Drug Ratings for ZYRTECAverage Rating: 2.1 (1508 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 26 |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ZYRTEC | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 2 | Cat allergies | It helped the allergy symptons, but oh my the side effects!! It effected my mood and interfered with a good night sleep. I couldn't believe how it changed my mood. I'm usually pretty easy going and all I wanted to was fight. Also I have had very little sleep in the last two weeks. Woke up one morning and found a unopened can of pop and bag of candy by the side of my bed. Weird!! Not taking it tommorrow, I'd rather find another home for the cat!! | F | 52 | 14 days 10 MG 1X D | 2/28/2012 | 2 | asthma/allergies | my son was on Zyrtec at the age of 7 for about two weeks. It did not help his allergies. One day he woke up screaming with abdominal pain and a belly that looked like a 5 month pregnant woman. We rushed him to the hospital and discovered that he was completely blocked in his bowels. The dr said that this was caused by the Zyrtec. We took him off of it and within days he was better. | M | 7 | 14 days 5 or 10mg 1X D | 1/4/2011 | 1 | Allergis | HORRIBLE attitude, tired, drowsey, ancious, weight gain, snappy, rude, stuffed up nose, dry nose, headache. | M | 50 | 14 days 10 1X D | 10/25/2011 | 1 | allergies | dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, depression, itchy scalp, insomnia. | I had no problems while taking Zyrtec, MAJOR withdrawls starting 3 days after my last dose. I felt a dizziness that I can't find the words for, almost like I was in space, this happens randomly throughout the day. I feel cloudy and can't think straight when this is happening to me. Initially I didnt even realize that this was from the Zyrtec, I thought I had something seriously wrong with me so I went to get blood work done. I though I was diabetic. My results all came back 100% normal. My mother was the one who said "Hey do you think it could be from the Zyrtec you were taking"? I thought no way, so I decided to search for zyrtec withdrawls and I am amazed at all the similar stories. It has now been about 8 days since my last dose and I am still having these strange dizzy spells. Now to top it all off I have been getting literally 2-3 hours sleep at night, tossing and turning like crazy! It is so frustrating. I am so tired yet if I lay down to sleep, the second I dose off I am awake again. I hope this stuff is out of my system soon! | M | 31 | 14 days 5 2X D | 7/20/2011 | 1 | Runny nose and itching eyes | My normally challenging child -- high energy, silly, rambunctious, etc., began to react with screaming at everything that he didn't like as soon as we started him on it. Yesterday, he absolutely melted down in a grocery store - screaming, growling, kicking, etc. He's never been a model for correct behavior, but he's never been an ANGRY child like this before. He will not be getting another dose. | Zyrtec has provided me with one of the most horrifying, humiliating experiences of my life. I feel horrible that my son had to experience this. I note that there are many people who did not connect their negative behavior with the drug and have suffered years because of it. What a shame. | M | 8 | 14 days 10 mg 1X D | 4/19/2012 | 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 | allergy | My 5 soon to be 6 year old son started taking zyrtec about 2 weeks ago. On his last progress report, his teacher stated: "Alex is such a nice boy to have in class. I can always count on Alex to pay attention. Great job!". Since starting Zyrtec for less than two weeks. . .we've had 3 bad behavior letters sent home siting "dangerout behavior" like stabbing with pencils, throwing mulch and poking kids with a stick! He went from darling to dangerous in less than one week! I found this web site, thankfully, and will NEVER give him another zyrtec. I'll take the stuffy nose and continue with his allergy shots! | F | 38 | 14 days | 3/16/2006 | 1 | For nasal allergiesand sinusitis | Started giving myson zyrtec in the mornings which made him groggy- so switched to night.After 2 weeks , I forgot a dose.He woke up at 1.30 a.m. with violent shaking and visual hallucinations.I thought he had a bad nightmare-it did not help that he also had a viral fever at the point. Next two days I gave zyrtec he slept through the fever. Then