ZYRTEC Reviews (CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 2.0 (1816 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare ZYRTEC with similar:
Type: Over-the-counter Drug
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Results are sorted by 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 | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ZYRTEC | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 2 | Severe Allergies | Extreme tiredness. Inability to wake up in the morning regardless of amount of sleep the night before. Horrible withdrawal like symptoms whenever I attempt to stop taking the pills. Weight gain due to never feeling full. | I have been taking Zyrtec off and on for 5 years(only in the winter), but I've gotten the end of the road. I have fought the constant tiredness, inability to wake up, and irritability, but can't anymore. I have been on every allergy drug out there, Claritin, alevert, allegra, Hismanal, tavist, flomax, cingular, rhinocort, etc... and Rhinocort and Zyrtec are the only ones that really work for me. During the winter, Rhinocort Aqua dries out my nasal passages too much giving me horrible nose bleeds, forcing me to use the Zyrtec. But I can't take the side affects anymore. Inability to wake up regardless of how much sleep I've gotten is the worst. I am a morning person three quarters of the year, until I take Zyrtec... Then I can't get out of bed. I am right now dealing with the nausea and headaches from the withdrawal I deal with every year when I discontinue use. To be honest the 4 to 5 day withdrawal going cold turkey is so bad that I generally wean myself off the drug. One every other d | M | 26 | 5 years | 2/6/2007 | 1 | sinusitis | I had the worst cast of hives after stopping the medicine after only taking it 4 days. Horrible welps on my arms, legs and torso. Dr. didn't think it was caused from Zyrtec but after reading other patients comments on this website, I was conviced. | Don't take - it is poison for your system - warn everyone you know. | F | 52 | 4 days | 2/6/2007 | 4 | mold, cat allergy | 6 yr old son - irritability, screaming at me, severe mood issues. When asked what was wrong, he would scream at me "I don't know". | My son also has asthma and has been taking zyrtec along with singulair and pulmicort. Works great for allergies. (I have another son on it as well) Originally taking every day then decreased to as needed w/cat & mold exposure. However, at the end began experiencing behavior/mood issues. When took him off of Zyrtec noticed a significant difference in his behavior. Switched allergy/pulmonolgist drs and he said not to give it to him. His behavior over all has improved drastically. My 3 year old doesn't seem to have "issues" because of zyrtec. | M | 6 | 3 years | 2/5/2007 | 5 | Hives | I didn't realize until today my confusion MUST be associated with taking zyrtec. I'm 40 and thought it a natural process with my family history. | I love this drug. It's done wonders for me. I got hives and was prescribed it and it took them away. I'm weaning myself to taking it once a day, at supper, every 3 days. I did notice I get especially tired at night, but that's ok, it's bedtime! I've been on it for 3 months now, and can't complain about my side effects. | F | 40 | 3 months | 1/30/2007 | 1 | Eczema | My son just turned 9, he started taking Zyrtec when he was 7, his teacher kept complaining about his behavior, he can't remember anything, he looked so lost in the school. He can't sit still, he can't focus on the classwork. His teacher suggested me to talk to the doctor because his behavior just like ADD, I made a research and found this website,I was so shock that Zyrtec will affect the child's behavior so much. I decided to reduce the medicine week by week, now my kid was very good in the school, he remember everything, He completed every sigle classwork/homework. I really think all of the doctors should give the parents warming before the children starts taking ZYRTEC. I feel so sorry for my son. | So many parents has no idea what will happen when their child start s taking this medicine, Please consider not to let the kid take this medicine........... | M | 9 | 2 years | 1/27/2007 | 5 | allergies | Our son was on this drug for a little over two years. His dosage continued to increase over the time period due to increase weight - he would eat all the time. That was the least of our problems. Our son was aggressive, moody, tired, I could go on forever!!! Jake was in preschool and having a difficult time focusing, getting along with others, and the teacher started to get concerned as well. I am a teacher and was going to ask the peds. for a full scale evalution, due to his behavior. To make a long story short, we had to find a new allergy dr, and he had us stop giving Jake the meds for his upcoming allergy tests. Within a few days we got our son back. He doesn't have the outbursts and other behaviors, Jake is that happy child he once was. We are grateful to have our son back, however, we feel cheated out of 2 years of his childhood. We were so grateful we found this site last year. | Would not recommend this medicine to anyone | 2 years | 1/25/2007 | 4 | adult onset allergies to everything | I take it at night before bed & it's really hard to get up in the morning. It really dries me out, lips, sinuses, mouth, etc. BUT if I forget to