Drug Ratings for ZYRTECAverage Rating: 2.1 (1498 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken from longest to shortest 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 | 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 | seasonal allergies | heart racing, trouble breathing, severe anxiety, irrational thoughts, severe depression, low self esteem... | This is by far the most horrible drug EVER created!I'm so sad that I'm just now putting two and two together!My son has seasonal allergies so I've given him zyrtec for 2 weeks now. He approached me yesterday and told me that he needed to talk to me about something.I could see the concern in his eyes. He told me that he was afraid of me not loving him anymore if he told me these things. He told me that he was having very bad thoughts of hurting his family.I was needless to say shocked considering that he's the sweetest kid I know. He had also been complaining for several days about his "heart" hurting, and shallow breathing. he kept describing this weird feeling in his head,described it as a feeling of intense pressure. I spent the whole day with him trying to put possitive thoughts in his head. yesterday his allergies were bad,and just as I was about to reach for the zyrtec a little light went off. I looked up this drug and it's possible side effects. I'm so blessed that I found this website.I'm also so angry that so many of you had similar stories! The sad thing about this drug is that it is highly reccommended by so many Doctors!I would NEVER reccommend this to anyone! | M | 12 | 2 weeks | 9/5/2009 | 1 | Hives | Strong food cravings which caused weight gain, digestive problems and fatigue. | I do not recommend Zyrtec. I got stomach cramps and diarrhea. I had strong food cravings and therefore gained a lot of weight within only two weeks. I was also really tired during the day and had to take hour-long naps. I started taking Zyrtec together with Prednisone. After I stopped the Prednisone the side effects did not stop and acually got worse, plus the hives came back. After I stopped taking Zyrtec the sympoms dissappeared, but the hives were better than before I started taking any medication. My experience was that the hives were stress related and it has gotten a lot better since I accepted having the hives and do not have so much stress anymore. | F | 19 | 2 weeks | 2/13/2007 | 1 | allergies | Irritable, sadness, poor impulse control, crying spells, insatiable appetite. | My son is 5 and began taking Zyrtec 2 weeks ago for allergies. The first two days I was giddy with happiness because my sneezy, itchy snotty, miserable son had started waking up bright eyed and bushy-tailed. Then I realized how much his behavior was changing. His teacher started saying that he couldn't seem to control himself in class. Couldn't make a decision during choice time...on and on. She said it "wasn't like him" and wanted to know what was going on different. He also started crying more often for no reason and having strange dreams. And last, but not least, he started chasing and scaring our cat who he used to be so gentle and kind with. When I asked the doctor about the side effects, she was very blasse' about it. After reading the other comments about Zyrtec and kids on this site...I will never give it to him again. DO NOT GIVE YOUR CHILDREN ZYRTEC. IT IS NOT WORTH IT!!!! | M | 5 | 2 weeks | 10/18/2005 | 1 | seasonal allergies | Took at night for the first few days, and it seemed to help, kinda. But i was also give flonase and singulair. I stopped the flonase and singulair and continued with zyrtec, i forgot to take one that pm so i took it before work, i was "dingy" all day, felt off balance and just not right and i was SOOO sleepy, i had to leave work early and go home!. Thought ok, i will take it at night from now on, started the next night, i had nightmares all night, i had people chasing me, i woke up SO tired. Tried the next night, more nightmares..... took it for about another week, nightmares EACH night!!! think i would rather have a stuffy nose and itchy eyes than nightmares, i gave it up!! | F | 47 | 2 weeks 10mg 1X D | 10/12/2010 | 1 | Dr. diagnosed - atopic dermatitis | sleepy, irritable, angry, can't think clearly, illogical thoughts | The side effects of this drug sneaked up on me. I thought it was one of those non-drowsy drugs so the sleepy lethargic feelings were blamed on the fact that I thought I was getting older really quick. I am usually a nice even