ZYRTEC Reviews (CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 2.0 (1816 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare ZYRTEC with similar:
Type: Over-the-counter Drug
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Results are sorted by Age from youngest to oldest (reviews with no age reported listed first). 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 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 |
More on ZYRTEC: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ZYRTEC | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 1 | Seasonal Allergies | Very vivid nightmares that would lead me to getting out of bed in a semi-conscious state. I also suffered from anxiety and paranoia. It took me so long to figure out that it was the Zyrtec D because I attributed the psychological stress to the stress of being a first-time father; I had started taking Zyrtec D about two months before my son was born. I am no longer suffering from the nasty side-effects since I stopped taking it about a month ago. | It helped a lot with the seasonal allergies, but not worth the side effects! | M | 34 | 1.5 years 5mg/120mg 2X day | 3/7/2014 | 1 | allergies | The first several weeks, I felt great. Helped with allergies, and I had a ton of energy and motivation. Around week 4, I started experiencing extreme anxiety, depression, rage, hopelessness, sleeplessness, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts -- all of which steadily increased. It scared the crap out of me. I thought I was losing my mind. I gained 10 pounds over the 6 months I took Zyrtec. It also affected my bladder: I didn't sleep for literally nights on end, because every time I'd lie down, I'd feel my bladder spasming and would suddenly have to urinate VERY badly. I'd go, and it was as though I'd just chugged 8 glasses of water. I'd get back in bed, and two minutes later, the same thing, and this lasted ALL NIGHT. I have no idea how I could produce that much urine (sorry, this is gross), but it was clearly abnormal.It stopped as soon as I stopped taking Zyrtec. | I can't believe this drug is sold over the counter. In 2006, my doc put me on it, 1 tablet a day, because I have a history of seasonal and food allergies. After 6 months of taking it, I was trying to figure out what changed in my life when I started having the severe depression, suicidal thoughts, bladder issues, etc., and in an epiphany moment, I realized it all began when I started taking Zyrtec. I immediately saw my doc and told her what had been going on. She confirmed that some people react very badly to this drug and told me to stop taking it. I did, cold turkey, and immediately went into a severe withdrawal that lasted for 3 weeks: I got an itchy rash all over my arms, I had a headache like nobody's business that lasted for 10 days, my muscles were sore -- but within 2 days, my mental state improved drastically. The longer I was off this drug, the better I felt, and I started to immediately drop the weight I'd gained. If you take this drug, PLEASE monitor your mental state and stop taking it right away if your behavior changes for the negative, you become depressed, suicidal, etc. Some seasonal allergies can be greatly helped by changes to one's diet, so look into that as an alternative. Don't give this to child or anyone else who isn't able to articulate potential side effects. Please, please be careful. This is a very dangerous, toxic drug. | F | 34 | 6 months | 9/19/2009 | 1 | Seasonal allergies | Depression, rage, complete personality change. | To be clear, I'm generally a very well adjusted person who has never suffered from psychiatric issues. It took me a few weeks to understand that my sudden personality change stemmed from this new allergy medication. It did relieve my allergies, and the doctor said it was best to take it consistently, so I was. While on this, I seriously thought about hurting myself, I thought about hurting my husband, and I had completely unreasonable thoughts and reactions to people. I have never been in such a dark place in my head. Soon after I stopped taking Zyrtec, I was back to normal. This is scary stuff, and I can't believe it's on the market. Allergies are nasty, but I am not willing to sacrafice my sanity to alleviate them. | F | 34 | 3 weeks | 12/17/2015 | 1 | Allergies | Feel like crap! Like I have the flu! Shaky and very weak | Would not recommend this. Going back to allegra | F | 34 | 1 days | 1/26/2015 | 1 | Originally for hives | Zyrtek is a toxic, addictive-like drug that should be ripped off of the market!!! I began taking it after a trip to the ER. It came highly recommended for my problems and I was completely allergic to Benadryl. Not only did I go from 112 pounds and pack on 20+ (Different each day due to severe water retention and swelling), but getting off this drug is