Reviews for ZYRTEC350 ratings: (age 12 or younger)Edit Filter | Clear FilterCompare ZYRTEC with similar:
Type: Over-the-counter Drug
|
Results are sorted by Date added. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on ZYRTEC: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ZYRTEC | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 1 | allergies | Mood disturbance, severe withdrawal symptoms | My 9-year old son started taking Zyrtec in the fall for seasonal allergies. He also has food allergies and has taken Zyrtec on occasion, but never for an extended period before. After two months, we tried to stop, but he developed the itching many other posters have complained about. Our pediatrician told me not to read blogs and to keep him on 10mg/day and to see the allergist. The allergist's nurse said we could not come in unless he'd been off the Zyrtec for 5 days, but he could not stop the Zyrtec without the itching - a vicious cycle. Finally, after reading more online, I insisted on talking to the allergist, who got on the phone and confirmed that the itching is a withdrawal symptom. Basically, he said, your body gets used to the histamines being suppressed; when they flood back, some peoples' bodies overreact. He said prednizone would help and that the itching would go over in 2-5 days, but I didn't want to give my son steroids, and the itching persisted and was unbearable. I switched him to Benadryl (shorter-acting) and followed a step-down approach. A week at 3/4 of a 25 mg pill at bedtime; then a week at 1/2 a pill; then a week at 1/4; then a week at 1/8 (After cutting the 25 mg pink pills in half, I bought the children's 12.5 mg fast melt tablets and cut those in half, then in quarters). My son has now been off all antihistamines for 4 days and is still slightly itchy from time to time, but I think we're over the worst. His mood has also improved markedly. | M | 9 | 5 months 10 mg 1X day | 2/21/2011 | 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 day | 1/4/2011 | 1 | allergies | I was in tears today with my 4 yr old daughter; she was soo negative and moody, throwing tantrums and being defiant. She usually is the sweetest child, caring and helpful. She was soo rude, saying no and actually pushed her little sister today in frustration/anger. Thank u sooo much for this site, i am no longer giving her this medicine. thank god i didnt keep her on it longer!!!! | F | 4 | 5 days 1.5 ml 1X day | 1/2/2011 | 1 | asthma, wheezing, hives | My 2 y/o son is taking Zyrtec at advice of allergist. We tried Singular, but he had anger side effects with that medication. Since starting Zyrtec, my son has gone from sweet boy to anger-man. He hits himself, he throws things, he constantly says, "I can't, I can't!" He woke up last night screaming in fright (hasn't done that in over a year). He's just so negative. After reading comments here, I'm taking him off. | As an aside, I had chronic idiopathic urticaria when I was younger (still comes back every now and then). To keep it under control, I took a combo of Tagamet (yes, the stomach acid medicine) and Claritin. My doctor said there is a secondary ingredient in Tagamet that works like Benadryl, but without the sleepy side effects. It might be worth discussing with your doctor if you are trying to find a non-itch solution. | M | 2 | 3 weeks 5 mg 1X day | 10/19/2010 | 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 day | 10/15/2010 | 4 | chronic idiopathic urticaria | My 6yr old daughter had to start taking zyrtec eveyday to control her chronic urticaria, as time went one her behaviors just have gotten worse. To the point we were thinking about taking her to a pshyc dr. Don't know what else to do I have taken her off for a few days now and the attitude is already getting better. But I had to give her benadryl to keep her from swelling. Which they told me not to give her that cause of the alcohol in it. Does anyone out there that has Chronic Urticaria know anything that helps, without the deppression/anger issues. Please help, thanks! | F | 6 | 8 months 5mg 1X day | 10/6/2010 | 1 | ragweed allergies | Pediatrician recommended to give our 3 year old son for his allergies. Finally, he slept through the night without coughing fits and congestion. However, this medication took my sweet-natured boy and turned him in to something unrecognizeable. Very naughty behavior, total defiance, hitting, throwing, lack of appetite, infrequent urination... Within 3 days of his first dose I realized what the cause of his behavioral changes were and immediately removed him from this medicine (and tossed the remainder in the trash). Very shortly thereafter he was once again my loving son. I sure hope that the makers of this drug read these observations and determine a fix. It's a real shame when something that is supposed to help you can change you in to something completely unrecognizeable. ps: called the pedicatrician's office and they were aware of the possible reactions and noted in his file that my son can not have this medication. | F | 3 | 3 days 1 tsp 1X day | 10/5/2010 | 1 | Allergies & Allergy Induced Asthma | My 6 year old was switched from Singular to Zyrtec when he was having too many problems with his Allergy Induced Asthma. Soon after we noticed a handful of changes in him. First we noticed that he was starving all the time, then he started to be moody all the time as well, throwing fits, being mean, rude, yelling, etc. We are taking him off of it as of today to see if my happy, polite, well behaved 6 year old comes back. That was the only thing that changed 3 weeks ago and I cant imagine there being any other cause. | M | 6 | 3 weeks 5 mg 1X day | 10/5/2010 | 1 | allergies | WE gave Zyrtec to our 3 1/2 year-old daughter at her pediatrician's recommendation as she was continuing to have allergy symptoms on Claritin and frequent ear infections. She had an immediate personality change. Moody, defiant, temper tantrums, uncontrollable rages, sleep disturbances, wanted to be held and rocked constantly, wouldn't/couldn't play. Over