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 |
| 4 | Sinus Drainage Due To Sleep Apnea | 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 Lexapro for over a year with no problems from it. Zyrtec did work great for the drying of the sinus' but to put up with all the other "new" affects is not worth it. Quit Zyrtec yesterday, had a sinus h | M | 47 | 2 months | 1/5/2007 | 4 | severe allergies | some depression, crying, agitation, bad dreams | It's been the most effective allergy medicine I've used. As soon as I started taking it I went from severe allergies to none at all. | F | 33 | 4 days | 1/5/2007 | 4 | chronic hives and itching | i have a hard time focusing and i am light sensitive when i take zyrtec. i now take only half(5mg)every two or three days after taking one a day. after 3 days my hives come back with a vengance. i definitely do not feel like myself on it, fatigued, but i can not live in my skin without it. would love to find a way to wean off but can not at this time....any answers? | definitely works but side effects for me have made me a a different person who has lost his edge.... | M | 48 | 15 months | 1/2/2007 | 5 | Pollens, Cats, Dogs, Molds, etc... | After reading through some of the responses I wonder if my side effects are greater than I had originally thought. I take a 10mg in the morning, usually with my coffee. I can be quite irratable during the day, but not always. At night if I sit down after work it's all I can do to stay awake. I have had significant weight gain. I think I might also be suffering from seriously dry sinuses. When I blow my nose it can be kind of bloody. | Despite these side effects I have nothing but praise for this drug. It is my miracle cure. My allergies and asthma are pretty severe throughout most of the year. Now taking Zyrtec and Advair. With the combination of these two I am virtually symptom free. I still sneeze occasionally but nothing like I used to. I also haven't missed any more work because of an allergy/asthma attack. Now as long as this drug doesn't lose it's potency I'll be happy! | M | 33 | 1 years | 12/30/2006 | 1 | Allergies | Possible side effects include drowiness, loss of sleep, dry mouth but the really nasty one is the highly addictive nature of this drug... | Please dont take this drug, its not even a remedy i feel at the cost of its addiction to u. I have always tried stopping to take this drug but it never happened it gives u itching all over ur body, rashes when u itch...and bloody hell they never go...i ruined a lil bit of my teenage life dont want anyone else ruin theirs...I WISH I CUD SUE THEM BUT MORE THAN THAT I WISH I GET RID OF THIS MEDICINE...:( | M | 19 | 1.5 years | 12/26/2006 | 1 | Hives (colinurgic urticaria) | DEPRESSION, inability to think straight, lethargy, cognitive problems (unable to easily learn things), social withdrawl, general feeling of helplessness, | about 6 months ago i started getting inexplicably itchy and uncomfortable hives on random parts of my body. i went to see my doctor, and she told me it was a condition called "colinurgic urticaria", in other words, scattered hives caused by contact and body temperature, among other things. she put me on claritin, but it wasnt working, so i was written a prescription for zyrtec. after taking some samples i wsa overjoyed at how well it worked! just like that...no more hives! but after about 2 weeks i began to feel very depressed and anxious about absolutely NOTHING. i am a first year college student, so i assumed i was just reacting to the stresses of school and the so called "real world". but i have recently realized that this was not the case. the medicine was the cause for my anxiety and depression. i have been off zyrtec for about 3 days, and already i am feeling much more lively, energetic, motivated, enthusiastic, and generally HAPPY. THIS DRUG IS TERRIBLE. i ha | M | 19 | 6 months | 12/25/2006 | 1 | Allergies | My daughter was given this for her allergies and congestion. Her behavior was "off the charts" crazy. I became so afraid of the way she was acting last night that I almost called the after hours emergency line. She was very jittery and thirsty but mostly just very strange, agressive, angry behavior. She was throwing stuff, yelling, screaming, mumbling strange things to herself. It was like she suddenly became another child. It was very scary. I couldn't get her to go to sleep despite the fact that she had skipped her nap and she was exhausted. She is still in bed this morning after finally falling asleep around midnight. Hoping she will be back to herself when she gets up... we will certainly not be using this again for her allergies. That was horrifying. | I personally take Zyrtec for my allergies and it works great for me. Little or no side effects and really drys up my congestion. I cannot believe the difference in side effects for children taking this medication. I have two other friends who also give this to their children regulary (and have done so for years) and do not experience these same effects. So I personally think that it can vary quite a bit from child to child. I personally will not give it to my daughter again. | F | 3 | 1 days | 12/21/2006 | 1 | Allergies | At first, extreme increase in hunger; could only think about food! Later, abject depression, total loss of self-worth, crying spells, loss of motivation. When I stopped