Zyrtec

I have been taking Zyrtec for the last 4 months due to a small hives breakout. The situation has grown much worse over this period of time. I now have hives from head to toe, swelling of the eyes, lips, tongue and throat. I have never had a single allergy in my life. In addition, there are severe bouts of reflux due to the excess histamine.

It took a while to figure out that all these occurred as a result of not having any Zyrtec in my system. Shortly after that realization, I found this website which confirmed my suspicions. As of this post, the Zyrtec has worn off and I am on day one of my withdrawal. My eyelid is swollen and my face is welting up and the hives are reappearing. Tomorrow is my birthday. I am not leaving the house for the next week until this is history. It is the only present I want.

I took Zyrtec for 4 months over the summer of 2011. Within one day of stopping Zyrtec, I developed severe itching all over my body, beginning with the hands and feet, then moving onto the torso. This lasted for about 3 weeks. Now, I get a rash when I exercise, got hot, or when I get cold. I've been to several doctors, and they all say that the rash (or hives), is due to too much histamine. I feel that this is caused by Zyrtec, which placed an imbalance in my body of histamine. I have never had this problem before taking the drug.

Back in 2010, I was found to have seasonal allergies. For about 18 months, I have been using Zyrtec. Back in November 2010, I stopped using it and after 3 days of my last pill, I would start to itch like a maniac. I went back to the pill thinking it was an allergic reaction and guess what 1/2 hour later, I felt great again. It happened again in January of 2011 and then I started connecting the dots. Come December 2011 and again I had the same reaction and that's when I did some research and found so many complaints over the internet in reference to Zyrtec withdrawal. Like everybody else, it starts in the palm of the hands and then it moves freely all over the entire body. My worst itching is in the hands, back of the neck, head and elbows. It is driving me insane, the itch, but I am determined to stop the pill and cleanse my system from this hellish poison called Zyrtec.

I am right now in day five of not taking the Zyrtec pill. The itching is incredible to say the least. I read in some blogs that it takes about 2 - 3 weeks for the itch to go away but that the first 7 days are the worst. I also read that by taking vitamin C (3000 mg per day), stinging nettle extract and acidophilus, it helps you withstand the withdrawal effect and using Sarna anti-itch cream. I also read you need to keep a clean diet and drink lots of water because since Zyrtec is an antihistamine it inhibits you from food allergies you many not know you have. I hope and pray I can soldier it out and don't have to use this pill ever again.

I have been trying to quit this drug and have experienced intense itchiness that I have never felt before. It's as though my body is going bonkers with histamine, the itch comes from under the skin. The stories on this page all sound like it could be me. I would love to have allergy testing done to see if an underlying allergy is to blame, but I don't know if I could stand going without this drug for more than two days. I created a Facebook group for anyone who would like to discuss their plan for quitting Zyrtec. It is called Kicking The Big Z and it is an open group. I look forward to discussing an action plan with some of you out there.

I was told by my doctor a couple of years ago to take Zyrtec for my allergies. I was having just seasonal and occasional environmental allergy problems that were affecting my comfort and functionality in everyday life. At first I was able to only take it in the spring and summer. But this past year I was unable to stop taking it without my body having problems like I was having an allergy attack or reaction. I was itching all over! I felt like an addict with how bad I was itching on my hands, feet, arms, and legs.

I started taking it again since I felt better on it than off at the time. But this time around when I ran out, I know I don't actually need it since it is the winter! I stopped taking it, and once again I have horrible itches all over. And this time my throat feels swollen and I feel like I am getting a cold. But there are no changes in my symptoms getting worse or better over the past couple of days.

I can't wait until this is over. It is only day three or four, so I know my body will get better as time goes on. I should not have to be completely dependent on a medication, ever. The pharmaceutical industry and modern "medicine" have failed at taking care of my true overall well-being once again! I am so tired of this scam that the pharmaceutical companies are trying to play! Doctors and pharmacists have no idea this is happening, either, since there is no official FDA warning about the problem! What a disappointment!

I have been taking generic Zyrtec everyday for about 5 years and lately, it hasn't been helping with my runny nose or sneezing. I scheduled an appointment with an allergist and have been off the med for about 4 days. On day 3, I noticed that my entire body started intensely itching! My feet, thighs, arms, torso, neck, everything! It is driving me insane! I've decided that I am going to start weaning myself off of it over the next month. I can't believe this is happening!

I've been using Zyrtec regularly for about seven or eight years now for summer allergies. It has been pretty good at keeping my sneezing fits and congestion at bay during the summer and fall when I experience daily symptoms but I don't need it in winter or spring so I always stop my usage around October. This year, I have had an extreme itch reaction which is making it impossible to stop using Zyrtec. I am now doing half doses about twice a week.

It typically takes about three days for the itching to return and once it becomes unbearable, it takes another half hit which is usually on day four or five. In the past, I just soldiered through the itching not realizing the connection to coming off of Zyrtec. But it seems to have gotten more severe with each passing winter and this is the first winter that I made the connection to my itching and the discontinuance of Zyrtec. I'm trying once more to break my addiction but I'm itching like mad. I am not sure what I'll do once allergy season comes back assuming I am successful in breaking the addiction over winter.

After our MD/kids pediatrician instructed us to give our 2 kids Zyrtec, we did. 1 is 4 months old, and the other is 7 years old. Wow, what a mistake. I gave them 1/2 tsp at nighttime, and the next morning, they had rashes and itched. I just read all of these complaints, and can not believe the FDA is allowing this to be OTC. It's time to go back to Allegra.

