Itching from Cetirizine Withdrawal

There's really no need to continue on the rollercoaster of these drugs with their inherent side effects. There are plenty of natural antihistamines / decongestants -- like oolong tea, stinging nettles (in tea or capsules) and quercetin-bromelain (which you could also make yourself from apples / onions / pineapple). Or just make sure your diet is high in foods like that. Oil of oregano is also a terrific supplement for these conditions -- Solaray makes a softgel that also includes olive oil so digestive upsets are minimized.

And you could also try bee pollen, which works for some. In that case it helps if the bees are from your general area to take care of the allergies from those plants. I'm not saying you should never take OTC drugs, but just be aware that they tend to suppress symptoms and often have avoidable side effects. Limit your consumption of cow's milk and grains (especially wheat) and this will also help any sinus condition. And finally, try one of those neti pots (with a little salt water) but just don't use it too often or it may be counter-productive.

Could someone please tell me if the itching was accompanied by hives? Thanks.

The first time I dropped a drug and went into itching withdrawal, I saw a dermatologist who gave me a steroid cream. It took a while, but it worked. Next time, after a course of antibiotics, I tried lidocaine 5% ointment, it worked too, with none of the consequences of a steroid. Remember tho the steroid is topical, it does get absorbed, in part, thru the skin. They have their place, like on my knee, but not all over my body, and not internally, for an itch. After the itch is gone, I would suggest a good body cream to prevent return, by preventing dry skin.

I do believe in the use of steroids for acute cases or chronic conditions that are also acute. Not because the steroid is healthy in itself, but because it is the only thing that does help.

And there are a lot of natural fixes for sinus and allergy problems, though this is the first time I have heard you can overuse a neti pot.

I too have had a miserable three weeks of uncontrollable after stopping Zyrtec. I took it only for a few weeks to help with a tree pollen allergy. I had taken Claritin in past years and had no such withdrawal issues.

My physician was unaware of the withdrawal symptoms.

I noticed in the blog that someone asked about hives. I have had them regularly since I stopped taking the drug. They are random and accompany the itching.

Also, I have some symptoms of BPH and the withdrawal from the drug has aggravated that problem also.

I will not touch Zyrtec again and I think that these issues need to be related to the makers of Zyrtec, as it should be included with the drug.

I have been on cetirizine for approximately 7 years if not more. I saw my GP last week to change as the cetirizine was no longer working on my allergies. Since then I have slept only for about 12 hours (in six days), a nauseous feeling in my stomach with dizziness, stomach cramps, a permanent knot in my stomach, shivers, tremors and sweats, I am worried about itching starting now.

The good news is that I am less fuzzy in my head even though I am tired, my bladder control is back and I seem to be losing some of the 3/4 stones I have gained since taking the drug. Today I took half a tablet just to function. Having read that one reader has tried to get off it for 7 years I feel like slitting my throat as I am 60 years old already and probably don't have 7 years to waste!

This was very helpful. I had to go off of Zyrtec for 7 days to have some allergy testing. I have been itching all over my body. I have also had sweats and an upset stomach. I am 50 years old and first thought it was related to menopause. I hope that after the testing they can find something other than Zyrtec to help my allergy symptoms.

I stopped taking cetrazine about 3 days ago after using it daily for nearly 10 years. Unexplained itching mostly in my upper body including my scalp and eyes started. I stopped because I think my immune system got used to it and didn't seem to help anymore.

Nothing changed environmentally for me to explain it. The only difference was coming off of cetrizine. So I "Googled" "withdrawal symptoms of cetrazine".

Thanks a bunch. Now I know I'm not alone.

I'm a 67 year old male in good health. Today is day four and the itching is subsiding.

Useful? I give it 5

I have been taking cetirizine for hayfever for years, loratidine didn't seem to work for my symptoms. I had excellent relief from my symptoms but had immense drowsiness. Now I am trying to wean myself off cetirizine by taking half the dose on alternate days but like others am having intense itch.

Really wish I had never started this drug in the first place. Should have on the label to avoid long term use.

Zyrtec is the bane of my existence. I started taking it due to some food sensitivities and it kept me coming back for more for 3 years as I kept blaming it on food. It was very hard to quit.

I recently took it again in very small doses for a 2 week period and bam, 3 days off it I itch just as bad as I remember.

This time I'm off it for good.

Does anyone know if the active ingredient for Zyrtec is used in food at all?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: IT IS NOT USED IN FOOD.

Sites like these are helpful to me so I will add my story. My four year old daughter was put on Zyrtec three years ago for her allergies and eczema. She took it sporadically for the first two years. I now believe that some of her worst flare ups over this these first two years were zyrtec withdrawal.

For the past year she has taken it every day until three weeks ago. I began researching Zyrtec withdrawal symptoms a couple of months ago and then finally got the courage to get her off the medicine. I reduced her dose for two weeks. She has been off it cold turkey for the last 5 days. She has had some of the same kinds of little bumps I saw at other times but they have been manageable. I am so relieved to have her off the drug. Her nasal symptoms are actually better and I hope the little bumps will soon be gone for good.

I believe her allergies are in part due to to her liver not being able to function properly. Zyrtec is processed by the liver. I am not a doctor but it seems to me that Taking this drug would overwork the liver even more. I am excited to see how her allergies/eczema play out in the Zyrtec free days ahead.

Update that I have been free off cetirizine for just over 3 weeks, still getting occasional but manageable itches. I will never take a cetirizne again. Good luck to you all.

