Drug Ratings for ZYRTECAverage Rating: 2.1 (1497 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Age from oldest to youngest Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ZYRTEC | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 1 | for allergies | Used this drug for about 60 days and my general health continued to decline. Although my allergy symptoms are reduced, the side effects are horrible | This is the drug from Hell. The side effects included: Extreem fatique,sore joints and mucles,rise in blood preasure,dizzeness,and overall lethargic feeling. Would never recommend this drug and I can not believe it is an over the counter drug. Over all rating (mean & nasty) | M | 75 | 60 days | 8/7/2008 | 3 | allergies (sneezing fits) | Worked well, but after several weeks I became so tired, it was a crisis if I had to do laundry. Stopped & after a couple of days started to get energy back. And pee better. | There is another effective allergy med. like this one: allegra. Both work well for me, and both have insidious side effects. It is peculiar both are sold over-the-counter, since inevitably both will lead to fruitless doctor visits and more burdens on the health care system. | M | 70 | 40 days 5 or 10 mg 1X D | 1/23/2013 | 1 | Allergies | I have been extremely angry and depressed for the last three days. I also started having flu-like symptoms, so I got on-line looking for Zyrtec side effects because I had just started using the Zyrtec Liquid Gels three days ago. | I am very glad I found the comments about Zyrtec causing mood changes. I had no idea that it might be the cause of my sudden anger. I feel very tired and have flu-like body aches. I will report back if my symptoms disappear after I stop the Zyrtec. | F | 69 | 3 days 10mg 1X D | 4/14/2010 | 1 | hay fever | I used Zyrtec for one year, and it controlled hay fever symptoms very well. However, I developed dry, scaly skin on my face, dandruff in my eyebrows, and red, swollen cracked lips. The corners of my mouth were cracked, and it hurt to open my mouth wide enough to eat. I thought I had developed an allergy to my moisturizer and lipstick, so I changed to non-allergenic products with no effect. My nostrils were also dry and scabby. Recently, I had several nose bleeds. At my annual checkup, the optomotrist diagnosed chronic dry eyes and prescribed Restasis, which contains cyclosporine, a powerful drug used by transplant patients to prevent organ rejection. About this time, I had my teeth cleaned, and the dental hygienist diagnosed dry mouth, which is causing plaque to form at the top of my porcelain crowns. (In a healthy mouth, saliva helps rinse decay-forming bacteria from the teeth.) Chronic dry eyes, nose bleeds, and dry mouth motivated me to research Zyrtec. I stopped taking it immediate | I would not recommend Zyrtec to anyone. | F | 69 | 1 years | 7/12/2009 | 1 | Seasonal allergies | DEEEE-PRESSION! | THAT stuff is terrible on my system. I had no idea what was making me feel so "dark." It crept up on me; but the literature didn't mention "Depression" - oh no. I thought about the meds in the first 10 days. I tried everything - meditation, relaxation, music, oh hec it was awful. I don't take any other RXs so I guess I'm lucky for my age. I hate that stuff. | 68 | 2 weeks | 9/1/2008 | 1 | Allergies, post nasal drip, earache | zombie-like state, severe feeling of disconnect, inability to concentrate, poor motor skills, confusion, feeling of being in "slow motion", no modivation.... | I felt as if my brains were scambled eggs, I was slow in talking, moving and understanding others. Trouble with my reflexes. I forgot what correct word to use. I wasnt sleepy..just out of it..I really thought I was getting Alzheimer's disease I stopped taking it and my whole world improved and went back to normal. Scared the heck out of me. | F | 68 | 2 months 1X D | 2/28/2013 | 1 | Allergies | When I decided to discontinue taking Zyrtec, I experienced unbearable, continuous, incapacitating itchiness. My entire body was covered was covered with large welts and even loose clothing caused painful hives to erupt . There are no words to describe the suffering involved. I took cool showers and used cortisone ointment to no avail. I finally had to start taking Zyrtec again to stop the suffering, which was acute. | I called the manufacturer of Zyrtec for advice on how to get off the drug, but the representatives I spoke to on two occasions said they had never heard of any side effects from quitting the drug. In the meantime, I'd checked the Internet for information about