4 years ago, I developed terrible chest congestion & coughing. My original doctor had me on antibiotics for 1 1/2 months before I gave up & switched doctors. I was diagnosed with allergies & the following year, I was sent to a pulmonologist to treat the continuing chest congestion & coughing. He diagnosed me with allergic asthma & put me on 2 different inhalers & zyrtec. Eventually, it turned out that I really didn't have asthma, but I stayed on the zyrtec to prevent flair ups of the coughing fits.

Then last year, we went away for a couple of days & I forgot to bring the zyrtec with me. When I started breaking out with horrible, terrible itching from head to toe, I thought I was allergic to the detergent the hotel was using on it's bed linens. I even checked the whole room for bed bugs & was going crazy with the itching. It started on my hands, then my feet then moved over the rest of my body, head to toe & every inch in between. It was worse than awful and embarrassing as well. When I got home & started taking zyrtec again, the itching stopped but I didn't put two & two together.

A couple of months later, I went away again & the same thing happened. I still didn't get it, I still thought it was the detergent. But when we had another short trip planned, I went to the drugstore & asked if I could take benadryl with the zyrtec to ease the reaction to the detergent. They said no & that's when I realized that I hadn't been taking the zyrtec.

Since then, I've experimented with stopping the zyrtec & the same thing has happened over & over again. I spoke to the pulmonologist & he said that there was nothing written about "zyrtec withdrawal". I spoke to my pharmacist and he said the same thing. I spoke to my previous doctor & she said it wasn't possible either. I now have a new doctor & asked her the same thing. I have gotten the same response from everyone - that zyrtec is "obviously covering another allergy" and I'll probably never know what I'm allergic to!

I have now finished day 4 without it. My hands, feet & scalp itches constantly, but mildly & it's bearable. I can feel the itching moving to other parts of my body but I'm going to try to last as long as possible. I can't take benadryl because even a small amount makes me too groggy to function.

I wish this site would respond & give me an idea of how to get off this medication.

I've had seasonal and pet allergies all of my life. I used to take Benadryl during major flare ups, but it made me feel too drowsy. I tried Allegra, but that gave me severe back pain. So, there was Zyrtec. It was wonderful. All allergy symptoms faded, and it lasted 24 hrs without major side effects. But after several years on Zyrtec, I noticed I was suffering memory fog, dizziness, slight nausea, dry mouth, fatigue, and muscle pain. Doctors ran tests and found nothing wrong. I wondered if it was the Zyrtec, so I quit taking it.

Two days later, I no longer have any of the symptoms above, but I cannot deal with the withdrawal itching! It feels like there are bugs crawling under my skin and scalp. My back is so itchy that I thought I was bitten multiple times by a mosquito. (But it's winter.) When I lifted my shirt, I had welts across my left shoulder blade that look like I've been whipped. The welts are now starting to harden. I'm taking small doses of Benadryl to compensate, but why is there such a negative reaction to stopping Zyrtec? It's not right.

My story is the same as everyone here. I have been on Zyrtec for about 10 years. I took it faithfully for about 8 of those years everyday, because it was indeed the magic pill. But the day I forgot to get some more, and couldn't get anywhere to get more, became the night from hell. About 1AM, I am laying in bed, and all of a sudden I am itching everywhere! I did not think anything of it, and thought maybe it is just rash, like eczema, and then it slowly went away, and the next day I got my Zyrtec fix. Then about 8 months later, I forgot to stop at the pharmacy on my way home to get some more, and then the same thing happened as before.

It still didn't really dawn on me until about 2 months later, when I decided to do an experiment of my own, and didn't take it. Surprise! I get the same rash. I then wanted to take myself off it, and went 3 days without the medication. Safe to say I did not make it, then I got my fix, and within 30 minutes I was cleared up. Now I have to take this million dollar medication, to keep the rash away. Makes sense from a business point of view for sure. Get them hooked like druggies, so they have to keep coming back. The poor souls who get prescribed it, don't know this.

There, at the very least, should be some sort of notice on the packaging. How did the FDA not catch this? I mean, come on! Then the fact that the doctors look at you cross eyed, when you tell them you found out it is the drug itself giving you the problem, not anything else. Best case scenario would be, it is pulled out of the shelves, however a lifetime supply for each person already hooked would be a must, because I for one, cannot stand it for more than 3 days, let alone the month or so it takes, for the effects to go away.

I have used Zyrtec for probably 8 years. For the first time in these 8 years, I decided to go off the Zyrtec. I'm not having the itching that so many people are talking about, but I am experiencing debilitating headaches. I rarely have a headache, so these are causing me to totally change my whole life. I'm determined to not go back on Zyrtec and just suffer through allergiesif I can just function!

Now that I have been off for a few days for the upcoming tests I have terrible itching..I had to call off work 2 days now it is so intense! I am amazed at the people on this forum and the similarities! I thought I had dermatographism but now I think I may have an addiction to Zyrtec D. This is awful!

They don't get one star. They get minus 100 stars. My girls have been taking Zyrtec for years. Now the doctor told me to take my 15-year old off it for five days before she visits her new allergist. On day 4 of no Zyrtec, she is getting random itchiness all over. My sister told me when she quit taking Zyrtec, she had hives so bad that they were like welts. And she was bruised from scratching herself.

This is crazy. I called the Zyrtec number to inquire about it (1-800-451-5084) and they tried to convince me they've never heard of such a thing. They took my information and said they'd send it to their safety department.

This is crazy. I need to get my girls off this drug. It caused severe itchiness, visits to the doctor and ER. Please help.

My doctor prescribed the generic form of Zyrtec (ceterizine and pseudoephrine) to alleviate a chronic cough. I've taken the medication for about 5 months now. Recently, I stopped, thinking that the allergy season had ended. About 48 hours later, I began to experience intense itching of hands, feet, back, abdomen, arms, and legs. Then, my scalp began to itch. I had never before experienced this type of skin irritation.