take it, all hell breaks loose & I feel like I'm going to die of a migraine or aneurysm. Mondo-Headache-Zilla! | I'm concerned that after 4 months I think I'm totally addicted to this drug because I go thru serious withdrawal if I miss a dose just for one day & I don't know if I really want to take this for the rest of my life. It does make me feel better, I get the best sleep of my life because it knocks me out, but it's so hard to get going in the morning. I find I need at least nine hours of sleep when I take it. Is it normal to have such a bad withdrawal syndrome from an antihistamine? And, will the morning lethargy get any better after a few more months of use? | F | 39 | 4 months | 1/24/2007 | 3 | chronic hives/ dermatographism | Uncontollable/binge eating, constant hunger, difficulty waking in the morning, inability to concentrate, social withdrawal, excessive daytime sleepiness and marked increase in allergic symptoms. When I have to stop taking the drug, I quickly develop a head to toe stinging, burning rash just as others describe and insomnia which I have never had. I hope this will pass. Anyone successfully get off this med? Do the withdrawal symptoms subside? | I am highly allergic to numerous foods and environmental triggers and this is the one drug that would control my chronic hives. However, my hives seem to have worsened considerably since beginning the drug - especially when I miss a dose or have to stay off for a few days. That burning, stinging head to toe rash everyone is talking about is nearly unbearable. I asked Dr. and he said this drug can make you "hypersensitive." I had to discontinue the drug briefly for further allergy testing and may not take this ever again. Very concerned about the side effects and the moral implications of an allergy drug that aggravates the symptoms so that you MUST continue taking the drug. | F | 34 | 6 years | 1/24/2007 | 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 | allergies | My seven year old daughter became very emotional and irrational when her dose was increased to 10mg. She began taking 5mg when she was three and it worked well for several years, but it had started to be less effective (more drainage that interfered with sleep). My sweet girl became a moody, argumentative, mean girl. It was scary. | I stopped the zyrtec immediately after reading about similar side effects on this web site - thank you for making the connection for me. I had thought that maybe the higher dosage was interfering with her sleep and making her super grouchy. After stopping zyrtec, she was back to her normal self within about 10 days. She will never take it again. | F | 7 | 4 years | 1/23/2007 | 1 | Hives | Mood Swings, Aggresive, Socially cut off, Lack of concentration, severe drowsiness. | This is an addictive drug. I have been taking it for past 6 years (5mg everyday). Finally gathered a courage to stop taking it and its my 3rd day and i am feeling SO HORRIBLE. The hives appeared and they are worst than what i started taking this medicine for. I have not tried anything else other than this med. I am going to doctor tomorrow to find alternative medicine. | M | 31 | 6 years | 1/22/2007 | 3 | allergies | For first few years, it was wonderful. Recently I experience increased congestion; headaches, thickening of the post-nasal drip, and fatigue. Dr. suggested I stop the Zyrtec several days ago. The withdrawal has been difficult and was completely unexpected. I'm experiencing significant itching in all parts of my body. Had difficulty sleeping the last 2 nights. | I've been searching but can't find much information on typical withdrawal symptoms, much less methods to cope. | F | 37 | 5 years | 1/17/2007 | 1 | allergies, sinusitis | I have been on Zyrtec for 2 months. The past 3 weeks I have been put on medical leave from work due to fatigue, inability to concentrate, dizziness, and nausea. I have spend hundreds of dollars on tests and Dr. visits b/c my doctor thought I had a serious problem. So far all tests are normal which made me feel like I was "going crazy". Then I found this site, and am quitting Zyrtec immediately. There is no doubt in my mind that it is the reason I have missed the past month of my life. | DO NOT TAKE...I work in the healthcare field and actually thought I had suddenly developed depression and anxiety over night. Has anyone else felt very nervous on this medication??? I would love to hear other responses. | F | 24 | 2 months | 1/14/2007 | 5 | Hives | DEFINITELY A 1! DO NOT TAKE THIS MED~ After taking zyrtec for about 3 years now i have finally been able to put everything together. I am constantly sleepy and i dont enjoy participating in a lot of things b/c of this. I was just put on depression medicine about 4 months ago. Bloody nose, irritable, always taking naps in the middle of the afternoon, some weight gain, ALWAYS HUNGRY-NEVER SATISFIED. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG IT DOES NOT LET YOU QUIT. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT NOW FOR 4 DAYS AND I FEEL LIKE HELL. THE ITCHING IS DRIVING ME TO TEARS. I DONT KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE NOT USING IT B/C GETTING OFF OF IT IS SO HARD. | IT DID MAKE MY HIVES GO AWAY. BUT YOU PAY A HUGE PRICE. | F | 20 | 3 years | 1/11/2007 | 2 | ALLERGIES | Drowsiness, lack of concentration, irritability, severe dizziness to the point of almost passing out and weight gain. My face was swelling due to seasonal allergies and the doctor put me on Zyrtec and instructed that I take it at night. I do but am still somewhat drowsy and disoriented during the day. | It did help with the seasonal allergies, which was a first for me. I thought initially that I had a sinus infection but not so. I might take these occasionally but don't want to stay on them continuously. | F | 53 | 2 weeks | 1/10/2007 | 3 | Cronic year round allergies | I have been on this drug for years to help treat my cronic allergies for mold and just about everything else. Over the last 2 years I have been having issues with heart palpitations, new sinus sensitivity and daily stomach distress. I have alway been in good health otherwise and take allergy shots for 1+ year as well. I tried the reflux otc drugs for my stomach with minimal improvement. I have been to the doctor about these problems with no answers yet. I now wonder if this may be a growing side effect from my years of zyrtec use. I take 10mg before bed. It works like a sleeping pill for me and I am use to the lower energy level. After reading many of the posts here. I believe it's time to get off this drug for several weeks and see what happens. I will post again with any results of my test. | This drug really does help stop post nasal drip problems better than any of the drugs that I have tried over the years. But it can dry you out to much and cause an accute sinus sensitivity and if compounded with a flonese spray can become what appears as a very painful sinus infection without any real virus involved. Doctors give you antibotics which have no effect. I learned that nitetime room humidity at(50%+) and nasal washes finally stopped this problem. | M | 54 | 10 years | 1/9/2007 | 3 | Hives and allergies | Weight Gain, vivid dreams with fitful sleep, dizziness, lack of conentration, lethergy | I have gained 12 pounds in the six months I have taken zyrtec. I eat well and exercise regulary and couldn't figure out why I keep gaining weight. After reading other comments here I am pretty sure that my weight gain is a result of the zyrtec. I also have vivid dreams all night long that keep me waking up on and off throughout the night and ultimately leave me exhausted in the morning. I lack focus and concertration at work. Like others, I have tried to stop taking Zyrtec and break out in hives ( the reason I began taking it to begin with) and feel itchy all over, especially at night. I'm at a point where the weight gain lack of sleep, and concentration problems have me seriously considering stopping the medication. The side effects I am experiencing are just as bad, if not worse than my hive out breaks and allergies! | F | 34 | 6 months | 1/9/2007 | 1 | ALLERGY | Within three days of starting this medication, my child developed PINK EYE (a lesser known side effect of this medication). Within four days of starting this medication, my child developed a STUTTERING problem! We pulled him off this medication!!!! | Watch your child closely if they are prescribed this medication!!!! | M | 2.5 | 6 days | 1/8/2007 | 5 | Sinus Drainage Due To Sleep Apnea | Same as below! 5 Just to get your attention. Vivid Dreams, very tired during the day although taking Zyrtec at night, can hardly get moving in the morning (and I'm a morning person, I love a new morning!)I'm 47, male, 160 pounds and was disgnosed with sleep apnea during last summer. Went through labs and was placed on a CPAP breathing machine. Felt much, MUCH, better after getting use to the face mask. Had more energy, slept better and felt I was breathing fine. Dr. prescribed Zyrtec for sinus drainage that comes along with using a CPAP machine with moisture. Was getting use to that and just snorting and coughing in the mornings to clear my head. Have also been using Nasacort_CQ nasal spray once each morning (longer than using Zyrtec). After starting Zrytec (on it for over two months now) eventually began vivid dreaming, can hardly get moving in the morning, feels like sleep apnea all over again during the day due to being tired and just wanting to sleep. Also have been taking Lexapr | See to the left | M | 47 | 2 months | 1/5/2007 | 5 | hives and severe itching | LISTEN AND LISTEN GOOD......I PUT DOWN 5 JUST TO GET TO THE TOP SO YOU ALL CAN READ. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM IN MY OPINION WITH SIDE EFFECTS WITH ZRYTEC. NOT ONLY DID SHARING ON THIS WEB SITE SUPPORT ME AND HELP ME, IT FINALLY BROUGHT ME MY QUALITY OF LIFE BACK.....PLEASE TRUST ME....I SUFFERED SEVERE HIVES AND ITCHING 15 MONTHS AGO AND WAS PUT ON ZYRTEC....YES IT HELPED ....BUT AT A HUGE PRICE......HEADACHES,PANIC ATTACKS,BREATHING PROBLEMS,CONFUSION,FOGGINESS,IRRITABILITY, ANGER,LOSS OF LIBIDO,UNAPPROACHABLE,DEPPRESSION,LARTHARGIC,SAD, AND......AND.....WHEN YOU TRY TO GET OFF THIS DRUG?....YOU GET SO ITCHY THAT YOU WANT TO CRY,TOTALLY UNBEARABLE, HIVES APPEAR WORSE THAN THE ONES YOU WERE TREATED FOR SO WHAT TO YOU DO?.....TAKE MORE ZRYTEC BECAUSE IT WILL RELIEVE YOU...BUT THIS IS A CYCLE THAT GOES ON WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM......AND......WILL CAUSE NEW PROBLEMS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR DAY TO DAY LIVING....PLEASE BELIEVE ME...DOCTORS, PHARMACISTS AND OF COURSE PFIZER WILL NO | STOP TAKING THIS DRUG NOW!!!!! | M | 48 | 15 months | 1/5/2007 |