I missed a dose again and pronto he was up at 1.35 am with the exact same symptoms of seeing lights and monsters.He has never had such episodes before and reading all this definitely points to Zyrtec interefering with the mental state. He is definitely coming off Zyrtec. | To top it all it did not relieve his sinus sysmptoms either. | M | 4 | 14 days | 11/22/2005 | 1 | seasonal allergies | Unusual irritability, sleeplessness, fatigue, moodiness, tantrums | My 3 year old son started taking zyrtec liquid two weeks ago. After 1 week he became incredibly moody, was having trouble paying attention in school, would not nap despite being very fatigued. He also became so disruptive in class that his teachers called a parent-teacher conference with us because they were so concerned about him being "not himself." This is a child who is even-tempered and easygoing 99% of the time. In the span of a week he would dissolve in tears and tantrums throughout the day at the drop of a hat! We stopped zyrtec 36 hours ago. My sweet little boy is back. His teachers said he had a "great day today", took a long nap, paid attention in circle time, and fell asleep easily (while singing happily) for the first time in a week. Zyretc should include a strong warning regarding possible marked physical and psychological effects in children! If anyone knows how/where to report this, please contact me. I am calling my son's doctor in the m | M | 3 | 14 days | 4/20/2006 | 1 | Allergies | My 5 year old son, who is very well mannered, became an absolute terror after only two weeks!! He was calm, focused, nice, understanding ... and all of a sudden he's throwing tantrums and we're being called into school daily. | Children should not take this medicine under any circumstances!! I'm really mad that no one warned us of these complications!! | M | 27 | 14 days | 11/1/2006 | 1 | Extreme nightmares, stomach ache, tantrums and not sleeping. | My son was taking Zytec off and on since 6 months of age. He is 3 now. He is a wonderful child and sleeper. The last 2 weeks on Zyrtec - 1/2 dose has been hell. He saw a tv picture of a fire one day and hasn't been the same sense. He has been off of the poison for 5 days now and he is STILL having nighmares. This drug is terrible and we were not warned either. What to do next with his allergies???? | M | 3 | 14 days | 7/9/2006 | 1 | allergies to pets and pollen | I started giving my 4 year old son zyrtec 2-3 weeks ago and within a day or so he started refusing to eat and saying his stomach hurt every day. He has also been very clingy, saying weird things all the time. He has been very tired and always seems sleep deprived. I can't believe how many complaints I have found online about this drug and its effect on children's behavior. I will never give him zyrtec again. | F | 33 | 14 days | 3/11/2009 | 1 | allergies | complete fog and depression. i have been diagnosed as bi-polar but am not currently medicated for it. i am fine (not manic or depressive) if i keep my system clean. (meaning without drugs or alcohol of any kind). i started taking zyrtec two weeks ago and have non-stop crying fits, lethargy, thoughts of suicide and deep depression. i tried not taking it for a few days and realized my head was clear, (my sinuses weren't) and my mood was back to normal. i could function again and the crying stopped. I don't think it effects everyone this way. But I think if you have some sort of chemical imbalance to begin with, it sets off the depression. I would NOT recommend this medicine. | F | 27 | 14 days | 10/3/2008 | 1 | Cat allergy | Extreme dizzy/spaced-out feeling, fatigued but unable to sleep, irritability, trouble focusing | I've taken Zyrtec occasionally over the past few years, but I recently got a kitten which has made my allergies act up, so I have taken Zyrtec everyday for the past 3 weeks. Throughout this time, I've felt OK, a little tired/spaced out, unable to stay asleep, but I attributed all of that to lack of sleep. However, I didn't take the med for about 3 days, and felt fine. Then, I started it up again, and ever since, I have had the terrible symptoms I described. I feel like my state of consciousness is totally altered. I'm completely spaced-out. You know feeling when you stand up to quickly after lying down? I'm experiencing that same feeling constantly for 3 days now. Yesterday I stopped taking the Zyrtec, and