After 2 days, I went back on the medication and the itching stopped. As of today, I am going off the medication again and have no intention of resuming it. I will just have to deal with the itching until the adverse reaction clears my system. I wish I had known earlier that this was likely to happen.

Like many on this site, I have been trying Zyrtec for allergies. It's done a wonderful job of keeping my allergies (dust, pollen, etc. ) away. However, also like everybody here, I've noted a serious itching that starts in the hands and feet (I assume the itching is where the sweat glands are most prevalent). I've also been given to wonder if another side affect has been sexual dysfunction. I've found a few other sites that have alluded to this.

What good is the FDA if they can allow crap like this to be on the market? Itching be damned, I'm not taking this crap again! Thank goodness for Benadryl. It actually seems to help stop the itching while relieving allergy symptoms.

10 years ago, I paid $350 to see an immunologist. He prescribed Zyrtec and he said that 80% of the causes of my illness is unknown. But now, after research and gathering more insights, I believe that I have an intolerance that could've been dealt with without antihistamines.

I have been taking one quarter of Zyrtec every day for ten years and tried to come off it twice. Also every after 36 hours, I experienced lightheadedness, nausea and itching, and I must take more Zyrtec to cope and function.

I have also noticed that a brilliant blog on Zyrtec withdrawal titled "Quit Zytec, Get Itchy" has been removed by Google. Zyrtec have obviously handed over enough money to Google to remove it, as the truth about this horrendous drug was being visited by thousands of consumers. Something is needed to be done about this over the counter medication.

Here's a little slice of hope. I went through the same itching with Zyrtec. Three times I went off, three times I got the same itching; starting in the hands and feet, eventually reaching my whole body until I was in a panic, then I would take Benadryl to knock me out and go get Zyrtec first thing in the morning. Finally, I saw this website, realized what it was and put my mind to staying off no matter how bad the itching got. I will say that after about a month, the itching started to go away. It was really bad at times, I scratched my legs and arms until bleeding on many occasions.

I found that large doses of Ibuprofen helped and Benadryl at night when I couldn't sleep. It wasn't fun and I actually had to explain what was going on to my co-workers because they would inquire as to why I was itching so hard all over. And I can soundly say that it was 100% definitely a reaction to Zyrtec. Besides having very unique symptoms (compared to the other itching symptoms I was looking up before I found this forum), I also have not taken any more allergy meds since going off of Zyrtec and the itching has been going away. Again, it has been about a month now and the itching is almost gone.

I gave it a 1 star, only because I had to. I wish I could go negative on the star scale! I have taken Zyrtec for a couple of years now both brand name and generic. Two years ago, I tried to "go off" of it during my non-allergy season and it took days to figure out why I was itching profusely. After nearly a week, I was going so crazy, I had to start again. I decided at that point to get a pill cutter and to take only .5 of the pills as I've done that the last year.

A few weeks ago, I read antihistamines can dry you out and that's not great if you are trying to conceive. Well, we are trying to conceive a baby, so I tried to stop taking the .5 pill and am going crazy. I take the itching hands and feet as long as possible and then take .25 of a pill. I'm able to go about 2 days before it is unbearable. I hate Zyrtec. I told my doctor and he said it must be my allergies acting up. He sees no relevant correlation to my stopping Zyrtec. For those that can't get relief, keep trying to step down your dose and lengthen the intervals. Eventually it has to stop. If this prevents me from getting pregnant I am going to picket outside of their corporate headquarters.

My allergist recommended taking the generic form of Zyrtec to control my allergies and asthma. Three years later, I stop taking it because I'm trying to get pregnant. This is the third time that I have tried to stop taking the drug and each time I do, I have terrible itching! It is so bad, I have been loading myself up on Benadryl pills and cream to make it stop. I am on Day 4 and I still feel completely helpless against the itching! When will it stop? If my doctor had told me about these horrible withdrawal symptoms, I would have dealt with the itchy eyes and throat and saved myself from this hell.

I'm having the severe itching and hives approximately two days after taking Zyrtec. I have never had serious allergy problems but went through a bout of it and took Zyrtec, which was effective.

When no longer needed for allergies, I started with the red raised severe itching issue. Only taking another Zyrtec would completely relieve symptoms and within 30 minutes, I was left with bruises on my body from the intense itching and uncontrollable scratching.

I couldn't imagine anyone else with my symptoms and was shocked when I read these complaints! Now what am I gonna do? My body is dependent on an OTC medicine!

I took it for years since high school, and I am now 21 years old. After I stop using the drug, my skin would become itchy and turns red from any contact. It took me years to realize that an addiction to Zyrtec has occurred. I always assumed, like many, that it was a change in detergent or eczema or some imagined condition. I finally thought, wait this only happens after a while after I take it, but by the time I had noticed my skin and the rest of my body would go crazy for it.

This is mainly because of the fact that the filthy, greedy pharmaceutical company's patents for drugs run dry then the drug becomes OTC (Over-The-Counter) When this prescription strength miracle drug becomes available to the unsuspecting masses, who self medicate for pennies a day instead of dollars dependency sets in much sooner. Now there are those that were prescribed this catch all drug by their ** doctors. These doctors are **! Take more and more they say! It's just the hives doing this to you. The pharmaceutical companies didn't tell them ** about side effects because they didn't test them extensively enough, or that's what I'm guessing.

It was horrible! I started taking Zyrtec for allergies, but I noticed once I stopped taking it, I would itch myself to death. The only way I could ever get this to stop was to take another Zrytec, and it would give me relief from itching for no more than three days per a pill. My scalp, shoulders, back, legs and stomach would itch so bad that I could not sleep. I would take all sorts of showers, apply lotions and et cetera, but nothing would make it stop, until I took another Zyrtec! This is no way to live, and I can't even stop taking it! I've been to the doctor over five times and I going again tomorrow! I'm exhausted from lack of sleep because of this drughorrible! This needs to be removed from the shelves.

