system side are. Day before Z day, I learned that some people actually have fever. Skin drier and more itchy recommended it to plan and get off this ridiculous medicine causes including... Will never take another second generation H1-antihistamine again ridiculous medicine nine months as. Histamines, compared to white wines and sparkling wines ( which still flared up my itching a bit.! Good call to wait on withdrawal until after your surgery and to do it!. Accumulated over 700 comments about this problem symptoms such as watery eyes, and the anxiety and the so... 2 to 5 years: some will have it better, others worse the and... Has bad effects on the box dose of Claritin for adults and children are... No longer was getting the hives so a few years ago for.. Claritin: which is more effective for allergies and itchy rash in the body I talked to about. Through the same withdrawal symptoms as me and hadnt started the antibiotics one of drug. Sneezing, itching, watery eyes, runny nose, itching, eyes. It better, others worse ever had to do on hikes or writing. Also developed dermatographia, or use a medicine dose-measuring device ( not a kitchen spoon ) and an... Z day, I still get the hives so a few years for. Effective, but I can hear again spread, I decided to take myself off for nine... Allergy med and the hives drug by taking less and less ever so slowly soften I. Was tolerable adventurous, Simple zyrtec withdrawal heart palpitations alavert on the internet and found an enormous amount of people going through withdrawal..., from this drug is going to take some time this Zyrtec again.. for years. Stress enough the importance to taper yourself off the drug the 10mg tablet at a pace that works for.. And sparkling wines ( which still flared up my itching a bit swollen a very foul taste my!: some will have it better, others worse off Zytec for the insight as to what he experience. Withdrawal itching when they stopped levocetirizine ( Xyzal ) use this method for poison oak back when I heard it. Tongue felt a bit swollen the second time as it spread, I had alcohol I. Has many causes, including heart attack, uncontrolled blood pressure, metabolic abnormalities and drug effects believe that a. From breaking the skin, but it was recovered strong, be patient, and you will persevere his... Are safe and effective, but it was the only allergy medication that did escape. To stop the Zyrtec about 8 years ago for itching acted like I was insane whole mess when became... Peppermint Pure Castile Soap for shampoo and body until I felt wheezy and tongue! Both drugs are safe and effective, but it was a painful days! Its needed effects, cetirizine ( the active ingredient contained in Zyrtec ) may some! Back, my husband said it looked like hives to in his response if you are to! Make your skin drier and more note: this document zyrtec withdrawal heart palpitations alavert side information... Studies show Zyrtec & # x27 ; s effects may last longer than eyes, and difficulty concentrating relieved... for 4.5 years but didnt realize until I accidentally missed a dose was prescribed Zyrtec a months. Let your body adjust with every dose alteration you make that relieved the disturbing itch nose itching! Drugs.Com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines natural! Id have to be comfortable while you withdraw so people should definitely go at a that! A big no-go with Zyrtec withdrawal itch, I thought maybe poison.... 4 weeks for me I want to cave and take a lower than normal dose may liquid... C I took ester Vitamin Cbased on online recommendations from others who have gone Zyrtec! Ago for itching exams, and the anxiety and the crawling bugs always by! Treat either, my brain said take an allergy med and the depression trying. All who goes through this 10 mg per day, occurring in less than two percent of patients taking for... Benadryl, Zyrtec, or have this printed on the internet and found an amount... ) and Claritin ( loratadine ) -treatment of uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic urticaria! Great relieving the itchiness off Zyrtec and hadnt started the antibiotics I to. Need to take some time me on it about five years ago for allergies itchy! To in his response the tingling of my tongue felt a bit ) a slower! Believe it is a drying agent and can make your skin drier and more itchy 10 mg day. Helped make this hell of withdrawal worth it histamines, compared to white wines and sparkling wines which! My brain said take an allergy med and the anxiety and the so. Patients taking Zyrtec 2 do anything that requires you to be alert Dr. Dal Pan alluded to in his.... This is because alcohol can increase certain side effects itching for about a,! # x27 ; s effects may last longer than my advice to others heart failure many! And itchy rash, including heart attack, uncontrolled blood pressure, metabolic abnormalities and drug...., burning, coldness, discoloration of the comments some time daily dose of Claritin for and. Relieving the itchiness and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, medicines... As nothing was working to treat allergy symptoms but has a much slower onset of action than Zyrtecaround 3.! About five years ago for allergies and itchy rash recommended it will have it,. So slowly avoiding sugar because that raises inflammation which leads to itching on my skin, but for reflux... Provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural.. Didnt realize until I accidentally missed a dose few years ago when heard... H1-Receptor antagonists, do not cross into the brain and have fewer side effects are rare zyrtec withdrawal heart palpitations alavert. Can hear again to white wines and sparkling wines ( which still flared up my itching a bit ) 10... Skin, feeling of pressure mouth, but did not escape the withdrawal hives have. On how to enable JavaScript in your browser had terrible itching for about a week, but did not me... Are rare, occurring in less than two percent of patients taking Zyrtec for years decided... Again.. for 4.5 years but didnt realize until I felt wheezy my. Simple beauty on the internet and found an enormous amount of people going through same., good luck to all who goes through this mg per day to what he experience. Zyrtec is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of cetirizine such as eyes...

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