tempered person and responded with rage to someone that I love for something that may have otherwise made me mad but not vengeful. I also lectured a man in the grocery store yesterday because he took too long to pick out his lemons. Oh my gosh -- who is this insane woman? After I snapped at a few other people today I tried to analyze what was going on with me. I remembered that the Dr had given me zyrtec for my itchy skin a couple of weeks ago. I decided to look at the side effects and irritability is not given as one of the most prevalent side effects listed by the drug company. Anyway, I decided to look further and found this website and was relieved to hear that I'm most likely not losing my mind but suffering from taking this drug. I'll not take it again and hopefully my nasty alter ego will go away. | F | 49 | 2 weeks 10mg 1X D | 4/28/2010 | 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 | Depression, anxiety and severe mood swings (anger) | Clearly this drug acts as a psychotic. Very scary. Will not take again. | M | 42 | 2 weeks 10 1X D | 5/21/2010 | 1 | I have really bad allergies | Depersonalization, mood swings, tiredness, general feeling of being "out of it". | I suffer from severe allergies, especially in the spring when all the pollen comes out. I used to take regular Zyrtec a few years ago back when it was available as a prescription and I felt fine. It worked great for me. A few weeks ago I bought some Zyrtec-D and began taking it as directed. One tablet every 24 hours. Within a few days I started feeling moody and I snapped at people that I love over the stupid things. That combined with the tiredness made me think I was coming down with a cold but I never did. I kept taking it and within the last few days I have had severe depersonalization. I feel as though I am watching myself from within. Like I am living without actually living and experiencing life. I stopped taking it yesterday and the feelings have lessened but I can still feel the effects of taking Zyrtec. I would rather sneeze every day than suffer with the terrifying side effects of this drug. | M | 21 | 2 weeks 5 1X O | 5/23/2010 | 1 | hay fever/allergies | Extreme mood swings, anger, irritability, violent behavior. | My 9 year old son has been taking Zyrtec for the past few weeks. Until I saw this website with all the comments, we thought he was losing his mind. He has been extremely angry, irritable, and impulsive. He's been violent and lashing out at my husband and I, as well as our younger daughter. When we ask him what's going on with him, he began to cry saying "I don't know. I just feel so angry." Now I know that it most definitely has to be the Zyrtec. I can't believe this. This was recommended by his pediatrician too. I had a suspicion that the Zyrtec might have been an influence. I feel aweful that we've been giving him this drug and the anger has been the end result. I'm throwing this product out. Thank you to all of the other people who made comments. | M | 9 | 2 weeks 10mg 1X D | 5/2/2010 | 1 | sinus issuses | My son started this med about 2 weeks... he was JUMPING off the walls....so hyper...wouldnt calm down... I didnt understand why... Now, my son is peeing blood? Possible side effect of this med? PLEASE let me know if anyone has gone through the same problem? Im so worried about my son.... going for more tests tomorrow... OFF THE ZYRTEC! | F | 30 | 2 weeks | 4/16/2007 | 1 | severe allergies | you name it, thank goodness I tried it on myself PRIOR to giving it to my 3 year old. Moms and Dads, do a trial on YOURSELF, prior to administering to your kids. | go holistic, especially for the kids, try EFA's, magnesium, lipase enzymes, and probiotics.....it works most allergies are nutritional deficiencies | F | 36 | 2 weeks | 4/25/2006 | 1 | seasonal allergies | sleepy all the time, sad, moody, messed up my menstrual cycle. | not worth the side effects for the discomfort of seasonal allergies. | F | 26 | 2 weeks | 4/18/2005 | 1 | Allergies | WORST MEDICINE EVER. I am so glad that I found this website, although I had to search google to find it. I have been giving this to my 5 yr old daughter and I will stop immediatly. She has been crying when she goes to preschool for no reason. She has been having temper tantrums and just so moody. I feel so bad that I've been punishing her for her bad attitude, taking away cartoons, early to bed, taking away toys, etc... She tells me the reason she cries is because she is afraid that