I've been taking Zyrtec for a couple of years for allergies. I stopped taking it recently and realized when I did, I started itching all over. I feel like mosquitos are biting me. So, I started taking it back, thinking that my allergies are acting up. I stopped again two days ago and started the same itching all over. I scratched to the point of welting and rashes developing all over my arms, legs, and back. My scalp itches so bad that sores form under my hair.

I decided to get on Google tonight and see what I could find about it. I never expected to see that hundreds of people are going through the same thing. Something's got to be done. There are children becoming addicted to this medicine. I actually gave my 3 year old the children's version this summer. Thank God I stopped after a week or so. So what am I supposed to do? Take it for the rest of my life?

I was stung by a bee this past March. The next day, my hands and feet started itching. Soon it spread to nearly my entire body. Welts would appear if I scratched, even lightly (dermagraphia?).

I started taking Benadryl. Doctor prescribed prednisone and cortizone creams and oatmeal baths. These things helped slightly but it wasn't until I started taking a generic form of Zyrtec that I experienced relief from the itching and hives.

But, now I am unable to go off of the Zyrtec or the hives and itching starts all over again, beginning with my hands and feet. It has been over 4 months. After reading the complaints on this site, I fear I may have to take this medicine for life.

I was originally prescribed this awful so-called medicine many years ago by the Salinas Allergy Clinic. Now I think what wonderful vacations the pharmaceutical company gives the doctors there for them to keep "pushing" this horrible drug.

I am determined to get off Zrytec but I am going through the hell of hives now weeks after quitting (was on lower only 5 mg for years as well, which I now realized only made it worse!) I have learned from others it could take months to not fight hives and constant itching.

IMHO, stay away from Zrytec and think twice before letting these so-called healers who are crooks in the name of medicine prescribe it as helpful.

I have sufferred from minor seasonal allergies for about 18 years. I have used OTC remedies with good relief. When Claratin D went OTC I started taking it with much better success. In May of 2009 I was suffering from severe nasal congestion. My sinuses were completely blocked. The Clartin wasn't working this time and neither were other OTC meds. It moved into my chest so decided it was more than allergies and went to Urgent Care. I was diagnosed with bronchitis and severe seasonal allergies. The ER physician recommended Claratin D for the congestion but i explained that I had tried that without relief. His 2nd choice was Zyrtec D.

After that episode resolved and the seasons allergens had decreaased (approximately 3 weeks) I stopped taking the Zyrtec D. After 48 hours of no Zyrtec D in my system my feet and palms of hands started to itch. There was no hive, no redness, no visible sign of irritation. With each additional 12-18 hours that passed, the itching spread futher up my legs and by 72 hours was to my torso. Over the past 3 years I have tried multiple times to stop but with the same result. The itching is so intense I can't sleep, I can't concentrate and I sratch my feet and ankles so hard the skin breaks. I have tried taking the Claratin D instead to wean myself off of Zyrtec but the itching still starts. I have tried taking Benadryl to stop the itching but without relief. Three years later, I continue to take 1-12 hour tablet daily.

I have talked to 2 different physicians, CNPs and PAs about this side effect. None of them have ever heard of this happening. People need to be informed. That is my biggest complaint. There is absolutely no warning of this severe side effect on an labeling and nothing on their website. People need to be warned of this and take into serious consideration that they may not be able to stop it before starting the drug.

My son had a severe reaction to a bug bite, as well as, chronic cough and congestion. He was prescribed Zyrtec. He had to go in for minor surgery and go off the Zyrtec for a day. While in the hospital for 2 days, he had no Zyrtec and then at home too because his congestion was not bad. After 3 days off the Zyrtec, he started scratching his chest non-stop, digging at it until it bled. We had to put band-aids on. We called the doctor and said to give Benadryl, we did, and it did nothing. Deciding to try on the Zyrtec again, the itching went away immediately.

I am wondering if this was a result of the withdrawal and I am afraid to take him back off the drug if he's going to dig his chest out every time.

I had a very severe side effect from taking Zyrtec. After 3 days on it, I couldn't breath and went to the doc. He didn't know what was wrong with me, and it didn't occur to me at that time that my problem was this drug. He put me on lots of other drugs and told me to keep taking the Zyrtec, not realizing my problem had started from it.

Well after a month on lots of different stuff (antibiotic, inhalers, nasal sprays, etc.), he was unable to help me and referred me to a allergist. Now before this appointment, I had to stop all the meds the other doc had me on 3 day prior to seeing him. After 1 day off meds, I thought I would die. I could not stop itching, and my body was breaking out in big welts that burned and hurt really bad.

By the time I got to my appointment, the allergist just said to me to stop itching; it wasn't making it better (like I could stop). And I was given a ton of other medications and sent home. And I was also told to keep taking the Zyrtec (amazing). After 1 day back on the Zyrtec, all my itching went away, and the welts started getting better. Still, I couldn't breath.

Now a month on his meds, I was really getting sick of all these medicines, because I hate taking medicines and I used to be a very strong person and worked very hard at a very physical job. And now, by this time, I'm weak, coughing all the time; my nose never stops running. And these docs and meds didn't help. So after the last antibiotics, I stopped all the meds.

Oh oh, the itching came back, the welts came back and the hives. And seriously, I looked like a maniac scratching my self everywhere. And if I just touched my skin with a fingertip, it would welt up. So I started researching online all my symptoms and problems, and Zyrtec came up over and over--mostly the withdrawal, but I had also a side effect.

It looked like I was going to have this itching prob for a long time, and people were talking about doing a step-down program with it--less and less over a few month period. (Oh my god! This drug is so dangerous.) I stopped cold turkey, not wanting to take this drug for 1 more day. It was very, very hard and took months to stop itching.