torturous!!!!! Withdrawal symptoms include; more severe hives, angioedema, burning, all over and traveling itching, central nervous system taxation, chills with burning, need I go on????? | This product disgusts me. My life is highly affected by the I'll effects of the fact that Zyrtek wants you to Rely on it in order to live, but you cannot live freely. | F | 34 | 1 days | 12/4/2014 | 1 | Seasonal allergies | If only I read this before taking this medication! I just googled Zyrtec and bad dreams and immediately I found this page , apparently I'm not just going through stuff in my day to day life ! This medication has put me on a roller coaster ride that I am now getting off! From fatigue ,restlessness ,waking up every hour ,bad dreams ,anxiety, weakness ,crazy dry eyes ,always thirsty ,stomach problems ,mood swings crankiness , short temper, blurred vision, lack of interest in anything ! Back to safe all Benadryl and here I thought that (Benadryl ) drowsiness was bad. Wow how wrong could one be nothing compared to this ! And yet with all the side affects eyes still itchy nose still running sneezing still their why in the heck was I still taking this garbage one only asks themselves! | Beware ! I do not recommend anyone to take this, it will flip your life upside down !thank goodness I only bought the Walmart brand for 13$ | F | 34 | 7 days 10mg 1X day | 5/1/2015 | 1 | seasonal allergies | Age & gender are actually my husband's. This drug is ruining our marriage, my sweet, laid back, Godly man has turned into a demonic tyrant. We are so close to losing our marriage over sleeplessness, mood swings, & imaginations of malice. He hasn't been able to quit because the hives are so bad. But he has to quit now or our life will be ruined. He's down to 1/4 pill every other day. Those days are the demon days. The off days are when I get to see my husband again. | M | 34 | 2 years | 3/23/2015 | 1 | Yes | Depression, irritable, heart palpitations, crying for no reason.. dizziness, feeling lost | I've taken Zyrtec off and on for some time. But since moving I've had to take it everyday, due to the area.. anyway, I've been depressed for days and had the hardest time trying to figure out why.. I didn't take it for a few days and started back taking a couple of days ago and noticed I started to have the Symptoms (as mentioned above) all over again..I recently talked to a friend about taking Zyrtec, and she told me to be aware because it may have you depressed and sure enough it's been the Zyrtec. Although it helps the sinus symptoms, it brings out the worst side effects and I would rather not take it any longer.. | 34 | 30 days 10mg | 6/22/2020 | 1 | Allergies | Helped with allergies but seems to have caused an extreme emotional crisis on day three. I lost all comprehension of what was real, to the point where I wasn't really sure of anything. The anxiety-enhancing qualities of the medication are INSANE & I've no desire to take this again. | M | 34 | 4 days 10 4X day | 3/28/2021 | 5 | for hives and allergies | none for myself and none for my son who is now 11 and has been on zyrtec on and off for allergies for a couple of years | F | 35 | 2 weeks | 5/3/2005 | 5 | allergic rhinitis, rash, hives | No negative side effects. Not even drowsiness. I can take it in the morning. | This has been a miracle drug for me. I can live with a cat now, tolerate dust, mold, pollens, etc. Zyrtec is the only allergy med that worked for me. Improved my allergic conjunctivitis & rash as well. | F | 35 | 5 years | 6/6/2007 | 5 | severe allergies | some sleepiness--I take it at night | I wonder if some of the side-effects that I see on this board have to do with Zyrtec-D. I would be a mess if I took Sudafed daily. | F | 35 | 3 years | 7/29/2007 | 5 | allergies | none | Sorry about all these people having severe reactions to this stuff.It did work for me, doesnt leave me tiredalthough i do take it at night so that might help. I would recommend to anyone who is healthy and not taken any other meds for various reasons/ | M | 35 | 1 days | 12/7/2007 | 5 | Sinus and sinus headaches | I have been off zyrtec for 2 weeks... After discovering this website I felt I realized why I had gained so much wieght in 2 years. Also, I was "out of it". I have documented the past two weeks for anyone interested in getting off zyrtec. | This medicine really helped my sinuses and sinus headaches. I have been sneezing a lot since I have been off, but I also have more clarity in my thoughts: Looking back, it was like I was living in a dreamlike state. Also, I went off zyrtec in 4 days. I took half of a 10 mg pill the first and second day, and half of a half the last 2 days. I had a terrible headache the first day I decided to stop, which is why I took half of a 10mg pill: guess what? My headache went away when I took it, but it has not returned :) Finally, I want to be specific about my wieght gain. Since high school, in a 15 year time period, I had gained 10 lbs. In 2 years, while taking zyrtec, I have gained 15 lbs. I did not associate the wieght gain with the medication because I started taking it a month after I was married (I thought being married was making me fat because I was cooking more often for my husband and me). THE REVOLATION: I overheard some people at work talking about sinus medications and | F | 35 | 2 years | 6/11/2006 | 4 | Allergies | Actually read the possible side effects before popping a pill in your mouth people! Most of the side effects you all are complaining about are listed For a reason....Here's a copy from their site..Nothing's hidden from you...... Some side effects with Zyrtec, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. As with most recently approved non-prescription products, Zyrtec is usually safe to use and rarely causes serious side effects. These serious side effects include but are not limited to: Wheezing or other breathing problems Difficulty passing urine High blood pressure (hypertension) A rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or a feeling of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (known as heart palpitations) Confusion Anxiety An increase in liver enzymes Signs of an allergic reaction, such as: An unexplained rash Hives Itching Unexplained swelling, especially of the lips, mouth, or throat. Less Common Zyrtec Side Effects Rare Zyrtec side effects occur in less than 2 percent of people taking the drug. Because these side effects are so uncommon, it is difficult to tell whether they are caused by Zyrtec or something else. These less common side effects include but are not limited to: Loss of appetite Flushing Migraines A spinning sensation (vertigo) Gas Hemorrhoids Bladder infection (urinary tract infection or UTI) Ringing in the ear (tinnitus) | F | 35 | 10 days 10 mg | 3/24/2012 | 4 | allergies: pollen,mold,dust,animals | Extreme dryness, stomach ache/bloating, constipation, panic attacks. Eventually, increased hunger, increased water retention. Also, extreme histamine rebound if I stop taking suddenly, after taking it regularly for a prolonged period. However... | ...through much trial and error over the years, I have learned to avoid or minimize these effects. First, 10mg is too high of a dose for me. I tend to cut the pill into quarters and take one quarter every other day, while necessary. Plus all of the obvious things: drink water more frequently, eat a simple balanced diet, get adequate sleep. Addition, I use a neti pot at least once a day. Mild, sweet candy helps with the dry throat. And I have found that the best time to take the Zyrtec dose is around lunchtime. When it's time to stop, I'll taper off by extending the interval to two days, then three, etc., while also reducing the dosage. If there is one thing I wish was different about Zyrtec, it's that I wish it came in smaller doses but still in pill form. | F | 35 | 5 years 10mg/day 1X day | 8/15/2010 | 4 | nasal allergies | dry mouth Don't take if you've been drinking I threw up one time. This is a very strong antihistimine. | Works great on keeping my allergies at bay. I have severe allergies so no medicine seems to help once pollen season hits especially oak pollen. Seems to work better on cat dander than dust or pollen maybe that is a lesser allergy for me. Overall, it is the best antihistimine I've tried. My allergies were terrible when I took Allegra. | F | 35 | 5 years | 3/27/2005 | 4 | Dog allergies | overwhelming tiredness, Weight gain | Now that I read all these comments, the light has turned on. I have been taking this drug for just about a month now, since we got a new dog for our boys, and as the weeks have gone on, the problems have added up. I had been waking at night, which I thought was because of the allergies, and have been literally falling asleep while typing at my desk at work. I even went so far as to call my doctor, and had a blood test to check my thyroid levels. I am on many medications, so it may be a combination of things; we'll see when I stop taking it what will happen. Hopefully I'll fit into my clothes again too!! | F | 35 | 4 weeks | 3/27/2009 | 4 | cat allergies | I experienced weight gain after only a week on zyrtec. I noticed that my clothes kept getting tighter, but I was running consistently. I also was very tired on zyrtec. | Zrytec helped my allergies, but I just can't deal with the weight gain. | F | 35 | 21 days | 11/13/2008 | 3 | Congestion, allergies | Took one pill at bedtime. Upon waking, I noticed my congestion was much improved. Started wearing off around 8 a.m. About 1 p.m., I became so exhausted and could not snap out of it. 3 1/2 hours I still feel the severe exhaustion and can barely stay awake. | F | 35 | 1 days | 9/17/2008 |