her grandma isn't going to come back and pick her up. I was so confused by this. She has been in preschool for over a month and hasn't ever felt this way. She didn't go to school on a Monday due to having the flu over the weekend and I took her that day to the doctor to deal with the allergies she has been having. My husband takes Zyrtec and it has worked well for him, so we started my daughter on it. I started on Monday evening. On Wed morning at preschool is when the crying started. This has been happenin | F | 5 | 2 weeks | 3/28/2007 | 1 | seasonal allergies | tired all day, couldn't finish sexually, just wanted to sleep all day, facial tick | i've always had a slight facial tick growning up...it wasn't anything major except for the time of year that school went back in seccion.. it's great to finally find out that it's been the allergy pills all along...now that there really isnt any stress in my life i've come to the realization that it's always been the allegra..switching to zyrtec seemed to be the answer..well it wasnt..i dont recomend this drug to anyone..having sexual performance problems at 25 is a scary thing..thank god i found this website and found out it wasnt me! | M | 25 | 2 weeks | 9/13/2007 | 1 | allergies, hives | Within a couple of days of taking zyrtec, I experienced feeling dizzy, nauseated and like I could fall asleep anywhere, anytime. Within the first week, I started having awful nightmares, very graphically horrific and I would wake up very disoriented. It would take me a good half hour to be able to open my eyes and just get out of bed, then I'd spend the whole day feeling groggy. I thought that it could be the medication, so I stopped taking it for a week. Within 3 days off of it, I started returning to completely normal. I thought that a great way to see if it truly was the zyrtec or not would be to try it one more time. All it took was one dose and my stomach is killing me and I could not wake up this morning for anything. It is 1:30pm and I am just starting to feel awake, however I'm still disoriented. | When I called my doctor's office to explain what I've been experiencing, they fluffed me off telling me that the side effects I complain about are not side effects of this medicine. How frustrating! | F | 30 | 2 weeks | 6/5/2007 | 1 | allergies | waking up for no reason, temper tantrums, crying for no reason, stopped eating. | My 23 month old son turned into a nightmare. I have been thinking it was do to the fact he's almost 2 years old. But, after reading comments on here I'm not so sure it's the terrible two's! My son started by waking up super early, he stopped eating, he has turned from a sweet happy boy into a temper tanturm throwing nightmare child. The smallest thing sets him off and I end up w/ a child who screams and cries for 40 plus minutes. All this started last week shortly after his 2 second dose of Zyrtec. I had no warning from my dr. about side effects she made it seem like a wonder drug. Thank God for this site other wise I would of gone on druging my poor baby. | M | 2 | 2 weeks | 9/10/2007 | 1 | allergies and sinus infections | palpitations, feeling disconnected, euphoria, dizziness, hallucinations, weird dreams, mind racing, insomnia, frequent urination, spaciness, OCD, reckless behavior, fast and uncontrollable rage, anger, crying, itching upon withdrawal...depression, OCD, cramping, nausea, extreme tiredness, pain everywhere, inability to focus, loss of motor control, disoriented, waking REM, headaches, itching | This is a dangerous drug. I am so sick after taking this. I stopped taking it two days ago, and I feel so bad. A few years ago, I took a anti-epileptic drug (a dangerous narcotic) called Lyrica and almost lost my life. The side-effects and withdrawal that I am experiencing from Zyrtec are similar...although not quite as profound. I almost got in several car wrecks over the past few days...I hit my dog (hard) for no reason except this fast, uncontrollable rage that came out of nowhere (I love my dogs and would never hurt them)...I can't quiet my mind...I'm so tired and can't sleep...and I'm just not thinking straight. This is a scary drug. Please be careful. Before taking this, I was doing well in life...healthy, happy... Just be careful. | F | 35 | 2 weeks | 2/15/2008 | 1 | allergies | My two year old was a bear on the product. Did some research found other stories simular. | We started my kids on a natural product. I'm not saying it cures but our