Zyrtec withdrawal symptoms, and there were literally thousands of comments from other people who had suffered incapacitating itching when they they tried to discontinue---some after taking the drug for only a short period of time. Without any guidance from the manufacturer, I reduced the amount of the medication very gradually from three-quarters of a pill, to half. This took me about two years to accomplish. Now, three years later, I'm down to one-quarter of a tablet once a day. It has taken that long to almost get my system rebalanced! I hope I can get off this drug completely. I think it's criminal that there aren't warnings about discontinuing this medication Worst of all, I was offended and angered by the arrogance of the manufacturer who said through their representatives that they'd "never heard" of anyone suffering from discontinuing the drug. Apparently, most doctors have also been misled about Zyrtec and believe it's benign. Buyer beware. | F | 68 | 9 years 10 mg 1X D | 5/21/2012 | 2 | Runny eyes, sneezing, allergies | irritable, tired | around day 8 did not work at all in relieving runny eyes, sneezing | F | 66 | 10 days 10 mg 1X D | 8/28/2010 | 1 | rhinitis from eye medication | Amnesia and confusion. I suddenly became aware I was driving on the wrong side of the median on a narrow road. I could not remember how i came to be there. I had lost about three minutes or four minutes of time. | This was exceedingly scary. It took a lot of research and reading of fine print on medical websites to isolate Zyrtec as the only thing I was taking that could have been responsible for this period of amnesia. | F | 66 | 4 days | 6/21/2008 | 4 | allergies asthma | None | It works very well. The only better medication was Seldane which was taken off the market due to a very few people with serious side effects. | F | 65 | 9 years | 2/11/2009 | 1 | allergies | Wanted to sleep all the time, could not stay awake. Felt like brain was in a fog. Dizzy when walking. | Side effects are terrible. Yes, it stopped the dripping nose and eyes, but at what cost. It's been over 60 hours since last dose and I'm just now feeling normal again. Will never take this stuff again. | F | 65 | 3 days 10mg 1X D | 5/22/2010 | 1 | Allergy To Bug Bites | My normal cheerful mood changed so much that my friends and family commented on the change. Almost everything made me mad! I had loss of appetite and nausea and in general, just felt bad. I couldn't really attest that it helped with my bug bite reaction either. I normally walk a mile a day and don't have any real aches and pains but my knee joint started hurting two days ago and after doing some research on Zertec I will never take this again. I have almost returned to my normal self, hopefully I didn't take it too long. | This product is just not worth the side effects to me. | F | 65 | 14 days 10mg 1X D | 5/30/2012 | 1 | allergies | hands and feet swellings body aches. SLEEPINESS. DEPRESSION. I think it is a horrible drug. I stopped for a three days and was feeling much better. ( I was trying to see if Zyrtec was the problem) I took one last night. Nightmares hands,feet, backache body aches are back. I am THROUGH with Zytrec. I can take the 12.5 mg meclinzine You can ask druggist for it OTC. I will take that when I need it for allergies. I have been on Zyrtec on and off for years, and now I know I am not crazy!!!! | HORRIBLE DRUG!!!! | F | 65 | 6 years | 10/18/2006 | 2 | seasonal allergies | Did not sneeze all day but had bad stomach cramps, diarrhea, general nauseated feeling. | I realize it was only 1 pill but I have a pretty strong stomach so not likely that it was something else. I am not willing to chance it again the day after but might again in the future just to prove but I do not like that sick feeling!! | M | 64 | 1 days 10mg 1X D | 3/7/2012 | 2 | allergies | easily angered, angry, near violently angry - I'm an old woman who likes people and I said MF... the swear word... for the first time in my life and then I sulked because I knew they didn't hear me... crazy mood swing... sleepiness and foggy brain (could be allergies), and piercing headache to forehead... I thought I was stroking out... | fortunately this is fourth time I've experienced a medication induced personality change/reaction.. I stopped the zyrtec immediately. I started on zyrtec because claritin ( 9 years of seasonal use) seemed to fail... something that happened with a previous med that I used seasonally for years. At the pharmacy, I asked for suggestions and was told to try zyrtec. It immediately did relieve my