a few weeks the symptoms improved somewhat, until we missed one morning dose and we were right back to square one with the significant behavior issues. She also has lost two pounds this month due to lack of appetite. We were trying to keep her on it until the fall allergies abated, but this cannot go on any longer. We have put her back on Claritin and will give her benadryl at night if needed to control the symptoms. After two days we are starting to see our sweet angel again. The change in personality in this child was beyond belief, down-right scary. | F | 3.5 | 1 months 2.5 mg 2X day | 9/14/2010 | 1 | Seasonal allergies | My two year old son, who has always been sweet, loving and agreeable started taking Zyrtec for seasonal allergies and his entire mood, demeanor and attitude completely changed. He started acting like a different child. He became angry, violent, didn't want to eat, irritable, weepy and clingy. He would wake up screaming NO at night, when he never had sleeping issues before. He would smash his head on things, hit himself, pull out his hair and crush food and throw it everywhere when he was frustrated, sad or scared. The only thing we can attribute these changes to is the Zyrtec. All these symptoms started when he started the medicine. I have stopped giving it to him after reading this website because I now know I am not crazy! Thank you for posting this information so parents like me are more informed about what their child is really getting. I am disgusted that these possible side effects are not disclosed in the packaging!!!!!!!!! | It is HORRIBLE and I will NEVER give it to my child again!!!!!!!!! | M | 2 | 2 months 10 MG 1X day | 8/30/2010 | 5 | Seasonal Allergies | None noticed. Doc suggested daughter take this at night as some experience drowsiness. She does take it then, but have not seen a 'drowsiness' side effect. | This drug has been a gift to my daughter. Summer of 2009 (pre-allergy-diagnosis) was a nightmare. Daughter coughed all summer long...many trips to doc. End of summer finally diagnosed with allergies. Put on Zyrtec and a nose spray and we finally had our 'normal' daughter back...including sleeping better as she wasn't coughing all of the time. Takes it only during allergy season...stops at first freeze and starts again about mid-March. Summer of 2010 has been GREAT for her! | F | 12 | 1.5 years 10 MG 1X day | 8/20/2010 | 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 day | 8/9/2010 | 3 | Allergies | flush red cheeks, hives all over trunk of body | Frustrated that I cannot find side effects on their website or on the bottle!!!! | M | 2 | 2 days 1/2 tsp 1X day | 7/25/2010 | 5 | ADHD | During the time of my journey through life, I had noticed that every time I played video games I would only go for body shots, but after taking Zyrtec, all I would want to get were HEAD SHOTS. I felt extremely angered by normal everyday noobs. After I started taking Zyrtec I wanted to PWN them like they have never been Pwned before, and I still have ADHD!!? whats up wit dat? Head Explosions Public Urination Every time I get a gun in my hand, it automatically points to someone's head. Uncontrollable peanut butter texture of my stool Speaking Ebonics Black Rage The plague | Zyrtec gave me AIDS. | M | 12 | 20 days 10mg 2X day | 6/30/2010 | 1 | congestion | My daughter,2, started taking the target brand and every day, all day was a fight and tantrum. She started banging her head HARD. She also stopped eating which I thought the tantrums were coming from.I had forgot to give her her med. and I noticed the tantrums stopped, her behavior returned to normal, and she stopped banging her head. Its like night and day.I wouldn't recommend this for any child. Especially if you as a parent don't want to jump off a cliff! | NEED TO POST SIDE EFFECTS!!! | F | 2 | 2 months 2.5 ml 1X day | 6/28/2010 | 1 | seasonal allergies | depression, lack of concentration in school, panic attacks, fear and anxiety, anger. | My 9 yr old son was prescribed Zyrtec by his pediatrician. We noticed an immediate change in his attitude, behavior and grades. He was a very happy, motivated, straight A student. His personality completely changed. We thought his mood and behavior problems were just caused by his age and a new friend. We had no clue about the side effects of this drug until he stopped taking it just to see if his allergies were gone. After stoping the drug. It took about 10 days for the panic attacks to start(multiple times a day). He would just cry and shake and say his head felt funny. After taking him to his doctor, getting lab work done, EEG, EKG, referal to a pediatric psychologist I was told about the effects of this drug in children. I can't believe doctors are not talking to their patients about these severe side effects!!! Take your child off of this drug immediatly!!!!!!! | M | 9 | 5 months 10 MG 1X day | 6/23/2010 | 2 | Seasonal Allergies | My 4 yr old experienced severe depression (as I call it considering she is 4). She withdrew from her favorite activities, like singing and dancing, stopped eating her favorite foods, would constantly say she felt like crying or she was sad. Did not want to go to school, would wake up ALL night long with nightmares, said her sheets were bumpy, it was crazy and my family was going crazy. She was extremely clingy and weepy, she also would have outbursts of crying or whining for no apparent reason. Took her off the zyrtec and within two weeks, I had my joyful, loving, playful, full of life daughter back. | Never taking zyrtec again, especially for extended periods of time for children....NEVER! | F | 4.5 | 2 months 5 - 7.5mg 1X day | 6/15/2010 Patient History | 1 | allergies | After only taking this medicine once, I expericed stomach pains,sore throat, runny nose, pressure build-up in my nose,and inability to sleep through out the night. | F | 12 | 1 days 10mg 1X day | 5/19/2010 | 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 day | 5/11/2010 | 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 day | 5/2/2010 |