allergy symptoms are not a problem. Check it out for yourself www.monavie.com Any questions email me kevin6736@att.net | M | 40 | 2 weeks | 2/8/2008 | 1 | seasonal allergies | Oh my goodness! I read through the other side effects from people listed here and I thought they were writing about me. I have had unusual anger issues to the point that my husband didn't know me, depression, highs and lows, dry mouth, not necessarily suicidal but I didn't care if I lived or died. But the worst is stomach pain! I am going to stop taking this stuff to verify that this pain is truly coming from Zyrtec. I have had on and off stomach acid for several days, but after being up last night till 3am with unbearable stomach pain I decided to research symptoms and side effects of this drug. I take it with food so I dont think the pain is from taking it on an empty stomach. I have never experienced stomach acid problems. It's as though I have swallowed a red hot poker. I have breast tenderness much like a women's menstrual cycle might produce, puffiness, etc. Some of the side effects of this stuff are like having PMS from hell! I am going to stop taking it today and hope for bette | F | 45 | 2 weeks | 4/26/2008 | 5 | Hives | No side effects as of yet (1 week) except possibly a little insomnia. The insomnia might be due to having just come off another antihistamine I was on previously, though. It put me to sleep, and now, without it, I find it hard to resume normal sleeping patterns. | I have quite a lot of food allergies which caused hives to break out all over my face. I know quite a few of my triggers, but avoiding that many foods often proves impossible. Zyrtec has taken care of the issue 100%, even when I'm badly abusing my privileges. I am taking only 10 mg per day, but I will double-up sometimes when it has been more than 8 hours and l know I will be heavily indulging in "bad" foods. It is a miracle worker. | F | 24 | 1 weeks | 12/16/2008 | 3 | Allergies | HEARTBURN!!!! which I haven't seen commented by anybody else. I don't easily get heartburn but noticed this right away. And very tired/drowsy - more so then with CTs. Plus after Day 2, I noticed my fingers and feet were very swollen. I haven't had this symptom with any other allergy med. | It works GREAT for minimizing allergy symptoms, but you have to decide if the side affects are worth it. I absolutely WOULD NOT give this medication to a young child. It's too strong. I probably won't continue to take it except under the most extreme allergy attacks. | F | 43 | 1 weeks | 5/22/2008 | 2 | allergies | Became anxious, bit withdrawn, obssessed over irrational worries.No matter how much we tried to disprove worries did not believe us. Said his brain would not stop worring even though he knew they were silly. Would melt down,cry,kick thought he was going to get into trouble.Symptoms of OCD and general anxiety dissorder. | Worked for nasal problem. Unfortunately when he was on 5mg(1 week) I did not pay attention to small amount of anxiety and dosage was increased to 10mg(1 week). This intensified anxiety,irrationality and worries. When zyrtec was stopped behavior calmed down. Now we are left with residual effect. I though something happened and he was now crazy.Feel helpless that I did not see this in beginning and must now suffer through effects and seek psychological help . | M | 6 | 1 weeks | 5/23/2007 | 2 | Seasonal Rhinitis | Vivid, emotional dreams. Dissociation. Fatigue. Altered thinking. It has been very strange. I'd wake up at night very scared. I'd wake up and think I was losing my mind. Hard to get along with my family while on this - I'm married with 4 kids, so not a great side effect. Great for allergies, no doubt, I'm just not eager to start all the psychiatric medications I'm going to need for the side effects. | This is a very weird drug. I thought I was I was becoming mentally ill until I found this site. I think I'll save it for only the worst outbreaks of ragweed allergy and take my licks in the meantime. Nothing else seems to work. | M | 34 | 1 weeks | 6/5/2006 | 2 | seasonal allergies | Naseau,tremors,hot sweats,rapid heart beat, my body went numb, head ache. | I did fine on it in the spring when I started it up again come fall I had side effects...I will never take this stuff again due to the horrible way it made me feel. | F | 27 | 1 weeks 10 1X D | 9/30/2011 | 1 | severe year round allergies | I don't even remember if there were any, because I was on it for such a