allergy reactions... which was nice... but the side effects were horrendous. Luckily for me, over the many years I have taken meds and did diets, I have had adverse reactions and knew after I thought about it ... that my personality change... extreme anger, vocal expressions of annoyance, and depression... was not ME. I am stun by my inability to control angry impulses over the last two days I took zyrtec. I only recognized the problem about 4 hours before I was goin' to take my next 24 hour pill. I was taking a over-the-counter dose.,,10 mg. and my adverse reactions started on the second day... I only used it for three days total. I'm goin' to be sure to include zyrtec on my med allergies | 64 | 3 days 10 mg 1X D | 5/22/2012 | 1 | seasonal allergy | upset stomach, loose bowels, diarrhea. | Within two days of discontinuing Zyrtec, my symptoms disappeared. The drug was effective in minimizing my allergic problems, but for me, the side effects are not worth it. | M | 63 | 30 days | 5/21/2008 | 5 | allergic to cats, most grasses, tre | sleepiness not sure if the forgettfulness is caused by zyrtec | F | 62 | 4 years | 11/9/2005 | 5 | general hay fever | Dry Eyes and Nostrils. Minimal side effects with a 5 mg dose. Significantly greater effects with the normal 10 mg dose. | I only use Zyrtec on an as needed basis about once per week most of the year and two to four times per week during the spring pollen season. A 5 mg dose works great for controlling my allergy symptoms. Both my doctor and pharmacist said it was okay to cut the 10 mg tablets in half, so, I am using a pill cutter to do that. | M | 62 | 5 years | 8/25/2006 | 2 | SEASONAL ALLERGIES | ESTREME FATIGUE - COULDN'T STAY AWAKE. WATER RETENTION | I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE ALLERGIES | F | 62 | 4 days 30 MG 1X D | 4/4/2011 | 1 | Year round allergies | I have taken generic Tavist for many years. It became hard to find and I thought I'd try the newer wonder drug, Zyrtec. I took 1 pill last night, along with other meds I normally take. I've been extremely drowsy all day. It isn't wearing off. I will not take it again. | I thought this was one that did not (generally) cause drowsiness. For me it is currently debilitating. I am waiting for it to wear off after 20 hours the drowsiness is increasing if anything. I napped this afternoon! I don't plan to try this again. I have taken antihistamines my whole life but rarely been this drowsy from any of them. Oh, it worked - no allergies today - but it's not worth it. I'm afraid to try again, although might try the lower dose at some point. | F | 62 | 1 days 10 mg 1X D | 5/20/2011 | 1 | allergy to dogs and cats | hives | F | 62 | 6 days | 10/30/2006 | 1 | Seasonal allergies | Extreme sleepiness, anger and rapid heartbeat. | F | 62 | 2 days 500 | 1/17/2013 | 1 | seasonal allergies | Have taken this off and on for several years, this is the first time I've had such a quick reaction. Mega mood swings, anger one moment weepy the next. I have been diagnosed with Sjogrens which presents with dry mouth among other symptoms. Now I'm wondering if Zyrtec is the cause. | I knew this stuff made me very drowsy so I only took a half a pill, 5 mg. Yesterday I came home and took an hour and a half nap and still slept well at my regular bed time! | F | 62 | 2 days 5 mg 1X D | 8/20/2012 | 1 | allergies | Utter fatigue and drowsiness. | I will not continue this medication, because I cannot function well being so fatigued. | F | 62 | 1 weeks | 12/24/2001 | 4 | hives | in the beginning, extreme drowziness, but the more I take it, the less fatigued I feel. I take it for hives, which I've had lately for over two months, cause unknown. I also take Singulair in the morning. I have noticed I am more hungry than usual, and do experience bizarre dreams. | I don't think this drug causes aggitation. The aggitation is from not knowing what causes the hives, which have come and gone for the past 6 years. I think it may be hormonal. They appear in the evening and are gone by noon. Also includes some episodes of angioedema. More hot flashes than usual, but again, can't blame this on the zyrtec. | F | 61 | 3 weeks 30 mg 1X D | 4/10/2011 | 2 | Chronic Hay Fever | Wired, anxious sleep, drowsiness, apathetic mood. | ZYRTEC was effective in stopping my allergy symptoms, but after 3 days on this medication, with very little sleep, and the sudden apathy, I stopped, and returned to "normal" within 2 days. There should be more extensive warnings for this allergy medication, and it should be taken off the shelf. I will go back to