hopefully I will have my brain back. | F | 21 | 14 days | 6/18/2009 | 1 | seasonal allergies | I am so glad to read that other people are having the same side effects that I am and I am not losing my mind. I have become depressed, irritable, angry, and can't stop eating - all since starting Zyrtec 13 days ago. I am stopping it today though. I can't tolerate these side effect any longer. I don't think my family can either. | F | 42 | 13 days 10 mg 1X D | 9/17/2010 | 1 | Allergies | My daughter just started taking Zyrtec. Today the school called and said she was having a nervous break down. She is not the same kid. She is depressed, has anxiety, and talking about things a child her age should not even remember. I feel horrible for giving her this drug. She keeps saying "mommy I'm sad inside." | I called the doctor and he said to take her off of it immediately. Why do they prescribe it if there is this many problems???? | F | 5 | 13 days 5mg 1X D | 5/11/2010 | 3 | suggested for winter allergies | Depressed, ill tempered, overly emotional. Like a super bad case of PMS-ing only I wasn't! Also had bad headaches for the first few days. Took only for just under two weeks. Helped w/allergy symptoms but I did not feel it was worth the side effects. | Additionally when I went off Zyrtec, I developed a major migraine type headache followed by extreme nausea and fatigue. Went away after a day. | F | 40 | 12 days | 4/3/2009 | 1 | Seasonal Allergies | My 4 year old has been on Zyrtec for 2 weeks. Irritability, mood swings, extreme fatigue, acting out, defiant, sad, etc | My son's behavior changed so dramatically on this medication, it was scary. He became a different person. My husband and I kept trying to pinpoint what was causing the changes and by chance I googled Zyrtec side effects and found this page. Thank God. I absolutely believe this is the cause and he will NOT be on this medication again. | F | 37 | 12 days | 4/8/2009 | 1 | allergies | 6 yr old son- became depressed wanted to hurt himself and others | M | 6 | 12 days | 3/7/2005 | 1 | sinusitis | My 8-year-old daughter was given zyrtec for 2 weeks to treat sinusitis first and then sinus infection. She became moody, started displaying extreme anger and irritability. It culminated into a terrible, violent temper tantrum on day 12, in which she was screaming, scratching her face and kicking everything around her. This is totally uncharacteristic for her. As a toddler she threw a few tantrums, but never as violent as this. It didn't occur to me it was the medication until then. She's now off of it for 3 days. Lingering effects on her mood continue but to a lesser degree. | I had been reading on this site about similar effects on adults and children who took Claritin and other loratadine brands. She had taken Claritin for a week two months back, for similar sinus-related complains. After the violent tantrum, I checked for Zyrtec effects, and was surprised to find the same. Our pediatrician never warned us of such side effects. All my research on the web didn't bring up anything like that, until I FOUND THIS SITE. It's the only place where this information is available. THANKS. | F | 9 | 12 days | 2/22/2005 | 1 | spider bite | terrible migraine lasting a week....changes in mood, depression, irritability, hair falling out, high blood pressure | F | 53 | 12 days | 4/26/2005 | 1 | allergies | Sleeplessness. Night wakings for hours!!! | My 3 year old daughter started this medication b/c she keeps getting ear infections. The ENT's thought was that she is having mucus settle and is causing the chronic problem. After 5 days she slept great; after 6 days it has become hell!!! She usually goes to bed happily. Now she screams herself to sleep and is up for most of the night. This stuff is awful!!! I'm calling the ENT on Monday. This is not worth the side effects of a 3 year old and entire family not being able to function due to exhaustion. | F | 37 | 12 days | 1/11/2009 | 5 | allergies: sneezing, itchy nose | Weight gain; sleepiness. | I was sneezing about 80 times per day. Sneezing stopped immediately, dropping to 1 to 2 times per day. Was puzzled by the weight gain until I read the comments on this site. This side effect not listed in the nsert, but enough people commented on it here that it seems to explain it. | F | 44 | 10 days | 6/6/2006 | 5 | itchy skin and allergies | No side effects. This drug is