short time. | It didn't even work in the least bit! My body had developed a resistance to Claritin-D, so I was looking for a new alternative for my allergies. This was clearly not it! | F | 19 | 1 weeks 1X D | 9/20/2011 | 1 | allergies | Nasty, nasty, nasty! Gave this to my 10 year-old son for allergies (chronic sinus infections). I just started Clarinex myself 2 weeks ago, but before that nobody in our family or extended families have ever been on allergy medicine, so it's very new to me. I don't like the idea of my child being on medication like this every day. Anyway, we started the Zyrtec and within a couple days, our son turned into a nasty, combative, argumentative child. My ordinarily calm husband and myself were at our wits' ends with him and were ready to consider therapy. My husband wondered if it was the Zyrtec. Then I remembered that when my son was little (and his older sister also), I could not give them cold medicine because it would turn them into little monsters. I figured it was because they were sick. Anyway, I stopped the Zyrtec several days ago and WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Overnight, he changed back into the son I know and love. The doctor called in a prescription for a nasal spray this afternoo | I notice that a large percentage of children with this same reaction are male. I wonder what the correlation is, if there is one. | M | 10 | 1 weeks | 4/15/2006 | 1 | Ragweed Allergies | This med causes severe depression! Take at your own risk. They advertise it as non-sedating, that's almost laughable. It's as sedating as Benedryl. If you feel suicidal or dark depression, get off of it ASAP before you harm yourself or others. Take Quercetin for seasonal allergies from your local Health Food Store. It's a natural Mast Cell Stabilizer made from the white rind of lemons or onion peel. The allergy drug Nalcrom is the synthetic version of Quercetin. It's cheap, effective, and actually "good for you" in that it's a powerful anti-oxidant and will reduce free-radical damage (aging). | M | 40 | 1 weeks 20 MG | 9/7/2012 | 1 | allergies/asthma | My son who is 2 1/2 had MAJOR TEMPER TANTRUMS and VIOLENT OUTBURSTS where he would hit and kick...not only hurting people but himself...he would throw things and kick and SCREAM!!! Almost like he had no control of his impulses and exaggerated temper. This was not like him at all. Stopped the medication and my nice son returned. Sure he had a tantrum here and there but they were normal toddler ones...not scarry ones. | I was not aware until coming to this website that this can be a side effect. His Dr. prescribed it for supplemental allergy fighter as he also takes Singulair and Pulmicort for his asthma. I would rather him be congested and cough than have these fits. I think we will stick to Claritin. | M | 2.5 | 1 weeks | 9/26/2004 | 1 | allergies | i took zyrtec at the age of 8. i started getting heart palpitations and stopped taking it that same week, after going to doctors who all insisted they were caused by zyrtec. At 13 i had an episode where my heart was racing 250 beats per minute and i found myself in the emergency room where i was given Adenosine, which is a drug that basically resets the heartrate and causes extreme chest discomfort. Im now 16 and i've had to go to the emergency room about 5 times since then, my heart rate reaching about 260 beats per minute. All because of palpitations zyrtec was causing when i was 8. | Now i have to get heart surgery. thanks zyrtec, ha. | F | 16 | 1 weeks | 10/3/2007 | 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 | 1 | allergies/asthma | extreme drowsiness, fatigue, depression, | I feel this drug is addictive and a sedative and if you stop it, your allergy symptoms are worse than ever. | F | 49 | 1 weeks | 3/23/2005 | 1 | Seasonal allergies, hives | My pre-school age son undergoes a complete personality change on this stuff. From sweet and chatty to aggressive, moody, and irritable. On it three days and his teacher said he was like a different kid. It gave him nightmares, too. Took him off and back to normal. We'll treat his allergies with something else. Better the hives than this. | M | 5 | 1 weeks | 5/3/2005 | 1 | allergies | Became anxious,bit withdrawn, had irrational thoughts and worries. Nothing we did could stop the worries or disprove his thoughts. He said his brain would not stop even thought he knew thoughts were silly.Would melt down crying about worries.Would obsess over