ZYRTEC Reviews (CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 2.0 (1820 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare ZYRTEC with similar:
Type: Over-the-counter Drug
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Results are sorted by Date added. 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 | FDA Adverse Event Summary
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ZYRTEC | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 5 | Allergies | None | Although I wake up with a very dry mouth, this drug has helped tremendously!! | M | 31 | 5 days | 6/2/2007 | 2 | Severe allergies | Weight gain, drowsiness | At first, I called Zyrtec the Miracle Drug because it was the only thing that relieved my severe allergy symptoms of itchy, watery, mucousy eyes; sneezing; runny nose; sinus pain; stuffy head; headaches; and hives. Allegra, Claritin, Sudafed, Nasacort by themselves all did not work. After reading an article and the comments on this board on Zyrtec and weight gain, I am VERY suspicious that Zyrtec caused me to gain about 2 lbs per month, over 20+ lbs in 3 years. Most of the weight gain is in the stomach and, to a lesser extent, in the face, upper back, and thighs. I am normally skinny-to-average in size. Recently, I noticed that when I went off Zyrtec for 3 weeks, I lost 5-6 lbs. When I went back on Zyrtec, I gained 8 lbs in 5 months. I admit I sometimes eat over my caloric count to lose weight of 1,200 calories a day. But I exercise 2-6 times a week for about 45 minutes each. So the 20-lb weight gain seems too severe. I think my age and slowing metabolism, as well as the pill | F | 37 | 3 years | 6/2/2007 | 1 | mild allergies | hallucinations, trouble urinating, facial twitches, nightmares,insomnia,flushing,visual spotting,headaches,loss of appetite, staring in space,loss of reality,extreme fright,loss of social skills,not making sense when he talks, crying, negative behavior,psychotic | It has been four weeks since his last dose of Zyrtec and he is still not back. I am sick with worry and am afraid that this is permanent damage. He went from being a super star at preschool to jumping on tables and crying and screaming. He had a ct scan and eeg both were normal. Pediatric neurologist said that it was a toxic reaction to zyrtec and it would wear off. How long does it take to wear off? If anyone has any insight to calm down a distraught mother please e-mail me. I have been crying every day and I am so afraid he won't come back. | M | 5 | 3 weeks | 6/1/2007 | 5 | Seasonal and pet allergies | Mild tiredness. | I love Zyrtec! I had to go off it during pregnancies and MAN did I miss it! I just went to renew my scrip and my insurance company has dictated that I have to try Allegra first before I can go back on Zyrtec so I'm completely irritated by that. Anyway - Zyrtec is the only drug I've found that allows me to be symptom free during the height of spring and fall allergy seasons. Plus, when I had a pet, I was able to be around it and not suffer. Yes, tiredness was a factor, but I could handle it since I was able to breathe! | F | 39 | 5 years | 5/31/2007 | 3 | seasonal and cat allergies | none | I have never had any side effects whatsoever to Zyrtec (unlike everyone else posting here). It has worked somewhat for my allergies. I'm starting to think I've become immune to it though. | F | 24 | 6 years | 5/31/2007 | 1 | Allergys/Asthma | Been on zyrtec for a little over a month, twice daily, I am 26 and have never had any problems with my thick gorgeous hair, now I am loosing it in record timing. The drug works great if you dont mind going bald...Ladies I'm talking to you! | F | 26 | 30 days | 5/27/2007 | 1 | Eczema | agressive behavior, can't focus, can't remember anything, can't sit still, can't pay attention and follow teacher's instruction. nose breeding. always tired | Teacher kept complaining about my 8-year-old son behavior, she even force me to put him as a ADD kid, after I found out this website, I did two things: 1. Reduced the medicine little by little (it took me two months to quit the whole medicine). 2. Transfer my son to another teacher's class. Now four months pass, I just got his report card, he got straight 'A' and citizenship marked as "Excellent".He is still in ADD status but he did not take any ADD medicine, I knew his behavior problem was caused by Zyrtec and Singular (he took two medicines everyday). My suggestion is: Quit those drugs as soon as possible, my son is under the treament of Chinese herb and there is no side effect. you may make a research and find another better way to treat your kid. Good Luck!! | M | 9 | 2 years | 5/26/2007 | 1 | Intersitial Cystitis | Really sore throat, anxiety, insomnia (never really felt like I was asleep, just in an awake dream like state), depression | I can't believe how horrible I feel after only 3 days and on such a low dose. I am taking it along with Elmiron, and I thought it was the Elmiron that was making me feel like this, but after reading other reviews on this site, I realize it's the Reactine. This stuff is toxic! I am going to stop taking it for sure! | F | 32 | 3 days | 5/25/2007 | 1 | Allergies | My almost 3 yr old daughter has been taking Zyrtec for about 3.5 months. We were told to take it (by a Ear,Nose,Throat Specialist no less) to "dry her head up" after a severe earache that would not go away. It worked, no more severe drainage for DAYS. HOWEVER: Over these last few months my happy child has been aggressive, short tempered, occasional catatonic like stares, prone to tantrums and will fall apart at the drop of a hat, as if possessed / bi-polar ! She also would say occasionally that her tummy hurt, her "pookie" (vaginal area) itched/hurt and she was drinking tons