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 |
| 5 | Asthma/Allergy | It "cured" my asthma symptoms, except for the once a year bronchitis. I LOVED how it worked, but started noticing extreme mood swings, menstrual problems, and weight gain...about 15 pounds in one year | Just stopped 3 days ago, already feeling better, less "foggy" and less moody. Actually have energy! | F | 41 | 900 days 10 1X day | 4/19/2010 | 5 | seasonal allergies | I started to feel drowsy/tired, but I think it was a combination of the fact that I had taken it at the end of a long day of non-stop sneezing. The allergies had exhausted me and the Zyrtec maybe just completely relaxed me into sleep. | I only take Zyrtec about once or twice a season. It is usually enough to get me through. I'd say I have moderate symptoms but then I'd have one day where I cannot stop sneezing and tearing and at that point I take a Zyrtec (I'm afraid to take it too much). I'll then be free of symptoms for a good 4-5 days. It'll come back, but it won't be severe. On those days I do a saline nose spray and otherwise am able to live with it without suffering too much. Regarding children, I have given my 6 year old the child's Zyrtec formula. But I do a much lower dose - I give him *slightly* more than what is prescribed for 2-5 year olds. The teacher reported that he had a sleepy morning that day but otherwise we saw nothing else, and my son said he felt so much better. In his case too the relief lasted several days. | F | 41 | 1 days 10 mg 1X day | 4/13/2010 | 4 | year round allergies | I have not experienced any side effects at all. Also, my six year old started taking this product a few months ago - and she has not experienced any side effects either. I am with the person who posted above in saying that the only people who seem to leave ratings are those with freakishly bizarre side effects. This product has worked well for us (and several friends of ours) for years and nobody I have talked to in person has experienced and side effects from it. :) | F | 41 | 4 years 10mg 1X day | 5/14/2010 | 4 | seasonal allergies | I've been having the most bizarre, vivid dreams--some quite scary. I've also felt a bit depressed and have been extremely gassy. I figured the dreams might be a result of the zyrtec, but I didn't connect the depression or the gas until I visited this site. I've also had minor irritability, though it would be hard to definitively blame the zyrtec. | My seasonal allergies are almost nil. This is the best spring I've had since I moved to Michigan five years ago, and I've been hearing LOTS of people complaining about how bad it is this year. | F | 41 | 6 weeks 1X day | 5/18/2010 | 4 | Allergies | tiredness, dry mouth and eyes, irritable, some dizzyness | I really like this product. If I don't take it early enough at night, like before 8, it will make me tired in the morning. If I take it during the day and I get very relaxed, it will make me fall asleep. Sometimes my eyes get dry and my contacts stick to my eyes so I have to be careful about that. I do get dizzy, irritable and have heart palps and I'm not sure if Zyrtec is contributing to this. It might just be anxiety. I can't take more that 1/2 tablet or it will make me very sleepy. It's not a fast acting antihistamine so if you need something fast you might try chlortab or benadryl. I take the zyrtec as a last resort if I can't get the darn sneezing to stop or if my eyes start itching. It has strong sedative qualities so take before bed time. | F | 41 | 4 years 10 mg 1X day | 11/3/2010 | 4 | allergies | dry mouth, increased reaction to alcoholo | M | 41 | 5 days | 11/4/2001 | 4 | seasonal allergies, mild skin rash | Not sure; I took it at night, to avoid the allergy symptoms keeping me awake. I slept very well (with vivid and creepy dreams though) and felt great the next day; in fact, I was very laid back. That's why I'm writing. Usually I have chronic insomnia, severe PMS and am very high strung. I thought maybe the drug "took the edge off" my anxiety in addition to helping eliminate my allergy symptoms. Coincidence? I don't know... | The many entries here about Zyrtec effecting mood and behavior in horrible ways really bother me. Why did I seem to have the opposite effect? I don't know. It really did relieve my allergy symptoms, but it is eerie how it seemed to immediately and drastically effect my mood as well. I wondered why I've been in such a constantly good mood with positive attitude the last three days, and sleeping so well! It's just not "me." Wish I could keep taking it, but my allergy sypmtoms are gone so I am stopping. Too creepy. | F | 41 | 3 days | 5/22/2008 | 4 | occasional seasonal allergies | Side effects: Feeling a little "out of it", sleepy, dry mouth, typical "old school" allergy