worries (Symptons of OCD.) | Worked on nasal problem.Unfortunaly did not notice small changes when he was on 5mg1 week and was increased to 10 mg for 1 week.This sent him over the edged. When medicine stopped behavior improved.But now left with phsycological effect. Feeling frustrated and helpless as a parent to see your child go through this and think they are crazy. | M | 6 | 1 weeks | 5/23/2007 | 1 | Allergies | Anxiety | Does anyone know of any class action lawsuits against Pfizer for ZYRTEC? | M | 27 | 1 weeks | 6/21/2007 | 1 | Allergies | Very tired, puffy eyes, rash/ dry patches on face (red, splotchy). A little moody but that has been a symptom of all allergy medicines. Side effects overshadowed any positive results from taking the medicine. | F | 49 | 1 weeks | 6/11/2008 | 1 | Severe allergies | My 4 year old daughter has severe food and environmental allergies. She was prescribed Singulair and Zytrec at the same time. She had only been on the medication one week and she started to act like she was possessed. She went from a sweet little angel to a child with sever behavorial outbreaks and was extremely emotional. After finding this site I called her allergist and they told me to stop the medications immediately. My question is.... Why wasn't I told this was a possible side effect in the first place????? | Do not give this drug to your child. | F | 4 | 1 weeks | 6/11/2008 | 1 | seasonal allergies | violent dreams | I am a 22 year old male and have had severe seasonal allergies my whole life. I use to take Allegra D for my allergies, however, after taking it for a while I need to switch my allergy medicene. First, my doctor gave me Singular which worked but I would have very violent dreams, so I stopped taking it. Then I tried some generic that didn't work for me. This past week I bought Zytec over the counter, which does work, but I am back to having very violent dreams, that honestly make me feel like a bad person when I wake up. Mostly these dreams include some type of extreme fighting, but sometimes they exceed that. | M | 22 | 1 weeks | 5/30/2009 | 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 D | 4/19/2010 | 5 | allergies | excessive weight gain! | Zyrtec really alleviated my allergic reactions (environmental and food allergies) but I gained approx. 15 lbs within a few months of being on it. | F | 36 | 500 days | 5/29/2008 | 1 | allergy control for allergy asthma | I started taking the Zyrtec in December, and within 60 days gained 20 pounds. I was told I had simply reached 'that age'. While taking the Zyrtec non-stop over the year - the weight continued to add on at about 1 pound per month after I was told that Zyrtec could increase appetite. So - the increase continued even though I was re-doubling my efforts to change. Prior to taking this medication, I have NEVER had any problems with weight...EVER. And since taking it, even life-style changes in diet and exercise have had no impact. I find that shocking for someone who NEVER exercised to be able to get nothing out of it at all. It's counter intuitive, to say the least. I also experienced other side effects, which may also have resulted from the weight gain - I sweat ALL the time. I never used to sweat very much at all. | It was only partially effective in keeping my sinuses drained. I took it religiously as sinus infection preventative, and I still ended up with an infection at my usual time of year - the following winter. The infection cleared up more readily without antibiotic and it kept things flowing and prevented the facial pain. But, overall, especially with the side effects, I wouldn't consider this any better than any OTC sinus drainage drug that could be started AFTER the sinus infection sets in. | F | 38 | 460 days | 1/29/2008 | 5 | Hives | Fatigue | Yes, Zyrtec makes me tired, but it is certainly better than being covered in hives! It has been extremely efficient at curing my itchy skin (but less effective for nasal allergies), and I am very happy with this drug. | F | 43 | 365 days 10 2X D | 1/18/2011 | 4 | dustmite allergies | Realizing that my son, age 15, has been experiencing sleepwalking, and it is getiing worse. He almost walked out of the house at night, and he has become frightened to sleep lest he sleepwalk again. | We are not going to take it for 30 days to see if it makes a difference. | M | 15 | 365 days 30 mg?? 1X D | 9/29/2010 | 1 | allergies | My 8 year old daughter is, by nature, a little scattered and high