a wonder for me. | I love this drug. Nothing else worked for me. My itchy skin depends on it. I have to take it everyday or I am miserable. I have no side effects and am thankful since I see so many negative responses. I'm not anti-social, not depressed, not irritable, no panic attacks, no bad dreams,etc. Looks like I"ll be taking this drug for as long as it helps me. 10 years and couting. I'm very glad it's OTC now. | F | 29 | 10 days | 10/28/2009 | 4 | sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose | headache, low energy, persistant cough | great for running nose and sneezing , but i am not sure it was worth it, due to the side effects, | M | 56 | 10 days | 5/11/2008 | 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 | 3 | Sinus infection from allergies | Atypical irritability | M | 53 | 10 days 10 mg | 6/5/2013 | 3 | Seasonal Allergies | Constipation, pimples on face/chest | It is weird that since I started taking Zyrtec that I noticed acne on my face and chest and have become constipated. It did not help all that great with my allergies...needless to say that I will not be taking anymore Zyrtec--it is definitely not recommended! | F | 27 | 10 days | 5/14/2009 | 2 | seasonal allergies | extreme irritability | I had fairly immediate mood issues- everyone in the family noticed. I stopped taking it- mood issues cleared up- resumed taking it mood issues came back. I don't take it anymore! | F | 40 | 10 days | 7/1/2008 | 2 | Allergies | It helped with my allergies such as the drainage, the runny nose, the itchy eyes, but it made me extremely drowsy. So much so it worried my coworkers that something was wrong with me when I passed out in front of my computer. I even dozed off while standing. That amount of drowsiness can be dangerous and it didn't even show up until about a week after taking the Zyrtec. The day I stopped taking it, there was an immediate difference in how drowsy I felt. I even switched between taking it in the morning to taking it at night with no difference except that taking it at night made it really difficult for me to wake up in the morning. | Beware of extreme drowsiness | F | 21 | 10 days | 10/20/2009 | 2 | Seasonal allergies | Vivid, strange dreams, severe stomach doscomfort, excessive gas. | I started taking zyrtec, well generic zyrtec about 10 days ago, after about two days i was having very strange dreams, unlike my normal ones. About 6 days after starting it i was experienceng severe stomach discomfort, no vomitting or dhiarrea, just a sour feeling, along with excessive gas. I didnt really put it all together until i stumbled upon this page, and it was a great help. I started thinking there was something wrong to me, but now it is clear that zyrtec is to blame | M | 27 | 10 days 10mg 1X D | 4/18/2010 | 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 | 2 | Allergies | My angel turned into a devil. She's never yelled, hit, screamed or threw tantrums until taking this medication. 10 days ago, she was prescribed Zyrtec for allergies. About 7 days ago, I noticed she started to yell in frustration when taken away from a toy (to eat, change etc). About 4 days ago, she started actually throwing tantrums, with the worst being yesterday. 40 minutes of yelling, crying, screaming. Who is this child?! I finally decided to reread the side effects in the literature given to us by the pharmacy and there in black and white it states "immediately report mental/mood changes to your doctor". She is now off the medication. Yikes! | Now that I've read some entries on this site, I see that she may have had other symptoms as well. Staring off into space for long periods of time, waking in the middle of the night, even crying out in her sleep. How long does this medication stay in your system? Does anyone know? | F | 2 | 10 days | 8/21/2007 | 1 | seasonal allergies & environmental | 10 year user of Zyrtec.....75 pound weight gain, my daily thoughts revolved around wanting to sleep, feet and hand swelling, No energy at all, No joy, No affect in my personality, sad and antisocial thoughts & irrational rage. | Quite frankly, I'm scared....Hard to admitt that I didn't put this drug and what has been happening to me for the past 10 years together. I've lost a decade ... my 40's to being in the bad zyrtec haze. I did implore my doctors to help me but they never made the connection to my allergy drug.....Finally, my