Zyrtec is a bad quality allergy pill being sold at the most expensive price. How did Zyrtec get approved by the FDA? I paid nearly $30 for a bottle out of Wal-mart in Tracy, CA and the only effect the pills gave is being sleepy for the whole 24hrs day. As soon as I wake up, the allergy hits again. This is a bad drug and must be recalled and banned from the market. Period.

I have been taking Zyrtec (10 mg) daily for about six years for seasonal allergies. During the winter months, I try to stop taking the medication because the allergens I am sensitive to are not present. Every time I have tried to stop taking the Zyrtec, I go through such severe withdrawal symptoms that I wind up going back on the medication, even though I don't want to.

When I stop taking the Zyrtec, I have terrible itching and intermittent skin rashes. My hands and feet itch so bad that I can't concentrate. I develop small welts that I will scratch until they bleed. The itch can be so bad, I think I will go insane.

Going back to taking the medication is all I can do to relieve the itch. I feel like I've been hooked. It wasn't so bad when my insurance co-pay would pick up most of the cost, but now that it is "over-the-counter," I have a $25.00 a month habit that I suffer from if I try to break it. I just got to thinking. $26 a month multiplied by 12 months a year is $300/yr. The last two years I've spent $600 to avoid the itching. Hundreds of people have complained about this side effect and McNeil is still pushing this drug with no warning.

I've been taking Zyrtec for many years to help control autoimmune chronic urticaria. When not in a flare (in remission), I will still take one non-drowsy antihistamine a day to keep my histamine production down.

Recently I've been on Zyrtec every day for the last year and a half. A few weeks ago, I decided to stop taking Zyrtec to see if I needed it or not. I do not want to take a drug if I don't need to. Within 24 hours I developed itchy welts on the back of my hands and between my fingers and also on the top of my feet and toes. These welts itched and burned and were so uncomfortable and painful. I also had some swelling on the palms of my hands. I thought my autoimmune disease was flaring up since this is one of the main symptoms so I went back on Zyrtec after two days of suffering from the welts.

I then tried to stop Zyrtec again about a week later and the same thing happened. This time, I also had an intense headache after about 15 hours without Zyrtec and also developed some nausea. I couldn't take the headache and nausea anymore as well as the itching welts which started to appear on my torso, too, so I caved in and took a Zyrtec.

I then tried to stop Zyrtec again about one more week later and the same symptoms arose -- itchy welts, headache and nausea. I started to put this all together and think that it wasn't my autoimmune disease after all, but maybe I was having withdrawal symptoms and that Zyrtec was addictive -- or even worse -- maybe Zyrtec has permanently changed my body's ability to function normally and I need Zyrtec now just to be normal.

Meanwhile, I have other autoimmune diseases that are worsened by taking this antihistamine (Sjorgrens) which is why I wanted to stop taking it if I'm in remission from my chronic urticaria. This is nothing short of a nightmare. I can't function at work or anywhere else for that matter under these withdrawal conditions and I don't even know if they will ever stop since this drug may have altered my normal way of functioning.

I ran out of dirt-cheap generic Zyrtec a few days ago and didn't worry about it. I'd get more and what was the worse that could happen. I'd get a stuffy nose? So when I broke out into an itchy rash 4 days ago and again 3 days ago, I thought it was some bizarre new food allergy. What else could it be! I was up at 4 am this morning with itchy skin and could not get back to sleep. I again wrote it off. It was only this evening, day 4 without Zyrtec, when my hands and even my palms were so itchy did I wonder if Zyrtec had been suppressing other allergic symptoms.

So I looked up Zyrtec withdrawal. I did not expect to find so many others having the same experiences as me. I always thought Zyrtec was harmless, a better alternative to Claritin which is barely better than a placebo. Maybe it is, but does it also create some unintentional side-effects, essentially an addiction? Who would ever know. Does the FDA ever require new drugs be tested for more than a few months? I'd been on it for over two years. Now that I know there are potential problems with this drug, I have to find a way to deal with the symptoms.

I have never taken the time before to write a complaint about anything. However, after going through this itching episode with Zyrtec, I felt I should take the time to let others know. It is awful. I stopped taking Zyrtec about 3 weeks ago because it was making me feel tired. Little did I know, this was insignificant as compared to the itching once you stop taking it. I cannot believe there is not a warning on the box. I was really beginning to think that I needed to see a specialist because I thought the itching was a sign of kidney disease or something similar.

However, when I started to really think about it, I remembered a similar occurrence about 5 years ago when I took Zyrtec for a short period and then got off of them. I guess I forgot because it didn't last this long and was not as bad. I, too, now feel like it should be considered addictive since I am sure some people started back taking it just to stop the itching. It has caused me to have to purchase and take other medications to deal with the itching. There is definitely some psychological damage because you think you may have a serious medical issue and the itching is very uncomfortable.

Took Zyrtec for four months for hives. On stopping, had intense itching and rashes on stopping the drug, which stopped on taking Zyrtec. Second time, I am trying to get off it. Am on day 14 without it and still itching, though it is not as bad as the first 2-3 days. I don't know how long before the itching stops but I am determined not go back to this drug. It is addictive and should not be on sale and certainly not OTC. I don't understand how such a drug can be sold without warnings and over the counter.

Gave my daughter, age nine, the correct dosage of Zyrtec and she started experiencing severe itchiness almost immediately. It was a 24 hour tablet so we are still annoyed by this difficulty. Had to keep her home from school and everything. Benadryl seems to not help at all. So frustrating! Was reading the many reports of itchiness in withdrawal symptoms and thought someone should know it doesn't have to be after taking the medicine for a long time. One dose is enough for severe all over body itch (even her tongue, poor baby). Throwing that medicine in the trash.