mental energy. She was put on zyrtec by her allergist, in combination with allergy shots. We stopped the zyrtec last week when the discount mega-bottle we'd bought a few months ago ran out. Well, suddenly, we had our daughter back. She had become obnoxiously rude, unable to focus or sit still for any real amount of time, had difficulties getting to sleep, had frequent temper tantrums, argued incessantly, and generally became nearly intolerable to be around--honestly, I had thought about getting her a psych evaluation and entering into family therapy. Last night, 4 days without zyrtec, I found her quietly engaged in an art project, listening to music. We had spent the first non-aggressive, non-shouting, non-totally hyper weekend we've had in months. I am SO GLAD we stopped this horrible drug. Please, if you suspect your child's behavior has changed, take them off the zyrtec. It isn't worth it. Severe allergies are truly m | F | 8 | 160 days 1 tab 1X D | 8/9/2010 | 4 | Year round allergies | Chronic fatigue and weight gain | I have been wondering lately why I've been gaining weight and I can never seem to get enough sleep. Zyrtec is the only medication I take so I decided to google it's side effects. I was shocked to see everyone's horror stories. I just bought another bottle today, but now I want to throw it in the trash. I'm worried about being able to quit the drug. The sad part is that it works great on my allergies. Good luck everyone in getting off of it. | F | 32 | 140 days 10 1X D | 2/15/2011 | 1 | Allergies | Weight gain, constipation, bloating, swelling in hands and wrists, headaches, depressed mood, irritability, fatigue, difficulting concentrating | I am so relieved to have found this website. I thought I was going crazy. Since starting Zyrtec four months ago I have gained ten pounds despite a healthy diet and fanatically regular exercise including running and weight training. Many of my side effects mimic my premenstrual symptoms but I stopped making excuses when my wrists were swelling so much during the day my watch would get tighter and tighter. I am dumbfounded that a drug now available over the counter could have such significant side effects. I switched back to Loratidine three days ago and I already feel the "cloud" lifting over my head. | F | 38 | 120 days | 11/17/2008 | 1 | allergies | Sleepy, so i took it at night. when I stoppped taking it I was so itchy, then got hives! I felt like I had things crawling on me. Immediately started on allegra. Will never take zyrtec again. | F | 25 | 120 days | 3/12/2005 | 4 | seasonal allergies | 1 per 24 hrs is not always enough | F | 41 | 90 days | 8/29/2008 | 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 | allergy | My nine year old Grandson is experiencing side effects from the use of the generic brand (cetirzine)10 mg purchased by his parents at Walmart. He is having irregular heartbeat, mental and mood changes, difficulty breathing and tightness in his chest. I have addressed these problems with his parents and they blame it on behavior problems and will not take him off of this drug. Please help other children who parents relate everything to behavior problems that is clearly being caused by this drug. The Generic drugs should also be recalled, they have many bad side effects that are being ignored by parents. Please help to get the word out about the generic drugs too so they will have to recall them too. | Do not give any of drugs to your children including the generic brand. They are all bad, stop blaming their behavior on ADHD, Aspergers, etc. It is the drug causing your children problems. Parents please wake up. I am doing what I can to get my grandson off of these drugs but unfortunately Grandparents have no rights. | M | 9 | 90 days 10 mg 1X D | 5/2/2010 | 1 | Seasonal Allergies | I have been giving this medication to my 5 year old son for his symptoms associated with his seasonal allergies.. after a month of taking the meds I noticed he started sleepwalkin and then later got depressed and at times would tell me "mom, i'm just sad!" I really didn't put it all together until i came across this website.. he will stop taking Zyrtec as of today!!! | M | 5 | 90 days 5ML 1X D | 10/15/2010 | 1 | allergies | Night Sweats, fatigue | When I moved to Spain they switched me from using Xyzal to Zyrtec because they didn't carry Xyzal, and after the first few months I started noticing horrible night sweats. The sheets are wet, my clothes are soaked! I'm