taking Claritin "D" full of pseudofed which makes me wired also, but with no mental side effects--and I can't take that for more than 1 or 2 days! | M | 61 | 3 days | 4/22/2009 | 1 | Chronic allergies | It took me approximately 4 weeks to recognize that I was suffering from severe depression, anxiety attacks, and paronoia. A freind had recommended it as it is somewhat effective for allergy relief, but the side effects are terrible. | M | 61 | 4 weeks | 11/7/2009 | 1 | Hives | severe sleepiness, akin to narcolepsy, lethargy,increased appetite with gross weight gain, mild depression, dermatitis, Dermatographia, mild forgetfulness of common terms and names. I gained 75 lbs while taking Zyrtec, fifty of them in the last 6 months. I suffered from severe intermittent urticaria (hives) for thirty years, until my doctor put me on Zyrtec 10mg. every night before bedtime. When prescription runs out and it takes a couple of days to renew it, hives return and are very severe. I suffer tingling in the hands and fingers, and sometimes the wrists, and dizziness, with a buzzing sound I seem to hear in my head, rather than as an outside auditory sound. It's like a bee buzzing quickly through my head. My feet swell without clinical rationale. | I became mildly depressed, believing I was suffering some serious disease, and perhaps actually at risk of dying. I asked my doctor if there were any side effects, and he didn't suggest any. I didn't question the Zyrtec until I finally saw a commercial on television which listed drowsiness as a side effect. Bam! That was it. I hadn't realized it, but the lethargy, sleepiness, drowsiness almost to the point of narcolepsy started about four months after beginning the regimen of Zyrtec. I was a nurse for thirty-seven years, and didn't have the sense to even consider that Zyrtec might be the culprit, since it worked so well against the Hives. When I began reading the comments of others here, I began to cry uncontrollably. I may have found relief from Hives, but Zyrtec has made my living Hell. I'm going off Zyrtec at once, and will advise other users who have presented with similar possible side effects to stop taking Zyrtec, and see their doctor at once. | M | 61 | 1.5 years | 2/14/2006 | 4 | Allergies | A very positive side effect! I have anxiety sometimes that causes chest pain, headaches and general lousy feelings. Zyrtec seems to prevent that from happening. I sleep well and can breath better. | M | 60 | 2 months | 3/26/2009 | 3 | Sneezing and running nose | Can't smell or taste anything except for very salty | Actually tested by my son who knows I hate certain smells and tastes. Drank bottle lemon juice without tasting it. Ate big bite of onion and couldn't taste it's flavor. Normally hate the smell of wine and couldn't even smell it with my nose in the glass. He knows I don't like coffee so actually gave me coffee beans and I put them in my mouth and couldn't tell any difference between the beans and small pebbles. Went to look at realestat and couldn't smell cat urine or smoke. I used to be able to smell things better than most people and now literally cannot smell anything. Think it could be dangerous as I can't smell natural gas or smoke. Am going to stop taking and hope my sense of smell comes back! | M | 60 | 5 days 10 1X D | 2/24/2013 | 2 | allergies | some drowsiness, dry eyes. Upon withdrawal the feeling of itching and pain in the eyes developed and has persisted for several days so far. It feels like there is something in the eyes yet eye exam shows nothing. Not sure it is from zyrtec withdrawal but there seems to be no other explination. | would not use it again for allergies. | M | 60 | 10 1X D | 4/15/2011 | 2 | SKIN ALLERGIES | vERY TIRE, LACK OF ENERGY | LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER USER OF THIS MEDICATION HAD ANY EXPERIENCE WITH ZYRTEC BEING A DRUG-INDUCED PARKINSONISM. CETIRIZINE AND CINNARIZINE A KNOWN DRUG-INDUCER OF PD AND BOTH ARE DERIVATIVES OF PIPERAZINE SEE BELOW Piperazine derivatives Buclizine • Cetirizine • Chlorcyclizine • Cinnarizine • Cyclizine • Hydroxyzine • Levocetirizine • Meclizine • Niaprazine • Oxatomide | M | 60 | 5 years | 4/1/2008 | 2 | sinus/allergies | At first, the drug was a godsend. I could only take it at bedtime, and I learned that the normal dosage for me was only 1/2 of a pill. If I took a whole pill at bed time, the next morning I could barely stay awake to drive to work. After taking the drug, seasonally, for about 3-4 years, I began developing new allergies. I once had an allergic reaction to two mosquito bites