of water, had a few headaches and sore throats along with runny stools constantly. We NEVER connected the two (med and behavior) due to her being 2.5 , a new baby brother and being in play school. We blamed everything else. My husband found this site and as of this morning she is OFF Zyrtec and I hope by daughter will be back soon. Thank you !!!! | The doctors need to tell parents the REAL side effects and let the parents choose if the cure is worth the poison. If we had been informed of the TRUE side effects, not what the label says, we NEVER would have put her on the drug ! | F | 3 | 3 months | 5/25/2007 | 4 | Rash/ Allergies | Tired, emotional withdrawal. I have also experienced diarrhoea, IBS and alot of stomach problems. | I have been taking Zyrtec since I was 12. Without it I can not function as I suffer from rashes and itchiness, so I thank it for that. But I've been noticing the side-effects for the past 4 years now and it is getting worst. | F | 24 | 12 years | 5/24/2007 | 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 | 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 | 3 | allergy symptoms | Muscle twitching especially in the feet and jumping during sleep. Anxiety to the extent of breaking out in a sweat. Depression, strange thoughts, moodiness. Sleepiness during the day. | I took Zyrtec years ago to help me get over a bout with asthma under a doctor's care. It really works great for my allergy symptoms. I posted here because I read someone else's similar symptoms. My girlfriend complains that I'm jumping and twitching during my sleep and it is keeping her awake. The only time I take Zyrtec is when I visit her house on the weekends. She has cats and it helps with my allergies. I usually take 1/2 a pill just before bed. Strange that it took me so long to make the connection between Zyrtec and the sleep disturbances. I will stop using it now and see what happens. | M | 44 | 3 months | 5/19/2007 | 1 | allergies | Completely painfully tired. Sudden extreme and heavy depression. Felt like I could not wake up. Completely unmotivated. Very surprised that an antihistamine could do this much damage to a person in three days. | Did not affect my allergies. I wasn't sleepy as much as I felt I felt extremely tired and was dragging. Took two days to feel somewhat normal again after stopping the medication. I would rather feel relief and a little sleepy while taking benedryl than feel like that again. Felt anxious and was losing my will to live. | F | 38 | 3 days | 5/18/2007 | 3 | Severe Seasonal allergies | Dry itchy mouth during first couple of weeks. Nightmares started after 3 weeks Depression and apathy started around the same time. | I looked up this site after a conversation with my wife where she asked me why i was depressed, we have a beautiful 3 month old a great house and good job ... odd that the last couple of nights I've also had nightmares. This is my 3rd season on zyrtec and its the only thing that stops my debilitating allergies bu i think the side effects might just be too much .... | M | 30 | 4 weeks | 5/17/2007 | 1 | hives, itching | Severe heart palpitations | I have been taking zyrtec for one year; also have been suffering heart palpitations and blaming other meds. After researching zyrtec I realize that's likely what it is and have stopped - just 2 days ago. I don't yet know what other symptoms I'm experiencing (anxiety, muscle twitching) have been related to zyrtec, but look forward to findout out when this drug is out of my system. | F | 57 | 1 years | 5/17/2007 | 1 | Allergies | Emotional, irratability, temper tantrums, agressive behavior, edgey, | My 5 year old son has been on zyrtec of and on for 2 years. He recently had his dose increased to 10cc from 5cc. He has been irrated, emotional, and agressive since we increased his dose two months ago. I have gotten calls from preschool, family members, and friends about his change in attitude. I was really concerned something happened to him. Something did happen...zyrtec. I am taking him off immediately. I have spent too many sleepless nights, and punished him too much for something that a doctor should have told us. | M | 5 | 2 months | 5/16/2007 | 2 | Allergies | I had allergies that were so horrible and thinking evey medicine off the counter would make it better, it didn't. I then heard of Zyrtec and my allergies were getting better, but the side effects were tremendous. I felt so tired and lazy, as if nothing in my life was important. I had so many mood swings and i was extremely sensitive to every little thing. I became aggressive and more angry than I have ever become. I thought it was just me, but I realized I am not the only one with these issues. Thanks to the comments, I finally realized that I needed to stop this drug before it takes over me. | I believe any other medicine will work, but just not this medicine. | F | 17 | 1 years | 5/13/2007 | 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 | 1 | Yes | Nightmares every night, I couldn't wake up and/or get out of my dream, weight gain, 15lbs, feeling swollen and bloated. I never have had had any weight on my stomach and my belly became fat with rolls over 2 months; tired constantly, and again, could not get up from my sleep. | Zyrtec did treat my allergies. I was able to hold my dog and sleep with him for the first time in 10 years. However, I would rather find another drug b/c Zyrtec was causing me to become mentally disturbed from my dreams, crying and not wanting to go to sleep b/c I was scared to. Now I am off Zyrtec, its been a week. Allergies are back, nightmares and belly, body swolleness is gone. For now I'll settle with Claritin, Sudafed, Nasonex, Astelin, and an herbal animal antigen. | F | 32 | 2 months | 5/10/2007 |