more tired than usual as well. It worked for the allergies but I'm losing sleep from being soaked half way through the night. | F | 30 | 90 days 10 mg 1X D | 2/24/2011 | 1 | Allergy/Runny Nose | Hives and aggressive mood, lots of biting. | My son started taking this stuff when he was 16 months old and with in 2 weeks of taking it I noticed him biting a lot more. The people at his day care said he was extremely aggressive to the other children. Now lately he has had hives. He is now 19 months and still has the runny nose. This medicine is not good. | M | 34 | 90 days | 1/24/2007 | 1 | Seasonal allergies | malaise, lack of focus and motivation, overly sensitive | Sneaky side effects that creep up. I was shocked at how much better I felt when I quit taking--I had no suspicion and never felt the normal antihistamine drowsiness. I thought I was becoming depressed. | F | 43 | 90 days | 11/17/2008 | 1 | Seasonal allergies | Very bizarre, disturbing dreams which left me exhausted in the morning. | I thought I was going crazy until I read all the other feedback here about people having weird dreams while taking Zyrtec. I've been on Allegra for years, and thought I'd try switching over to Zyrtec for a change of pace - and to see if it worked better. What a mistake! I haven't slept well in the 3+ months I've been on Zyrtec. At first I was attributing the dreams to stress, but when they continued I pinpointed the start of the dreams to about the time I started Zyrtec. So, I've stopped taking it and gone back to Allegra. The weird dreams have stopped and I am getting great sleep. In the past I have also had odd reactions to Claritin and Seldane (anyone remember that stuff?) I would not recommend Zyrtec. | F | 48 | 90 days | 8/7/2009 | 1 | skin rush &spring allergys | Hair loss, weight gain,restless sleep, fatigue and excessive sweating | it did work for my allergy 100% ,today is 3d day after i went off Zyrtec and slept through the night with no interruptions for 1st time since i started take and no more nightsweats and scalp burning ...and allergy is back... It helps with the allergies but the side effects are not worth it. | F | 44 | 70 days 10 mg 1X D | 5/26/2010 History | 4 | Allergies | Tiredness, stomach problems | I've been taking 5mg of Zyrtec for the last couple of months on an "as needed" basis. Before taking Zyrtec I was taking Prevacid for my stomach and thought I was going to be able to go off of the Prevacid soon, as I was doing really well. After starting the Zyrtec my stomach started getting worse and I even had to up the dosage on my Prevacid. Then I developed stomach spasms and had to start taking Levsin. In the past I'd take one or two dosages and things would be back to normal. I have been trying to get my stomach settled down for a week and it's finally more calm. Just tonight when I was thinking about taking a Zyrtec I realized that might be the problem. I found this web site and now I'm sure my stomach issues are from the Zyrtec. I'm going to refrain from taking it and see if my stomach is better. It's most certainly the Zyrtec or Flexeril (5mg) I took from time to time. | F | 47 | 60 days | 6/27/2007 | 3 | Seasonal Allergies | Helped with seasonal allergies but terrible behavior problems as a result. Like so many parents on this site, we never put 2 and 2 together. His teacher pulled me aside today for the 2nd time in 2 weeks to discuss increasing behavior problems and even aggressive behavior. We all think our kids are the best but this one really is a kind natured kid, NEVER before have I been told he is hitting other kids. The teacher felt like he just can’t help himself and was concerned. This site has totally freaked me out. I feel terrible, all the discipline and frustration and it’s a side affect. Increased appetite is something we saw a long time ago. I’m VERY disappointed with the doctors for not having us be on the lookout for this. | Pick your poison, allergy symptoms or behavioral problems. STAY AWAY from this drug, seek alternatives and monitor changes of any kind. | M | 4 | 60 days | 5/10/2007 | 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 | Seasonal Allergies | weight gain/increased appetite, irritability, mild depression | Zyrtec didn't really work that well for me by itself so my doctor gave me a nasal spray to use with it. That helped, but it still didn't get rid of my symptoms completely. The side effects aren't worth it to me so I'm going off it. | F | 26 | 60 days | 8/1/2006 |