sister took action and researched this drug and found your website....Well, it's like reading my story over and over again. Okay, what to do....I'm trying to ween myself off and I too have the extreme itching...mainly my hands, scalp, welts on legs when I go 3 days off zrytec. My sleep patterns are so messed up trying to back off this drug. The one thing that I'm trying to be grateful for is that I feel happy for the first time in 10 + years...I'm engaging with others....I'm interested in things...Do you know how long it's been? I look at my body distorted by the awful weight gain and I'm thinking for the first time in ages...Okay lets start walking and running again....Before I w | F | 52 | 10 days | 8/14/2007 | 1 | Hives/cough/runny nose/red eyes | Intense mood swings, aggressive behavior, loss of appetite, fearfulness, broken sleep, diarhea, and spitting up. | My 15 month old has been on it for 10 days now. He was a very calm, even-tempered child. Quick to laugh- an angel. He has become seemingly possessed. He changed overnight- he is now hitting, biting, yelling/screaming and crying, then laughing again. He is pinching, waking up screaming at night and inconsolable. He is fearful, even of things he loved before. He went from never missing a meal to barely eating. After it took me two hours to get him to bed tonight, with him screaming hysterically the entire time, I looked online to find potential side effects of zyrtec (which I did before I gave it to him in the first place but I didn't find anything then). I am so relieved to have found this site and see other parents experiencing the same problems with the drug. I feel so bad that I gave it to him! I will never give him zyrtec again, and I will be sure to tell everyone I know not to take it or give it to their children. Though the drug did relieve his hives and lessen the runny nose/red | F | 24 | 10 days | 10/6/2006 | 1 | Inner ear infection | Two days after taking my last dose I started itching terribly bad in my hands and feet. I thought maybe I was having an allergic reaction to something but I had no hives or red spots at all. I thought maybe just dry skin but even with lotion the itching would not go away. I thought maybe there was a connection with the drug and have found thousands of reports of intense itching after stopping with this product. I would much rather have dealed with the ear infection than put up with this intense itching which I find will take at least 2 weeks to subside. | F | 37 | 10 days 2X D | 7/1/2011 | 1 | My 10 yr old son, for allergies | My son is on a number of meds to start with, including Prozac and Lithium, however, it is far too coincidental that 10 days into using Zyrtec daily, he went from stable and happy, to a wreck...depressed, anxious, panicky, angry, tantrums, nightmares, stomachaches...and the last two days, hearing voices. I remembered this time last year when Clartitin also had a bad effect in him, so my first thought this morning was to search...and found this forum (thank goodness!) No more Zyrtec for him! I think some kids are just especially vulnerable to chemically triggered mood changes, but a kid with a mood disorder already diagnosed might be even more at risk. I would urge all parents to monitor their kids behavior if starting this med, previous disorder or not. | M | 10 | 10 days 10 mg 1X D | 4/7/2011 | 1 | My 6 yr old son had severe behavioral changes within 24 hrs of taking this drug. He was getting bad behavior reports from school that week. He was depressed, cried over little things, had angry tantrums, was violent,incontinence, sleep disruption and falls from the bed. The only change in his routine was the medicine. I remembered the pharmacist saying it differes from claritin in that it works using the central nervous system (we were not getting any results from claritin). I put the pieces together and took him off the drug and already 24 hrs later he is almost back to normal. This is not for every kid - watch their behavior closely if you try the drug. The label does warn of "mental or mood changes." | M | 6 | 10 days 1X D | 4/6/2010 | 1 | Allergies/sinus infections | My daughter took this medication for allergies - at the advice of our pediatrician. She is an easy, mellow kid. Her behavior changed dramatically - like PMS - moody, prone to quick and sudden anger, anxious. It was extremely worrying. My husband suggested