Palpitations and tachycardia can occur with both normal and abnormal heart rhythms and have been reported in conjunction with the use of Zyrtec 23. Allegra and Zyrtec are common over-the-counter drugs used to treat allergy symptoms. This is thought to be related to the pseudoephedrine component of the drug. (I specifically took Costcos generic version of Zyrtec called Aller-Tec. Both contain the same active ingredient, Cetirizine HCl the generic name of the drug but most people know the brand name of the drug, Zyrtec.) Still itching.but Im super depressed and having the worst panic attacks ever. Withdrawal from an allergy medication should NOT happen, should NOT take this long, and should NOT make a person miserable for WEEKS. Other second-generation antihistamines include fexofenadine (Allegra) and loratadine (Claritin). 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. I just pushed through and tried not to think about it. Uses: The next day I had an appointment with my PCP to have a biopsy of the rash. RxList reports that the overall incidence of Zyrtec-related side effects requiring discontinuation of the drug is not different than placebo in large studies 2. I did purchase some lotions that help to numb the skin, including Sarna Anti-Itch Lotion, Bengay with Lidocaine, and I bought hydrocortisone cream to relieve the itch. I didnt want to introduce ANY antihistamines into my body because I wanted to body to go back to normal and back to its normal histamine levels. Why am I still experiencing so muchpainful itching?. It was on this day that I went a few hours without any itching, and finally realized that yes, there would be an end to this. You should not use Zyrtec if you are allergic to cetirizine or levocetirizine. The moment I would give in and take a pill, it would go away, until the next day. Anyway, good luck to all who goes through this. I AM DETERMINED THIS TIME I WILL BEAT IT. increased sensitivity of the skin to the sun. I even read a study done in Europe that found antihistamines were linked to liver failure and brain tumors. The FDA actually cites The Peoples Pharmacy in its reference section regarding cetirizine withdrawal itch. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2042098619859996. But cetirizine can be found in combination with other medications, such as pseudoephedrine in products such as Zyrtec-D, and pseudoephedrine does increase blood pressure. Thanks! And for about a week, the hives didnt return. This time, I must come off of it, I have to do it quickly, and there is no option but success, so I wanted to thank you for very much for posting your article with tips and tricks so that I can be assured that patience and perseverance will get me to the other side. Im so itchy all over. Over the last eight years we have accumulated over 700 comments about this problem. Stops itch almost immediately. I scratched. Pretty much came back for negative except for very little grasses/pollen and dogs. More-serious though less common side effects include a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or feelings of fluttering or a pounding heart (palpitations). I was on Costco generic Zyrtec for so many years, Ive lost count! During these early days, I tried to keep busy. Because I had Covid beginning of April, I have been taking supplements to build my immunity, it has a lot of Vitamin C, zinc and selenium. you have to do frequent dosing. I am on Vistaril withdrawal , It is a first antihistamine generatiion. The itching is from hell. And oh wow I found this page and read most of the comments. Really helped. Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cetirizine: Some side effects of cetirizine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever. Good call to wait on withdrawal until after your surgery and to do it slowly! Readers have been complaining about this reaction for many years. But I just found a godsend: Dermoplast First Aid spray!!! Apparently, though, I was itching in my sleep and would wake with scratch marks. There were moments in the past where my skin would constantly itch and I did not know why. I started Zyrtec at my doctors recommendation for itchy skin on my hands. The next time, I cut one in half for 3 days. Several years back, my MD switched me over to Xyzal because my body had now built up an immunity to all of the other standard medicinal histamine treatments. Chung, A. H., et al, "Pruritus after discontinuation of cetirizine," Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, July 5, 2019. doi: 10.1177/2042098619859996. A. After 3 days, I quit. I went to the doctor and he advised me to continue with Zyrtec! Scratching and scraping my body was the only thing that relieved the disturbing itch. The antihistamine withdrawal timeline depends on the specific drug. Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Im hoping next week might bring some relief, but so far not much change. Thinking that a hot bath would help, I sat in one for almost an hour. Since that time, I have steadily gained about 30 lbs, and have constant tiredness and brain fog. At two weeks of life without Zyrtec, itching was not the focus of my day. In order to rate my pain, I decided to use the medical communitys pain scale that assigns numbers 0-10 to judge ones pain (with 10 being the worst pain youve ever experienced) and use this to describe my itch. As a result of this review, the prescription levocetirizine Prescribing Information was revised to include the following information about pruritus after discontinuation of cetirizine in the Adverse Reactions-Postmarketing Experience section (6.2): Rebound pruritus- pruritus within a few days after discontinuation of cetirizine, usually after long-term use (e.g. Receiving antibiotics, I decided to stop the zyrtec while taking the antibiotic.24 hours off zyrtec and hadnt started the antibiotics. But I am scared as hell to become addicted to it too. I had real doubts as to whether or not I was doing the right thing. I wish you the best of luck through your withdrawal. I chronicled the first few days in my last post but I wanted to give readers an in-depth look at the rest of my withdrawal experience. Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. He didnt even answer or seem interested, and he didnt seem to know about the withdrawal. I filed my fingernails down to nubs because I was starting to claw at myself but I dont want to hurt myself. Why was I still hurting? I developed chronic hives about 6 months ago. Now, Im on once a week. I have been weaning myself off for about nine months! And before or after any particular meal? Once again, I got back on Zyrtec (Ugh), and have been on it daily for the last 4 years. Hello, my experience after reading Brents message: I took 1/2 Zyrtec for 3 days, then 1/2 a Claritin for 3 days. 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 was scratching so hard it led to welts and swelling. I am determined not to ever take this Zyrtec again.. OMG!!! Youre not! I quit cold turkey after about two years, and had NO side effects! And my doctor just looked at me blankly as I reported this outcome. Im being patient so my severe itching and hives also go away. Thanks! I have both psoriasis and eczema so I couldnt really tell you if I ever develop skin itchiness because Ive been unceasingly itchy for as long as I can remember. I ITCH. Im hoping that it wont last long, and I will be able to see if the Zyrtec has contributed to the unexplained weight gain! The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze. The FDA strives to keep drug prescribing information (labeling) up to date with important safety information so that health care professionals and patients can make informed treatment decisions. If I didnt preventatively use ice packs on my forearms and hands, I would mildly itch until I fell asleep. Please help! -Maximum dose: 5 mg/day I feel my body is detoxing, I have been more stressed and have had spots (acne?) I would love to never take another zyrtec but I dont think I can put myself through that agony again. We admit that we could be dense, but we suspect it is hard to find if it exists at all. Yeah, this itch is ungodly but everyday is a step closer to the end. For Zyrtec, it's 5 mg or 10 mg. zyrtec. I was now a 6 on my itch scale. Could it be due to seasonal allergies? I recently (literally yesterday) discovered about Zyrtec withdrawals. It is best to wait until cetirizine completely leaves your body before you drink alcohol, which may take up to 40 hours (almost 2 days). For day 2, I was at an 8-9. When possible, choose non-drowsy antihistamines, says Dr. Miller. I am going to try weaning off Zyrtec slowly, 1/2 a dose then less, have ordered supplement with quercetin and beta glucan alongside the vitamins A, C, and D, and the minerals selenium and zinc. However, it was always lurking in the background. I just wanted to follow up to my earlier post. Once I realized this, I medicated with THC once or twice a day. 2 to 5 years: My tongue felt about the same. I began reading that Zyrtec could be the cause, so I have decided to quit once and for all. Hot Baths I only had to take one hot bath to learn my lesson. I feel for you! So I went to a naturopath who recommended weaning off it, while taking quercetin, nettle tea and etc. If I take my last dose Monday morning at 8 AM Ill start sneezing uncontrollably by 8 PM on Tuesday. Overall, it was a painful 21+ days dealing with the itching that came with discontinuing the medication. We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options. -Maintenance dose: 2.5 mg orally once to 2 times a day However, this medication also has the potential to cause sedation. Im kind of a PITA about taking meds, especially one that kills your immune system during flu season, so I opted to only use the topical. I do have a histamine intolerance Ive had it since I was a teenager and have been on allergy meds my entire adult life. Im glad it worked out for you, but my question for you and other allergy sufferers out there, is that once you are off Zyrtec, what are you doing now, or planning to do to alleviate the other allergies problems that we suffered before Zyrtec? The itching was there, but not unbearable. It is considered a second-generation non-sedating antihistamine. rhythm problems (palpitations), or . Ive been taking Zyrtec daily for almost 10 years. This year, within 3 days of stopping Zyrtec I cane up with a terrible rash over most of my body. For about a week scalp, eyes, arms were itching a lot and all in all it took 2 weeks. Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis: 6 months to 2 years: I think I now have developped an intolerance to any antihistamin but if I dont take any Zyrtecat all, the itching is horrible. Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure. She said she had never seen anything like it and could not readily identify it. The typical daily dose of Claritin for adults and children who are 6 years and older is 10 mg per day. Popped another Zyrtec and it went away. I feel overwhelmed because I started taking vistaril first place as a bridge to opioid withdrawal, as it put me in deep inssomnia. Trying to eliminate artificial additives in processed foods and increasing my protein intake have helped my skin recover much better. It relieves symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and itchy nose or throat. Im not sure if the bath simply dried out my skin or if it brought too much histamine to the surface of my skin; whatever the reason, I never took another one. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). Zyrtec withdrawal gave me itchy hives that caused me the need to constantly scratch my wrists. I know for some people the heat made things worse, but I find that if I bring the area to the point of pain without burning it provides a couple hours of relief. Trying to be patient! Well, I tried the itching was too bad and i had work things come up SO here i am in December 5 days into cold turkey and the ITCH & HIVES are really bad. Nasal Sprays Nasal Sprays Are Also on the Table Going directly to. We still could find nothing in the prescribing information or on the OTC label about Zyrtec withdrawal either. 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. Some of our cases reported finding similar experiences after searching for a cause on the internet. As I said, the comments here were helpful because it gave me strength in my resolve, and I knew that if it was a Zyrtec withdrawal, it was a matter of time and patience. Nasal sprays deliver a decongestant right where you need it. since I quit in April. I told her about 10 days. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I agree. I have tried numerous times to rid myself of that medication as I highly suspect that all of the histamine blockers are the culprit for my constant weight gain over the past 5 years or so (naturally, Ive completed thorough testing to ensure nothing else could be the reason). She also holds a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of New Mexico. I stayed up late at night to be sure Id fall asleep quickly and didnt spend hours itching in bed, but the itching came anyway. That it was more of a withdrawal. For some people, the itching lasted up to six weeks. During this fourth and final week of documenting my withdrawal, I was more or less itch free. I explained to her my symptoms and my concern it may not be my allergies but something more serious. After a week I felt wheezy and my tongue felt a bit swollen. Cetirizine is classed as a non-drowsy (non-sedating) antihistamine, but it does make some people drowsy. It was titled: Intense pruritus or itching emerging after discontinuation of cetirizine has been the subject of postmarketing reports submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), published in the medical literature, and discussed on the internet. The bottom line. My symptoms are a runny nose/marathon sneezing, itchy eyes (only if I rubbed them after petting a cat) and a sore throat. Thanks for sharing! I tried 1/2 every 2 days but last night I gave in and took a whole Zyrtec. Every time I took the THC, within hours I was much more comfortable and scratched less. Do not swallow the Zyrtec orally disintegrating tablet whole. We identified 146 cases of pruritus after discontinuation of cetirizine that were associated with serious outcomes. I quit 1.5 months ago. Still holding on taking the antibiotic. Measure liquid Zyrtec Syrup carefully. So thats where I am right now. Thank you for this blog. If you were able to stop Zyrtec without any symptoms we would like to learn about that too. I am proud of myself. -Maintenance dose: 2.5 mg orally once to 2 times a day Thank you so much for sharing this! dose every 2-3h at roughly 500mg at a time. Readers reported relentless itching within a few days of stopping this antihistamine. When should one stop taking antihistamine medication? Ive been on Xyzal and Benadryl for years. Depression. I am not alone in this.. 4.5 years of Zyrtec use. Had no idea what was going on, covered in hives, went to the urgent care, they had no clue, gave me steroids. I have no idea if this helped, but I took it everyday. -Maintenance dose: 2.5 mg orally 2 times a day OR 5 mg orally once a day Five milligrams was usually enough to get me through the bulk of the day, quieting the angry itch, but some evenings benefited from an additional dose. At first I thought that the bumpy hives were athletes foot because they started on my feet- three days after stopping Zyrtec, which I thought still could have been a coincidence at first. I never researched between 1st and 2nd generation back them. Kathy Jutila has been writing health-related articles since 1979. I cant function going through this anxiety. Glad you got your hearing back! Finding this article makes me feel saneno one around me can feel how this feels, even though they see the red blotches, it doesnt look as bad as it feels. Even my ears, face, throat, and feet are itchy. Common causes include: Strong emotional responses, such as stress, anxiety or panic attacks. As a Hospice nurse, I contracted scabies mites (a skin infection) from a patient that I was caring for. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." Anyways so like everyone the first week was the worst, sometimes I couldnt even carry a slightly heavy grocery bag or my hand would get puffy. 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