side effects. Also, this weird thing with my heart that seems to skip a little when I go off the med - but that may be because I take Zyrtec-D (has pseudoephedrine in it) | Zyrtec-D works for me for about 3 days at a time - I generally don't take it for longer than that and not very often (maybe 3 days out of a month I'm having sinus and allergy issues, like now). I think it is a strong medication. I wouldn't give it to children. | F | 41 | 6 months | 10/19/2007 | 4 | Allergies | Well, I googled "Zyrtec side effects" because I've been really depressed and didn't understand why. I gained weight that I haven't been able to rationalize (about 10 lbs since Thanksgiving ). I've had extreme sadness and bouts of anger since Christmas. I've cried alot lately and I don't remember crying so much in the past. Today was the last straw when I yelled "I want a divorce" which I've NEVER said. I'm going off Zyrtec today and going back to Claritin and see what happens. | Zyrtec treated my allergies 100%. But these side effects are awful. | F | 41 | 45 days | 1/12/2009 | 4 | seasonal allergies | 1 per 24 hrs is not always enough | F | 41 | 90 days | 8/29/2008 | 3 | pet dander, seasonal, sinus | I took my first dose Saturday, 2 days ago, and am struggling with whether I should take another dose. As my symptoms go, I have been feeling almost allergy free since Sunday morning. But I cannot come to grips with my emotions. I feel spaced out, disoriented, and extremely tired all while simultaneously feeling alert, sharp and clear minded. It is like I am living in a bubble. And I dont think I have really slept since taking this, since I seem to have been "awake" while dreaming the most bizarre and graphic dreams. I have even yelled out in my "sleep" . Very unusual. I go from being happy to outraged in one minute, over the most simple things. | This medicine has somehow made me feel really smart and energetic but has also dulled my senses. I cannot smell anything and feel just strange altogether. I do not think I will take it again. Being this aware of myself will drive me into the ground. | F | 41 | 2 days | 10/5/2009 | 3 | Seasonal (now year-round) allergies | Did not recognize any negative side effects while taking Zyrtec - was just so happy it relieved the constant sneezing, dripping and watery eyes. But then realized what others were saying about sadness, irritability, tiredness, weight gain. I had all that, too. Thought it was just my work, the kids and getting older, etc. Lately, my nose was getting SO dried out, that it was painful to touch and constantly filled with crusty stuff, like scabs from little cuts. So, I went off Zyrtec. | Since getting off Zyrtec (cold turkey), after less than 1 week my nose is healing, but OMG the face itchiness!!! I never thought I'd have withdrawal symptoms! Having never experienced them before, I was really worried - my face is numb and tingling and I can't seem to stay still (restless). Now I know! Coming across this website is a lifesaver (I thought I was going crazy!). I am just waiting for all the side effects to eventually subside before I try something else. Of course, I am back to sneezing and water eyes, but it's worth a week of allergy suffering to get off this medication. Never again. So disappointing.... | F | 41 | 5 years 10 mg 1X day | 10/24/2011 | 2 | Allergies | Sleeplessness,Severe skin irritation and weight gain | Until I found this web site, I had no idea that Zyrtec could be causing the problems that I was having. I have always had sensitive skin, but lately have been having a rash on my hands and arms that I couldn’t get cleared up (skin lesions, general rash). I went to the Dermatologist and he prescribed topical medication for the rash. I used the medication for 4 weeks and wasn’t getting any better. Rather than go back to the Dermatologist and get a biopsy (which according to the doctor was the next step) I started investigation the side effects of the prescription medications that I was taking and started eliminating the ones that I didn’t absolutely have to take and still no change in my skin irritation. Now I started eliminating the OTC medications that I take. I have been off of Zyrtec for about 4 days now and my skin is finally starting to clear up (YEA!!!). I would have never guessed that Zyrtec could be causing the problem. I have also noticed that in general I am feeling better (better outlook on life, more energy, and clear headed). | F | 41 | 2 years 10 1X day | 4/25/2010 | 2 | Constant Sinus Problems | Wow this was eye opening. I was just lying in bed wondering what the heck was wrong with me! I even had my doctor set me up for blood work because I could sleep ALL day long. I have no energy and am PMSing all the time. This is all very unusual for me and was driving me