taking it, I developed a hypersensitivity to any antihistamine that caused extreme anxiety. | This drug literally ruined, and is still ruining, months of my life. I am now on Clonazepam and Abilify and still severely depressed; I can't seem to enjoy any of the things I used to and all I want to do is lie in bed. My sense of self-worth is still gone and everything seems hopeless. I used to be a very cheerful, positive, roll-with-the-punches sort of person, and now she has been replaced by a humorless wreck. I'm amazed that an antihistamine could do this, and that given the number of similar stories here, that the drug company denies that it could cause these problems. Obviously, it does, and more warning should be given to patients about the potential disaster this drug can make of your life. I so wish I could go back in time and never put this horrible substance into my system. | F | 29 | 2 months | 12/20/2006 | 4 | ALLERGIC TO POLLEN, MOLD,CATS | EXTREME WEIGHT GAIN.I STARTED TAKING ZYRTEC DAILY AFTER CLARITN STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE GAINED 40 POUNDS IN THAT TIME. I AM STARVING ALL THE TIME AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH I EAT I'M NOT SATISFIED. I KEEP COMPLAINING TO MY DR. BUT HE SAYS ZYRTEC SHOULDN'T DO THIS. I'M GOING TO STOP TAKING IT RIGHT AWAY.MY WEIGHT GAIN STARTED WHEN I STARTED TAKING ZYRTEC.I WAS SKINNY ALL MY LIFE.AT 44,I'D RATHER SUFFER WITH ALLERGIES AND BE HOT THEN ALLERGY FREE AND FAT! | M | 44 | 3 years | 12/19/2006 | 2 | Allergies | Aggressive behavior, disorganized thinking, increased anxiety. When my son stopped taking it he developed hive like spots all over his back, which lasted for about 10 days. | Our son is diagnosed with a mood disorder, so at first we did not recognize that he was having a negative reaction to zyrtec. In retrospect we now realize that completely destabilized while taking this drug. Fortunately, the damage was not permanent though it took him about about two weeks without zyrtec to return to his prior state. The manufacturer appears to be aware that this type of reaction can occur. If you look at page 11 of the 14 page document issued by the manufacturer Pfizer you will see a list of psychiatric symptoms associated with this drug. The company states that zyrtec is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier and affect mental functions. This may be true but it appears to me that the drug affects the body's biochemistry in some other way that does extend to the brain. Bottom Line: NO ONE WITH A MOOD DISORDER SHOULD TAKE THIS DRUG. It may destabilize a person to such an extent that serious harm could occur. | M | 7 | 4 months | 12/16/2006 | 1 | allergies | My daughter started taking this for ecezma and allergies. She also has ashtma. I took her off the singulair and pulmicort too. She was a monster! My son who is 6 was on all these as well. I thought I was a bad mother and had mentally ill children.Then one day it occured to me to research these meds and was shocked to find out it was not just us. My kids are finally returning to normal.I worry about their ashtma but I couldn't take another day of it.I have tried to take my daughter off the zrtec before and the itching is unreal for her already bad eczema.Last night was her last dose!We will have to make it this time and get rid of it. What is wrong with these doctors giving this garbage? They should have to live with the kids that take it! | F | 3 | 9 months | 12/11/2006 | 1 | allergies | My daughter started taking this for ecezma and allergies. She also has ashtma. I took her off the singulair and pulmicort too. She was a monster! My son who is 6 was on all these as well. I thought I was a bad mother and had mentally ill children.Then one day it occured to me to research these meds and was shocked to find out it was not just us. My kids are finally returning to normal.I worry about their ashtma but I couldn't take another day of it.I have tried to take my daughter off the zrtec before and the itching is unreal for her already bad eczema.Last night was her last dose!We will have to make it this time and get rid of it. What is wrong with these doctors giving this garbage? They should have to live with the kids that take it! | She said she was hungry every second of the day even after eating a big meal. | F | 3 | 9 months | 12/11/2006 | 1 | Allergies | dry, sore throat; coughing; irritability. | My son was prescribed Zyrtec for "allergies", for one month he'd had a nighttime cough and his tonsils were enlarged. It did not help my son's sore throat and coughing, instead I believe it aggravated his throat further. His behavior changed for the worse, biting me and grinding his teeth in anger, which could be because he wasn't feeling well but after reading comments from other parents of young children, I wonder if the Zyrtec caused the change. I've taken him off the med, and he is sleeping much better and is acting better. | M | 3 | 1 months | 12/10/2006 | 2 | allergies | intense paranoia at night; hallucinations; drowsiness | I've only been taking this for two weeks, but it has helped the sneezing at night. However, for the last three days I've taken it, I wake up in the middle of the night feeling incredibly scared (which is unusual for me). It's freaking me out too much to continue, I think. | F | 31 | 2 weeks | 12/6/2006 | 1 | Allergies | Heart