My daughter was prescribed this medicine for her allergies a few months ago. I have noticed that ever since then, when she misses a dose, her allergies seem to be 10 times worse than when she wasn't on it. It is like she has to have this medicine, and that worries me a lot, especially since she is only 8 years old. I also have a friend who has a son on Zyrtec and he got it for the itching of eczema, and when he doesn't have this medicine he breaks out in hives and he is itchy all over. Its like our kids bodies can't function with out this medicine, and for the doctors to tell us to give it to them everyday, I feel has only added to the problem.

I decided to research this, because as a parent, I want what's best for my child. It is very scary to know that she can potentially have the itching problem, if I let her continue taking this medicine. I am grateful for all the people coming forward with this, and hope that doctors, and this company look into this, and resolve these issues. My daughter is no longer going to take this medicine, and I will be seeing her doctor soon.

I take Zyrtec for seasonal allergies. I stopped in order to take a first time food allergy test and within 48 hours, I was scratching my sides, arms, and back so much that I had red whelps on my sides from the scratching. I could not stop. I thought that I was having a little dry skin due to the change in weather, but this was unbearable. I have never scratched like this until red whelps showed up on my sides except when I was given morphine in the hospital after a surgery.

They discovered I was allergic to morphine, and later I had the same experience to codeine. Therefore, I would analyze that this is an allergic reaction to my body needing the drug - Zyrtec. It would appear that I am addicted. I "was" able to stop the morphine, and given another pain reliever but how will I be able to stop taking Zyrtec? It will create the unbearable itching that I am going through right now. I never had itching problems from my allergies, only congestion and sinus headaches. This would be a new symptom for my year round seasonal allergies. I had a test 6 months ago, that said I was not as allergic to environmental allergies. So why is this happening after only three days off the medication?

My husband is going through the same Zyrtec withdrawal that hundreds of other people have complained about on this Consumer Affairs website, as well as a site out there called Zyrtecwithdrawal that was started back in 2007. When he contacted Mcneil, the company that owns Zyrtec, they said they have never heard of this before. His doctor first put him on another allergy medication to try to slowly switch him over. Then, he put him on steroids to try to wean him off of the Zyrtec. But no matter what, he cannot go more than 36 hours without itching so bad (from the inside), that he feels like he is losing his mind. We know of 2 people in our neighborhood that are experiencing the same withdrawal symptoms and there are hundreds complaining on the web. We did give Mcneil the Zyrtecwithdrawal website so they could see that people have been having these problems since 2007. We never heard back from them.

I had been taking Zyrtec for approximately 6 months every day for sinus issues. My condition improved so I stopped taking the Zyrtec. Within 48 hours my hands and feet started itching like crazy. I was at a loss as to what was causing it until I realized that the only thing different I was doing was not taking the Zyrtec. Each day the itching got worse and the rest of my body started itching. It has now been 5 days and I do not feel any relief from the itching. I am about to go crazy. As everyone else on this site has said there is no warning on the packaging. I am going to try to stay off of the medication for a few weeks and hopefully by that time period the itching will have gone away. I hate to be taking a drug that is not needed just so I do not have the withdrawal symptoms. The manufacturer of Zyrtec needs to disclose this on their box so that people who purchase this product know what they are getting into.

I had been taking Zyrtec for about a year because of allergies. I had been to the doctor and she had put me on Singular because the Zyrtec wasn't working anymore. After I stopped taking Zyrtec, I broke out in this horrible rash and I thought I was having an allergic reaction to the Singular. My doctor told me to stop taking it and continue with the Zyrtec and the itchiness went away, so I thought the problem was fixed. I recently went to have an allergy test done and I had to be off all allergy medicine for 3-5 days. 24 hours after not having any allergy medicine, I broke out in the horrible rash and itchiness again.

I am extremely upset that people aren't aware of and informed of the consequences that occur after the stopping of this medicine.

The FDA needs to do something about this. There needs to be a warning put on the back of the bottle that warns people of this or it needs to be taken off the shelf all together. I have been off the medication for a week so far and I'm doing better, but this week has been a nightmare. I encourage people to not take this medicine and find another alternative because getting off of Zyrtec is extremely hard, stressful and painful!

I have been taking Zyrtec for about 18 months for seasonal allergies. I have never had any skin/hive problems in the past. I took Allegra and Claritin in the past and was told that Zyrtec was really good for seasonal allergies so I thought I would try it. As soon as I tried to stop it about a year ago, I became itchy all over, so I took it again. I skipped a dose the other night and started to itch severely all over about 48 hours later. I can't seem to get off this drug. It is killing me. I have talked to my doctor about this and he thinks I am crazy. He says that he has never heard of this reaction. I have since decided to switch back to Claritin to see if this improves anything. It has been three days so far being off of Zyrtec and taking Claritin. I have some itchiness but nothing near what I had if I just stopped the Zyrtec altogether.

For the past 30 years, I have used various medications to cope with seasonal allergies or hay fever including Benadryl, Claritin, and others. Typically, I use the medicines for 3 to 5 weeks during the spring and then I am okay for the rest of the year. This year, I used Zyrtec and a Cetirizine generic from Costco. Typically, I stop taking medicines around late July or August when the tree pollen has subsided. It is now late September and I have been trying to stop taking Zyrtec for over a month.

However, after about 24 hours of taking the last dose, I get severe asthma-like symptoms, hot flashes, uncontrollable coughing and a severe headache. If I take another dose of Zyrtec, the symptoms go away within hours. My body is addicted to this medication and I don't know how to get off of it. I am going to try to take Claritin instead of Zyrtec and then see if I can wean off of Claritin. This sucks! Zyrtec sucks! This drug needs to be re-evaluated by the FDA.