crazy, until I read this. To boot, I still have PND, cough, etc....didn't seem to do much, but make me tired and irritable. | Thank you all for posting! | F | 41 | 7 days | 5/1/2007 | 2 | hives | I experienced headaches, moodiness, decreased libido. | Not sure if it helped me. Even though I only took it for six days, I was still getting hives. I would have taken it longer, but I started feeling really weird; headaches, body aches, moodiness, decreased libido. I may try it again at half the dosage and/or maybe every other day. | 41 | 6 days | 7/21/2006 | 1 | Allergies | I took Zyrtec for a few years with pretty good results (or so I thought at the time), but when I tried to get off the drug, it was nearly impossible becuase of the hives, the "heavy head" feeling and the overall tiredness. It took me about 2-3 weeks to get over the side effects of not taking it anymore. I haven't taken Zyrtec for over one year, but a month ago when Spring hit, I was miserable took Zyrtec and it seemed okay for the first few days, but I have gained ten pounds in one month and I am depressed and irritable, and it's very hard to get up in the morning. After reading all of your posts, I will get back off the drug once and for all! I am not looking forward to getting the hives and other side effects after I stop taking it, but I know from experience that it will eventually end. I have used a homepathic remedy that works pretty well and I am going back to using it (without ANY side effects), but you will still have a few occasional allergy symptoms, as nothing work | It is worth the symptoms to get off of the drug!!! Don't delay, get off of it now before it become even more difficult! Every day you wait, the harder it will be! | F | 41 | 30 days | 4/5/2007 | 1 | Post nasal drip and allergies | Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, nausea, diarrhea, gas, heart palpations, flushed cheeks, confusion and sensitivity to light. | This stuff is SCARY! I am a 41 year old man and this stuff had me breaking down in tears within 48 hours. I would just start crying over the smallest things. I'm currently unemployed and, although that's pretty stressful, I have never thought about suicide until I started taking Zyrtec. I was nauseas, had diarrhea, and if it wasn't for this website, I probably wouldn't have figured this out! I stopped taking it and I am slowly returning to normal. However, I switched to over-the-counter Claritin and I still have the mild nausea and flushed face. | M | 41 | 5 days | 6/7/2007 | 1 | allergies | Anger, tiredness, lack of appetite, night terrors | I have just tipped my bottle down the sink!! My 3 year old was on this off and on during the spring for allergies. While it helped with the allergies it turned my wee man into a tantrum throwing brat. The worst part was he ended up having night terrors and it would take hours to calm him down, never again!! | F | 41 | 5 days 5ml 1X day | 11/11/2010 | 1 | allergies | sleep problems, fast heartbeat and most recently night terrors after stopping dosage for 2 days | My recent allergy episode was so bad that I took Zyrtec and continued to take it for about 5 days. When the allergies got better, I stopped taking the drug. I woke up drowsy, sleepy and very irritable this morning. An hour later, after sending my son off to school, went for a nap and woke up 6 hours later from an upsetting dream. I was sluggish throughout the afternoon and early evening. Finally went to bed and shortly afterward began having night terrors for the first time in my life! I couldn't breath, felt paralized and had to lay there until I calmed down. Will not recommend this to anyone especially children. But for parents whose children are on this medication, I would suggest contacting a doctor as stopping the drug IMMEDIATELY HAS ITS OWN SIDE EFFECTS. Good luck. | F | 41 | 5 days 1X day | 11/17/2010 | 1 | allergies | My 7 yr old child who makes good grades and has never once been in trouble for anything at school was suspended with a behavior problem. It was totally out of character and the teachers and principal could not believe it. He became an anry, irritable, destructive child with strange and irrational behavior. We made an appointment with a psyc doc. It was not until several days later I realized the only change was that I had started giving him allergy medicine. Who whould have thought allergy medicine could do this. He stopped taking it and is completely normal without behavior issues. Could not believe it. | I am so sorry that I gave this medicine to my child. I will never ever recommend anyone give this medicine to children. I am curious if anyone else has experienced this similar problem with this drug. Please please let me know if you have. thank you. | M | 41 | 9 days 5mg 1X day | 9/11/2010 |