it might be the zyrtec. I thought that was unlikely, because it is so commonly prescribed for children far younger than mine. I finally stopped giving it to her - totally out of desperation. Within 48 hours, she was back to her old self! | F | 8 | 10 days 10 mg/day | 2/19/2012 | 1 | Allergies | Upset Stomach all the time. Tremendous appetite Very Sleepy all day even when taking it at nite. Slept great but could have slept all day. | M | 34 | 10 days | 2/2/2006 | 1 | Seasonal allergies | This medicine makes me extremely tired like a ZOMBIE!! Its horrible! I am not motivated and sometimes down and depressed when taking this!! I am no longer taking this it is HORRIBLE! | F | 32 | 10 days 10mg | 4/13/2013 | 1 | alergies - sneezing | mood swings from very low to very angry | Reading the reviews, I was relieved to see that it wasn't just me. It cured my alergies, but the mood swings aren't worth it. | M | 36 | 10 days | 9/12/2005 | 1 | Seasonal Allergy | Terrible heart buring and palpiltation! Sever sleeplessness; Ichying, nausea, burp | This is a very very dangerous medcine if so many people in the from report the similar side effect experience. I really do knwo how it can be OTC drug. | M | 29 | 10 days | 7/1/2008 | 1 | son's hay fever could lead toasthma | Normally well-balanced 7-year-old son became emotionally unstable, crying and having tantrums every day. Vivid nightmares. This was when I used 5 mg instead of 10 mg as prescribed for my 50-pound child. | Tell everyone you know. Try to get the word out to the media (a la Singulair). I trusted the allergist. The doctors won't mention these effects. See the hundreds of posts from parents below! Be WARNED. What are these allergists thinking to ignore SUCH psychotic effects on children (like Singulair and who knows what else). We'll try Claritin if we have to have something. | M | 7 | 10 days | 6/4/2008 | 1 | Itchy eyes, nose and throat | Extreme sadness and irritability | I am a mother of four who has never felt as sad and emotional as I did during the two weeks of taking Zyrtec. Post-partum is a walk in the park compared to how I felt taking this. I can not believe that this product has not been pulled from shelves. I will NEVER take Zyrtec again and have made sure to share my experience with my family and friends. I am so upset for all of the unsuspecting parents out there who have only followed the advice of their doctors and given Zyrtec to their children. | F | 37 | 10 days | 3/17/2009 | 1 | Allergies | My 7 year old daughter took this for 1 1/2 weeks. I am sorry that I ever put her on it. She is a sweet, loving child who behaves very well. She turned into a demon child. She lost her apetite and would not eat anything at all. She complained about stomach aches and dry throat. She was afraid to eat or drink because she said her throat felt as if it would close up. | This product should be taken off of the market immediately. I spoke to several moms tonight at a PTA meeting and they had the same complaints about their children. My daughter would scream at me and tell me that I dont understand her. She would wake up and just start yelling at me. My daughter wakes up sooo happy every day. She was not herself in anyway. I took her off of it 4 days ago... her apetite is back x 10 and my sweet, loving, caring child is back. It breaks my heart that I put her through that greif. Never again. | F | 7 | 10 days | 3/3/2009 | 1 | Seasonal Allergies | My son's pediatrician prescribed it for him. Almost overnight he became sleepy during the day and a completely different person. He is 15 months and I thought something was seriously wrong with him behaviorly. | I am so happy I stumbled across this site. His last dose was last night. | F | 1.5 | 10 days | 5/23/2009 | 1 | Allergies. Zyrtec suggested by doc | Gained 6 pounds in 1 week despite also being on antibiotics that caused stomach issues. Have been off the antibiotics for almost a week and still haven't lost the 6 pounds. No doubt that the Zyrtec caused this. Very blurry vision in the evenings (about 8-10 hours after taking it). Spacey feeling all the time. Face looks sunburned, but that may be from the antibiotics. | Helps for a few hours, but no where near the 24 hours that it is supposed to. I realize it's effectiveness is essentially a bellcurve with it peaking a few hours after taking it and slowly wearing off. But, if I take it in