on the same leg. My blood pressure shot sky-high, but a dose of Zyrtec brought everything under control. I got so I could not sleep without it. Highly addictive for me in this regard. It took me four months to kick it. I spent many long nights awake. I finally weaned myself by taking half a pill on alternate days, then dropped to a quarter of a pill, then a quarter of a pill on alternate days. Finally, I am off the drug---Thank God! I am sleeping better than I have in years, and my allergies are much better. | Was paying $80. for 30 pills, then they made it an over-the-counter drug, wouldn't you know it, just as I was getting off the drug. | F | 60 | 5 years | 4/18/2008 | 1 | Seasonal allergy | Took 1 24-hour tablet. Instantly effective on symptoms, but 4 hours later I became very drowsy, had trouble remembering things, and felt like I was in a mental fog. | I will not take it again, and cannot recommend it to anyone. | M | 60 | 1 times | 4/7/2008 | 1 | allergies | Exhaustion, weakness, sleep problems, dry mouth, weight gain | I had been successfully treating my allergies with Allegra for several years, until my insurance company switched me to Zyrtec about a month ago. Almost immediately I started feeling tired and miserable all the time, and noticed my weight creeping up. I began to suspect the change of medication and after about three weeks decided to quit taking the pills to see if they were causing the trouble. Sure enough within a day or two I was feeling back to normal. I did have some itching, mostly at night, but nothing as severe as described by others, maybe because I hadn't been taking it for very long. After five days off, I tried to complete the test by taking one pill last night at bedtime and already today I have been so exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open all day. Thank goodness I didn't have any real work to do. I've had enough and will learn to live with the sneezing if this is my only alternative. | F | 60 | 30 days 10 MG 1X D | 11/30/2010 | 1 | SEASONAL ALLERGIES | Heart arrhythmia, palpitations, high blood pressure, weight gain, numerous vivid dreams per night, depressed mood, difficulty stopping med/itching | Unbelievable that Zyrtec is now OTC & so many people are exposed to it's side effects without sufficient warning! After I was finally able to wean myself off this drug, my blood pressure lowered to normal range and my EKG returned to normal. No more dreams or moodiness or unexplained weight gain. But I continued to feel itchy for many months. No one warns you how hard it is to STOP Zyrtec. So K-Mart shoppers BEWARE! | F | 60 | 4 years 1X D | 3/25/2010 | 1 | allergies | I have been taking it for about 4 months. Bought it OTC and it was working as far as stopping my runny nose etc. Just stopped because I felt like I was "out of it" most of the time and didn't know why and mentioned taking it to a friend who is a nurse and she said "oh I can't take it ...it makes me crazy". So I decided to stop and see if I felt like my old self. I have been very very dizzy since stopping which has made me feel queasy in my stomach. This dizziness has lasted over a week now. Has anyone else had this side effect from withdrawal? | F | 60 | 4 months | 7/11/2009 | 4 | seasonal allergies | some drowziness, but not enough to curb activities. | I only take Zyrtec in the Spring/fall when I know that I will start having issues. Knowledge of what triggers each persons allergy symptoms and when the triggers first appear I feel is crucial to using this medication to make it work. I have been prescribed Zyrtec for about 8 years. So far so good. | F | 59 | | 7/25/2009 | 4 | allergy | Had become very tired at end of day. I take it at night. If I just sat still or laid on the couch in the evening (sometimes as early as 7:30) I could fall asleep for 2-3 hours. Before Zyrtec it was at most 10 - 20 Minutes. Also I would become very irritable by days end. However during the day it almost affected me like a mood elevator. I have been feeling very good and hope it was me rather than the Zyrtec. I didn't take it one night and slept fine. The next night I awoke around 2:00A.M and couldn't get back to sleep. Had anxiety and some wierd thoughts and also felt fearful. I had similar feelings when getting of of xanax many years ago. I am on no other meds than zyrtec now! Anyone else have similar feelings getting off of Zyrtec? I am trying to find the best and safest way to get off. Any suggestions are appreciated. My sleep had become so good with zyrtec I hope some previous episodes of insomnia do not