I have been taking Zyrtec for about 1 year for allergies. I had ran out of the medication for 2-3 days. I had started itching and could not understand why. I got the medication and the itching went away, well I ran out again and the itching returned. So, I figured out that it had to do with the Zyrtec.

I have the same symptoms as others on this site. Itching start in hands and feet and get worse from there. I am very angry that a warning was not put on the box or on the side effects list. How do I get off of this medication now?

The next day it would be the other side. And the next day it would be my neck and ankles.

This was so strange and debilitating that I went to my family doctor and she sent me to a specialist in rheumatological issues. She ran blood tests and could not find any conclusive evidence of the problem. They were thinking that maybe it was lupus. Meanwhile, I got on the internet and looked for my symptoms. I just happened upon a blog that had hundreds of people with this issue after stopping Zyrtec. I could not believe this! How can all these people be so damaged by an over the counter drug with no real side effects listed?

I went back to taking the Zyrtec out of sheer desperation and have tried several times to stop but cannot get past the pain and the flu. I have a life that has no room for this insanity! I am now taking a drug simply to not have the symptoms of not taking the drug. How insane is that? Zyrtec needs to be held accountable for this blatant abuse of the consumer. If there are attorneys or other groups of people out there who are coming together to confront the makers of Zyrtec and its generics, I would gladly jump on board. I feel so angry but have no recourse for action. Signed, extremely frustrated Zyrtec addict.

I have been taking Zyrtec for over 3 years for allergies. This drug was recommended by my Allergist. I have tried to stop several times before and 2 days later after stopping taking the pill (10mg) the itch all over my body is horrendous! In the past, I thought that stopping the pill was causing me to have more allergies, so I would start taking it again, but tonight I couldn't take the itch anymore and decided to find out more information about Zyrtec on the Web.

I came across this site that has so many complains of people who have tried to stop Zyrtec before with the same results as me. I really believe that Zyrtec is addictive and they should not be selling it over the counter and that the makers of Zyrtec need to disclose the side effects of this drug. My child have also taken Zyrtec for children with the same results. This drug is addictive and should be taken off the market. The makers of Zyrtec should be held accountable for my misfortune as well as many others out there.

Was prescribed Zyrtec by my doctor. I took it for two week and then forgot to renew the prescription. I took my last dose on Saturday, and by Monday morning my hands started itching really badly. I assumed I had touched something that was irritating them. I treated them with a hydrocortisone, which worked for a little bit but the itching returned. By Tuesday my whole body itched. And I mean my whole body. It is very uncomfortable. Had I known that Zyrtec would cause me to become addicted, I would not have taken it. There are a lot of drugs out there that will cause side effects when stopped (most anti-depressants), but you are warned before hand. I think that Zyrtec should make this possibility known! It is only day two, but so far it has made me extremely uncomfortable. I do not see sleeping coming easy tonight!

I have taken Zyrtec for about 4 years for allergies, but not skin allergies. I do not have skin ones. I am going to have allergy testing done and you have to be off all allergy meds for a week before you have them. I have not had any Zyrtec for 4 days now and I am almost out of my mind! I spend most of the day welting and itching like a crazy person! I have never experienced such intense itching as this. I thought I was a nut case until I read about all the people who experience this withdrawal. The FDA should put a warning on Zyrtec to tell the habit forming ability it has and the intense itching withdrawals it causes! No one should suffer like this! I only hope I can make it long enough for my testing; I want to never take this product again but too many more days of this and they'll be taking me away!

I have taken Zyrtec for approximately 1 year due to extreme allergies to the point of losing my voice. I have tried three times not to take it every day, which caused itching. Today is July 22, 2010 and I am having extreme itching reaction in trying to quit cold turkey. I have terrible itching, welts, and hives including extreme discomfort in head, tongue, and throat.

I had extreme itchiness and hives. This drug should not be sold.

Also at the same time we gave the "kids" version to our 8 year old, and he's been a raving lunatic that gets angry/cries when you look at him.

This drug should have more warnings.

WORST DRUG EVER!!!!!!

Addiction to Zyrtec. I've been taking Zyrtec for the past 3 years. The first year, it was taken only as a seasonal medication. The past 2 years, every time I tried to stop taking the medication, I would have severe itch all over my body within 48 hours. I thought my allergy has gotten worse over the years. I just went for a re-test at the allergist and my test actually showed that my allergies have shown great improvement. I used to be allergic to everything, except feathers. Now I'm only allergic to grasses. So why has my skin condition gotten so severe. So many things didn't make sense. After reading complaints from others on your web site, I realize that I'm not alone. My 12 year old daughter also has the same issues as I. How can this product be available OTC with a warning!

Like many others who have filed complaints about Zyrtec, I have found it difficult to stop taking it. I took it only for 2 weeks, before finding that it dried me out too much for comfort or health. I quit, and 3 or so days later experienced extreme itching all over my body. Lest someone think that this was merely my allergic reaction returning, I have never had generalized itching before this. My dust allergy has previously affected my sinuses exclusively. It is remotely possible that the itching is coincidental, but I have my doubts after reading that others experienced the same thing.

My experience is much like what is described by others. I used Zyrtec for a long time. I tried to stop and got the most intense itching. I thought my allergy symptoms were reappearing and necessitated continued medication, but I began to be suspicious because I didn't use to need allergy medicine 365 days a year. I absolutely cannot miss. There is no question in my mind that this is withdrawal and I am now committed to finding a way to wean off of this drug. There is no warning about this. I spend money on the drug and continue to take a drug I'm not sure I need.