palpitations and arrhythmia (bigeminy) | I felt great when I had been on Zyrtec for a few weeks, but then I started having heart palpitations/fluttering, and sometimes my heart felt like it was going to pound right out of my chest. Every day it got worse, so I went back to the doctor and she found I was in bigeminy (arrhythmia). She referred me to a cardiologist and an endocrinologist, and all their tests came back A-OK. After six weeks I was so fatigued that I could barely work, and at that point I started my own research online. I found a few accounts similar to my own, and I took myself off the Zyrtec. The heart palpitations started decreasing in 2 days and in a few weeks they were gone. Goodbye Zyrtec! | F | 34 | 6 weeks | 12/4/2006 | 3 | allergies | I was taking zyrtec-d and the decongestant raised my blood pressure, giving me migraines. Stopped the med, much fewer migraines (I already had migraines to begin with). Plus, when I stopped taking it, I was sooo itchy for weeks that I had to take other histamines periodically just to stand it. You need to wean yourself off. | The antihistamine worked. I stopped taking the zyrtec-d and my allergies have been okay since it's not the season, but I wouldn't hesitate to try regular zyrtec as needed for my allergies. | F | 23 | 3 months | 12/3/2006 | 3 | Allergies, Sinusus | Appitite increase, Loss of libido,Sleepyiness. A tirade of mental problems I suppose were caused from Zyrtec,I don't truly have the right to say so since I already take Anto-depressants, but my syptoms sound awfully the same to others.It did help with allergies and sinus. | Well I never new these were SE While on them , now maybe this is the truth. I am a fairly small average guy.5,9 - 155 pounds. Well I started taking this and again at the time I did not think anything of it. I could out eat others by a mile , I mean big men, EASILY!!! I noticed decreased libido, Absolutely loss of concentration and focus, short term memory loss. And Sleepy as hell , When I first started taking this I nearly got in several wrecks trying to drive back from my Girlfriends house.Again I did not suspect Zyrtec to be causing all of this. I have a new bottle right now right in front of me that I was about to start again after being off for about 6 months, just cause I felt I should do some research just to be safe before I start back.good thing I did. One thing I want to ask , And please men comment on this. For you all who were only on Zyrtec, Did you notice say, If you did notice A loss of libido? And On top of that(maybe a direct link) maybe Delayed-ejaculation( c | M | 22 | 3 years | 11/28/2006 | 4 | allergy | Had become very tired at end of day. I take it at night. If I just sat still or laid on the couch in the evening (sometimes as early as 7:30) I could fall asleep for 2-3 hours. Before Zyrtec it was at most 10 - 20 Minutes. Also I would become very irritable by days end. However during the day it almost affected me like a mood elevator. I have been feeling very good and hope it was me rather than the Zyrtec. I didn't take it one night and slept fine. The next night I awoke around 2:00A.M and couldn't get back to sleep. Had anxiety and some wierd thoughts and also felt fearful. I had similar feelings when getting of of xanax many years ago. I am on no other meds than zyrtec now! Anyone else have similar feelings getting off of Zyrtec? I am trying to find the best and safest way to get off. Any suggestions are appreciated. My sleep had become so good with zyrtec I hope some previous episodes of insomnia do not return. D. | M | 59 | 6 days | 11/27/2006 | 1 | sinus and allergies | I was exhausted, spacy feeling, depressed, sad and moody (not like me at all). My short term memory was non existent. I was really concerned. I ate constantly, even when I knew I couldn't be hungry. I felt bloated and heavy. My whole body hurt. I thought it was from all the sugar and junk food I was inhaling. | I ran out of my prescription a few days ago, since then I have felt nauseated and having a constant headache. I thought I was coming down with some bug. My stomach has also felt like it was in knots and I am having diarrea. I felt so bad, I didn't want to get out to go refill my prescription. Something in my spirit prompted me to google zyrtec. Thank God for this website. I am relieved to know that I'm not losing my mind! I will not be taking zyrtec ever again. | F | 51 | 30 days | 11/21/2006 | 3 | Alergy | My son is on both zyrtec and singular. He was checked by a ped. phyc., speech theripst, and attends occupational therapy. We adopted him and he had hypothyiriodism and a deformity of the throat. After a toncil and adnoidectomy he began the meds to help with bad allergy and asthma symtoms. This child has become more and more valcanic in his behaviors. He has such a sweet character yet finds himself explosive and trigger happy with the responces that show extreme irritability. I Prayed last night in utter dispare as to how to address his needs. I saw myself doing a web search on the meds. Not only does this zyrtec show these effects but singular is no less a culpret. | Now I stand very concerned about withdrawl. I will print out this and the singular search I did. Why did all my conserns about these drugs fall on deaf ears all this time? I was asured that these drugs were o.k. over and over. | M | 5 | 3 years | 11/16/2006 |