return. D. | M | 59 | 6 days | 11/27/2006 | 2 | allergy | elevated blood pressure, rapid heart beat(normally 70 BPM, went to90BPM)difficulty sleeping, easily angered with others. | Initially helped relieve a cough related allergy. Was very concerned with the high blood pressure( never had it before) and was preparing to see my MD. Even thought of going to hospital because I thought I could be on the verge of a heart attack. I mentioned symptoms to a friend who said it could be the zyrtec. Stopped taking it and three days later heart rate down to 80 BPM and blood pressure 140/100 down from 155/105. Im hoping for continued improvement back to my normal 120/80. Wow this stuff scared me! Never had any heart issues before this. Going to go back to Claritin which had barely any side affects. Fortunately no negstive withdrawal symptoms others have reported. | M | 59 | 30 days 10 mg 1X D | 3/28/2010 | 2 | seasonal allergies | Restless less syndrome, rapid heartbeat, a sensation of my entire body vibrating, occasional difficulty sleeping, anxiety, tired feeling during the day. I take the tablet at night, just before bed. | It did work on the allergies. I had constant post nasal drip from mold and pollen allergies. The drip caused coughing and other typical allergy symptoms. The generic Zyrtec did clear this up quite a bit, not completely. But the side effects are too much to put up with, so I'm quitting the Zyrtec. I'd rather have allergies. | F | 59 | 90 days 10 mg 1X D | 5/13/2010 | 1 | serve allergies | hard to wake up in morning, mood swings, irrational thoughts, crying, anti social | It didn't occur to me that my severe mood swings had anything to do with zyrtec until I realized how out of control I was behaving and I started searching for side effects. Now I have a reason for my weird dreams in the morning and the agitation I'm feeling. There hasn't been enough coffee in the morning to help me function. I was beginng to fear I couldn't do my job and my husband was beginning to believe I was a lunatic. | F | 59 | 31 days | 9/30/2007 | 1 | Allergies, sinus congestion | Took at night as directed--had really disturbing dreams and a feeling of panic upon awakening. Also felt very sluggish...through process of elimination decided Zyrtec must be the culprit and discontinued, as there were no other medicines, foods or events in my life to cause this reaction. An ENT DR I saw soon afterwards said it crosses the blood/brain in about 1% of the population. My daughter-in-law and her mother reported that they had the same reaction to it. | I never experienced anything like this before with an antihistamine--drowsiness, yes, but not an overwhelming feeling of doom and panic. How can they make this an over the counter drug? It could send someone to the psych ward! | F | 59 | 1 days | 8/4/2008 | 1 | year-round allergies | Pounding heart, high blood pressure spikes, racing heart, extreme fatigue, chest pain | Helped allergies but side-effects sent me to ER thinking I was having a heart attack. Doctors said I had too much job stress. GP said I needed something for anxiety. My heart was pounding even when at rest. During the night I would wake up with a rapid fluttering. Thought I had heart trouble. I realized the problems started with the Zyrtec because I keep a blood pressure diary and it all coincides. Asked the pharmacist if Zyrtec could cause any of the symptoms I was having and had an AHA moment. All symptoms stopped after off of it for 4 days. When I get cold, I have an intense itch that I never had before. Hope that goes away. It is only where skin is exposed to cold - like face and hands. Will never use this drug again. | F | 59 | 31 days | 11/7/2009 | 5 | Chronic urticaria | no side effects | Zyrtec controls my hives along with Allegra without making my heart race. | F | 58 | 5 years | 9/19/2009 | 5 | allergies | Hives on my neck and scalp base. Very itchy could not figure what was wrong until I read all the comments. Does NOT say that on the bottle!! They should disclose this!!! | Take allegra..... | F | 58 | 8 days | 4/21/2008 | 5 | Mild Allergies | No side effects | Works perfectly, no drowsiness or other problems | M | 58 | 3 years 10mg 1X D | 2/18/2013 | 4 | allergies | I took zyrtec for about a year and a half. Loved it. However, Ive had to stop taking it to have some allergy tests taken. I was violently sick to my stomach, have headaches and now cant have an empty stomach. I can only hope these symptoms go away as my activities have been SEVERLY limited. | F | 58 | 10mg 1X D | 11/6/2010 | 4 | Severe allergies | Mild