I'm taking Zyrtec. Just like all the other stories, I cannot go off Zyrtec without severe itching. I have been trying to for years now. Without knowing the consequences, my children are now hooked on it. Zyrtec works well for airborne allergens, but unfortunately for all of us, we are subjected to a life of staying on it or itching ourselves to death. I am angry and what happens if we should no longer afford to take Zyrtec? Doctors have known what I think for several years now. I truly believe it is the Zyrtec, but no ne listens or does anything about it. We need to find something to take to successfully go off it, and Pfizer should help us do it.

I was instructed by my physician to take Zyrtec-D for nasal congestion/allergies. I have been taking the medication for nearly one year. I tried to stop taking Zyrtec-D about three months ago to see if my allergies were severe enough to warrant taking the medication. Within two days, severe itching and rash occurred. I have never had any type of skin irritation or itching before. I decided to go back on Zyrtec for the nasal allergies. The doctor had suggested it and the skin itching cleared up also.

I just ran out of Zyrtec-D four days ago and wanted to see if I could go without the medication. I am now experiencing severe skin itching everywhere and rashes where I scratch. It started about 48 hours after stopping the medication. This is the second time I have tried to stop taking the medication and have had the same extreme reaction. Apparently, I am not alone.

Zyrtec causes extreme itchiness when many people try to stop. This is well known and all over the web yet there are no strong warnings issued. This is most definitely not caused by a return of allergies. I've followed a step down withdrawal program recommended on another website and was fine up until now. I should be taking .25/mg every other day but my first day without any drug at all was excruciating so may try alternating .25 with .12 (it's tough cutting the pills but the alternative is unbearable) and then step down from there. Doctors and the FDA should warn people about this!

I took Zyrtec OTC for NASAL ALLERGIES ONLY-have never had any hives, skin problems, etc. Within 2 days of stopping this medication I was itching intensely all over. My skin is bruised and bleeding from the scratching. Its now been 5 months and although it has improved, I am still using OTC anti-itch lotion everyday. I am positive this is a result of the Zyrtec and I have reported this to the company and the FDA.

This year (beginning in early April 2009) I started taking Zyrtec when a medical professional suggested it to me, as being more effective than Claritin. I took Zyrtec all through the spring, but when I tried to stop in early summer I was still having allergy issues (itchy eyes, runny nose) so I continued taking Zyrtec all summer long, until the end of September. I stopped "cold turkey" on October 1st, 2009 figuring I was past the worst of my allergy season.

Within 48 hours I began to experience itchy, swollen fingers, and the symptoms progressed to severe, relentless itching all over my scalp, underarms, and nether regions. I would also experience sporadic bouts of itching on my arms, legs, and back. My doctor advised me to get back on the Zyrtec and try slowly weaning myself off. This seems to be working, somewhat--I am down to a 1/4 tablet every couple of days, but I still experience random bouts of itching skin in the aforementioned places.

Again, let me reiterate: I have never in my life had any type of skin allergy, sensitivity, or issues with itchy skin. Never in 31 years. So they cannot tell me the Zyrtec was "suppressing" something that was already there, because that is, frankly, a load of crap. The drug manufacturer needs to do some seriously extensive studies on this drug, because it has physiological side-effects and addictive properties which are NOT being disclosed publicly. Ask anyone who knows me, I am not quick to anger; but this whole situation makes me irate. We, the consumer, trust government agencies and drug companies to NOT give us medicines that will end up doing more harm than good. In this case, having read so many online testimonials, I am beginning to think they're willfully ignoring this side-effect in favor of continued profits.

I am itching like crazy since taking my last Zyrtec-D pill 2 days ago. I have never had this reaction after taking any other allergy medication. At the extreme, I have applied cold packs to the worst areas to get some relief. I feel like a drug-addict having withdrawal symptoms. I re-read the Zyrtec package and it says nothing about having these symptoms after ceasing the medication. The itching is severe enough to make me want to go back on Zyrtec to make it stop, but I won't. Instead, I am taking Claritin to see if it helps.

Dr. recommended (after Xyzal caused similar problems - and both meds caused sore throat, stuffy ears, indigestion and swollen, itchy fingers) taking a 1/10th dosage of Children's Liquid so I could take it regularly. I did so, and after 5 - 6 days became nearly incontinent. Actually wet my pants somewhat on 3 different occasions - none of these while at home! Would feel the need to urinate and had approximately 15 seconds to on the toilet. After stopping the med (approx. 10 days), symptoms began to clear and disappeared after approx. 2 weeks.

I am wondering first how this person is sure they are taking only 1.25 mg of Zyrtec since it only comes in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets (including the generic and store brands, as the active Cetirizine HCl), unless they are taking the liquid form which is in mg/mL, and the dose better controlled by the volume of oral solution taken

By the information submitted, if the allergic reaction appears once the medication is stopped, it indicates that Zyrtec is suppressing the allergic reaction as it should. But after 8 months of hives and severe itching, I would contact a doctor to see what the underlying cause is. (This is also stated on the label.) The bottle/packaging label or Zyrtec website will also have a list of side effects from taking the medication.

Also, anyone who is has any type of allergic reaction to any medication should always contact a doctor. They can also contact the phone number on the bottle to reach the manufacturer to report adverse reactions or contact the FDA's Medwatch service or hotline to report reactions.

I actually take Zyrtec 10 mg myself and do find it does work quite well. I have 'quit' using it at times for several weeks when I did not need an anti-histamine, being a year-round allergy sufferer. I can make you drowsy within the first 1-2 hours after taking it, so I tend to take it at night when I need to take it during allergy flare ups.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional so the information should not be taken as such. I do work for manufacturer of a 'generic' or 'store brand' versions of Zyrtec, sold under the active of Cetirizine HCl, and have no affiliation with Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries, the current manufacturer/marketing company of Zyrtec.

It's dangerous and needs to be investigated. Warnings should be on the label regarding withdrawal symptoms.