the morning, by 2pm, it's worn off. If I take it at lunch, it gets me to about 7pm. So, only works for about 8 hours for me. It's either breathe during the day or breathe at night. Allegra and Claritin do nothing for me, either. Was hoping this would work, but so far, it hasn't. I gained weight on Allegra, too. Quit taking it and the weight came off. But, now that fall has arrived, I've got to start back on something else. | F | 38 | 10 days | 9/29/2008 | 1 | Seasonal allergies | DEPRESSION, sleepy | I've been trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with me. I was a very down to earth happy go lucky person until I started taking Zyrtec a week or so ago. I didn't know what was wrong. Thanks to all of you for actually taking the time to post. I won't take it anymore. | F | 44 | 10 days | 10/1/2008 | 1 | 11 year old son taking it for hives | severe irritability, depression, and anger | the symptoms were pronounced when on the drug and went away shortly after stopping the drug. we had been advised to use zyrtec preventatively and on an ongoing basis. given our son's reaction, this would doom him to a life of mental health problems. he is fine since we stopped it. we will use benadryl in the future for short term relief. | M | 11 | 10 days | 8/13/2009 | 2 | allergies | I gave this to my 7 year old daughter instead of Claritin and we couldn't figure out why all of a sudden she would cry at the drop of a hat, act VERY angry and say "she just wishes she were happier" After stopping this a week later we noticed drastic improvement and she was back to herself. | F | 32 | 9 days 1X D | 7/23/2010 | 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 D | 9/11/2010 | 1 | Chronic Allergies | Severe moodiness, mood swings, easily aggitated, groggy, cloudy headed, extremely tired. | I am 5 months pregnant and my allergies worsened so I was put on Zyrtec. Talk about mood swings.. and hormones surges. I cannot believe that my doctor did not warn me about this. After 9 days and two horrible fights with my husband I took myself off of it. I would rather suffer through the allergies than experience these side effects. | F | 35 | 9 days | 2/14/2005 | 1 | Allergies | After only 5 days - Depression, total loss of self-worth, crying spells, loss of motivation. It took me 9 days and this site to realize it was the medicine. Depression is not listed as a possible side effect, but two weeks ago I was fine and now all I want to do is cry for NO REASON! Hopefully this med will be out of my system soon! | F | 45 | 9 days | 4/24/2007 | 1 | allergies | aggressive / temper tantrums /emotional outbursts | This medicine should not be prescribed to children!! | M | 2 | 9 days | 4/17/2008 | 1 | Allergies | Depression, Sleeplessness, Unmotivated, Constipation | Starting taking it and about a week and a half into it, starting feeling seriously depressed for no reason. Waking up for hours in the middle of the night. Family/Friends kept asking if everything was OK. I found myself suddenly crying for no reason. That's when I realized it must be the only medication I was taking - Zyrtec. | M | 40 | 9 days | 3/17/2009 | 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 | 3 | Seasonal Allergies | The drug worked great for me the first few days then I started getting dizzy and it raised my blood pressure. I was taking Zyrtec-D once daily. | The Zyrtec-D helped me clear my sinuses and my ears. | M | 27 | 8 days | 6/26/2006 | 3 | Seasonal Allergies | I started giving my 3 yr. old Zyrtec 8 days ago. It seems to be helping the stuffy nose and itchy eyes. Two days after starting the meds., She started having accidents. She has been fully potty-trained for a whole year- no accidents. Now she has 3-4 a day. She tells me she just can't tell when she has to go anymore. | F | 3 | 8 days | 6/4/2009 | 1 | Severe Hay Fever,possible dust alle | Extreme drowsiness, irritability, slightly depressed/self doubt, thinking something more serious was wrong with her, (ONLY 10 YEARS OLD), UPPER GI (chest) burning/pain, diarreah, just not acting like my daughter when on the meds. | Wow, what a nightmare! CAUTION! Please parents do not give your child this medication! I am going to stick with mucinex for her congestion, and proceed with more natural remedies,ex.(local honey daily,etc.) I'll probably never trust another allergy med with my kids after this! | F | 10 | 8 days | 7/2/2008 |