lethargy - severe heart palpitations and tachycardia | After six courses of allergy shots, and dozens of other prescription and over the counter medications throughout my life, Zyrtec was a Godsend for me. For the first time, it gave me a life free of itching, eczema, sneezing, asthma and recurring sinus infections, and all this with few if any noticeable side effects. However, over the past couple of years, I've experienced more and more nighttime heart palpitations, heavy heart thumping, as well as persistent tachycardia -- sometimes so much so as to keep me awake. I did not suspect it was Zyrtec until in desperation I stopped taking it. The heart symptoms completely stopped the first night. For two nights I slept like a baby. Beginning the third night after giving up Zyrtec, my allergy symptoms returned with a vengeance. I had forgotten how miserable I was before Zyrtec. I decided to take half a tablet around noon instead of before bedtime. It is better, but I am still, not sure what I'm going to do in the long run. I don't want to conk | M | 58 | 10 years | 7/31/2007 | 3 | adult onset spring allergies | lethargy, weight gain, rash on my neck, low libido | It has worked better than Claritin for my adult onset spring allergies; I originally tried "natural" remedies, which did nothing to help the sneezing, dripping and achy eyes. However since starting Zyrtec about 2 months ago, I have been needing 9-10 hours of sleep, and still have a hard time getting out of bed. And I have been gaining weight for no apparent reason, about 5 pounds in the last 2 months since I began Zyrtec this year. And a reduction in sex drive the last couple of months. And a mild itchy rash on my neck the last few weeks. As my allergies are seasonal, and they usually subside around now, I stopped Zyrtec 3 days ago and have been having trouble sleeping. Last night I lay awake most of the night. I am very happy to have found this web site and now know that these changes are because of Zyrtec. However, I would take it again next year, maybe try taking less, and taking it at night, or maybe try Claritin again because the constant sneezing and dripping and sore | F | 58 | 60 days | 4/2/2008 | 3 | Skin itching over entire body | Had no obvious side effects except that I have been very anxious, angry, suspicious, and distrustfull of my wife for the past 4 years. She has accused me of not being a "happy" person for the past 6-8 years, Always used to be (or at least I thought) a happy person but was in denial over hte past 4 years thinking it was all her. After reading the posts on this site I realized that it may be the meds. quit them 6 days ago! Itching like crazy but will see what happens. Felt really weird last 2-3 days figure it's withdrawal symptoms | She has accused me of not being a "happy" person for the past 6-8 years, Always used to be (or at least I thought) a happy person but was in denial over hte past 4 years thinking it was all her. Just about ready to get divorced! After reading the posts on this site I realized that it may be the meds. I quit them 6 days ago! Itching like crazy but will see what happens. Felt really weird last 2-3 days figure it's withdrawal symptoms. Need to see my doctor. | M | 58 | 10 years 10 mg 1X D | 4/17/2012 | 1 | Allergies | COUGH, ITCHING, FATIGUE, HEART IRREGULARITIES, DIFFICULTY WITH URINATION........ among others | Wouldn't recommend this drug to a squirrel! I went through 2 years of living hell until I decided enough was enough! My PC kept telling me cough isn't a related side effect..........BUBKUS! I had a nagging cronic cough, thought it was heart related but they always tell me cough isn't a heart related issue either..........BUBKUS! We have a significant family heart history and everyone of my blood relatives developed cough from their heart related issue.......makes you wonder about the quality of healthcare today. I used to go to ONE doctor for 40 years that treated everything I ever encountered........in his office 99.9% of the time.......$20 tops!! Today, you need to see 10 doctors, $$$$$$$$Thousands in unnecessary test, and generally they throw in some kind of proceedure, whether you need it or not.............it's all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$.......average inquiry for an illness has to be in the hundreds if not thousands!!! I stopped the drug and the cough immediately subsided in a couple days time! I have significant heart issues to which I should never have been placed on this medication in the first place. It was my cardiologist that suggested stop the drug.......it's the best way of knowing and not guessing as he has done in the past with my heart medications when questionable events arose. And then there's the WITHDRAWL from this drug...........if you haven't experienced it yet, you're in for the ride of a lifetime...........weeks if not months of severe itching, to t | M | 58 | 2 years ????????? 1X D | 10/29/2012 | 1 | allergies | I became so angry over almost nothing at all. Co-workers and family noticed behavior. Would fly off handle for literally small issues. This is the second time I tried this with the same negative effects. | F | 58 | 2 weeks 10 mgs 1X D | 5/8/2010 | 1 | allergies | My heart felt like it was coming out of my chest. I gained weight. I had vaginal dryness. I used it for three weeks and was treated twice for a bladder infection. | F | 58 | 21 days | 2/19/2008 | 1 | seasonal allergies with migraines | itched everywhere--scalp, back, arms, chest, legs, face. Face also felt like it was burning at times--felt flushed. | I started out by taking zyrtec every other day and about the beginning of the third week, I noticed I started to itch/face would burn. So, I quit taking it after four weeks and for the next couple of days, the itching was horible! So, I went back to taking claratin every other day. The second time I took claratin, I noticed that day I did not itch as much but the following day, I itched again horibly. The third time I took claratin, I did not itch at all that day but the following day, I itched although not as much. Anyway, I've taken claratin four times now (like I said, I take it every other day) but today, the day I did not take it, I DID NOT ITCH!!! I think it is out of my system and my immune system is back to normal. I will not take zyrtec ever again!! The itching was so bad it made my blood pressure go up! | F | 58 | 4 weeks | 10/24/2008 | 1 | to stop my cough from a cold | I had a cold and the syptoms went away except for my cough so my doctor told me to take zyrtec. I could smell before I started taking it but after 3 weeks of taking it I had no sense of smell. | F | 58 | 3 weeks | 7/16/2009 | 1 | seasonal nasal allergies | Right sided cardiac failure and hypertension. I experience "cardiac asthma" ie.wheezing after exertion with difficult breathing | This should not be over the counter. Who knew, from the sweet little TV ads that this drug could have killed me. | F | 58 | 2 weeks | 4/19/2009 | 2 | year round allergies | Usually would sleep a max of 6 hours. Started sleeping 10. No problem with falling asleep at night. Usually bounce out of bed ready to go in morning but not after taking this drug. Allergist insisted I take it at night and I see why. Also take Singulair. Don't like the fuzzy feeling and lack of focus with inability to start any projects. Just feel lost. | Stopped taking this two days ago. Shaky and weird feeling yesterday, and noticed hunger pangs which I haven't had for awhile and have been forcing myself to eat. Was never hungry. Great diet drug? I got two hours sleep last night. Could not fall asleep! 4:30 a.m. and woke up at 6:30. I had taken Allegra last night per my Dr and realized it's a drug I have to take in the morning. Clarinex is what we try next if Allegra doesn't work. Zyrtec had my nose running and drainage in back of throat so was it working on allergies or not?? My husband took Zyrtec and could not function, and my step-daughter tried it and can't function either. I have a two yr old granddtr on it and printed out these comments of parents who used it for children. Hope she quits giving it to her! | F | 57 | 7 months | 5/21/2008 | 2 | allergies | Extremly sleepy, couldn't function. I felt confused and irritable after just one dose. Kept yelling at the dog. After one dose, I discontinued its use and called my doctor to ask for a different Rx. Now, just one night later, I'm still awake at 4:00AM because I've been itching. I didn't connect the itching to the Zyrtec until I crawled out of bed and read all the comments about itching and hives. Also I developed a bad cough that doesn't seem to have any cause. I didn't see that effect on anyone else's comments. | After just one day on this medication I can't even say that it helped my symptoms all that much. Maybe it takes more time to kick in. | F | 57 | 1 days | 4/22/2005 | 1 | Seasonal allergies | Depression, moody, extreme anger over small problems, feeling of being overwhelmed and out-of-control | Took this for three days - noticed the extreme anger and depression on day two - I'll go back to Claritin | F | 57 | 3 days | 12/11/2008 |