I'd been using the dirt-cheap generic Zyrtec for about two years. When I ran out a week ago I only worried the worst that could happen was getting my stuffy nose back. So when I broke out into an itchy rash on my arms and chest a day or two later, I thought it was some bizarre new food allergy. What else could it be! On day 3 I was up at 4am in the morning with itchy skin and could not get back to sleep.

It was only on day 4 without Zyrtec, when my hands… even my palms, were maddeningly itchy, did I wonder if I was experiencing a withdrawal from Zyrtec. Maybe there is a histamine rebound.

So I looked up Zyrtec withdrawal. I did not expect to find so many others having the same experiences. I always thought Zyrtec was harmless… a better alternative to Claritin which at the recommended dosage is barely better than a placebo.

Now that I know I'm not alone it's a rather scandalous indictment of the FDA's methods of approving drugs. Does the FDA ever require new drugs be tested for more than a few months to study the long term effects… or of sudden withdrawal? Why aren't there warnings on this drug? There are warnings should one get an allergic skin reaction while ON the drug… not if one's body has essentially become addicted to it, and there are skin rashes from it withdrawal.

This is now day 6 or 7 and I'm still itchy as hell. Part of me is tempted to get some more cetirizine and do a tapered withdrawal, but I'll be damned if I risk going back on this medication.

Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! I feel so much better just knowing I'm not nuts! I've been taking Zyrtec for allergies daily for about two years. I ran out of it last Thursday and haven't had time to get more. The itching, nausea, insomnia and anxiety I've been experiencing scared the heck out of me. Now that I know there's an end in sight, I'll tough it out and never take the stuff again. I never thought twice about it because it's over the counter -- I wish I had known what it was doing to my body.

Yes, hives are involved. That's my biggest symptom. I'm on day 12 and I hear that day 15 is the magic day when it gets better.

I had been taking Zyrtec for over ten years and decided it was no longer effective. when I stopped cold turkey, the itching all over my body was unbearable. So I "googled" and found several people experiencing the same problem. I decided on a step down process over the course of three months. It is now day 12 since last zyrtec dosage of any kind and the itching is much less. Itching was at its peak on days 5 and 6. Hopefully the end of the itching is near and I will NEVER take another zyrtec!! Good Luck to all.

Zyrtec isn't the only one. I've was on Allegra for 12 years and did what everyone else did, discontinued temporarily for an allergy screening. Within 24 hours my head started itching, then my eyes, followed by my face, neck, ears and by the end of the third day, my whole body was so miserable I couldn't sleep without sleeping medication and the days were so awful I was almost near tears and extremely irritable. After the screening I discovered I didn't have any allergies, wondered why I was still on the Allegra and asked if I could just quit taking it.

The Doc said sure, nothing would happen, he didn't know why I was so itchy. Five days into the itching I went over any and all changes in in the last five days and the only thing that had changed was the discontinuation of the Allegra. So I took one. All symptoms were gone within two hours! It has taken me two years to slowly dial down my intake to no Allegra but I cannot get off another low dose pill I take for the withdrawal symptoms of itching. I take these every two or three days.

Hi I've been taking zyrtec for 2 years for my asthma. Itake it about twice a week, it does help my pollen issues etc. and does give me a calming feeling, however, in so happy to find this info as at 45 I have been having itchy skin too and a hot feeling. I thought it was the menopause but the itching only seems to happen when I go 5 days or more without the drug. I do think that this is the reason for my itchiness, I am going to come off this drug slowly. I will take half, then a quarter and so on. I can't believe this as I've had this problem for 8 months, I hope its not additable;

This site is very helpful, do you put any over counter cream to manage the itch?

I tried several OTC creams for itching with no relief at all.

Thank goodness for this site... I am a healthy 38 yr old. I had been taking Benadryl, only at night, for 6 years. Sure enough, when I weaned myself off if, the torturous itching started. Scalp, legs, arms, back, stomach, feet... the whole body!

I would even scream, it's so bad. Even when I would put on clothes or shoes, those areas would begin to itch. And of course, I had given in and taken more benadryl to relieve the itching. Yes, red bumps and lines would form where I would scratch. Went to the allergist and even brought up the possibility of benadryl withdrawal, he said no and said it was dermagraphism, due to stress!!

He put me on Zyrtec and told me to take it for 2 months then wean off... now I am worse off, I take it every other day and like clockwork, 48 hours later, the itching starts. Like needles...So I'm trying to wean off with taking half a tablet, every other day now of Allegra and going back to see him to explain my findings online and see what I can take to wean and I will never take another antihistamine again!! Pure hell

This is so helpful, I stopped Zyrtec about 5 days ago now, and started itching all over after day 3. I wish I'd known about the withdrawals when I'd started taking it 4 years ago!! Can anyone tell me, how long does the itching last?

Thanks!

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: FROM WHAT WE HAVE SEEN, IF YOU CAN STICK IT OUT FOR TWO OR THREE WEEKS, YOU'LL BE OKAY.

Wow, I am on day 10 trying to get off of using generic zyrtec after at least a decade of use and I have been itching like crazy! I've been racking my brain trying to figure out why I'm so itchy and was about to schedule a drs apt tomorrow.... decided to go on line this evening (also can't sleep well) thanks for the info! I'll try to stick it out and see if it goes away soon.

like many people here I arrived through Google after several attempts to stop taking zyrtec.... now I know I have to stick it out... and I WILL get off it!
Itchy red chest, neck, scalp, hands... insomnia, irritability, dizziness... it's all here!
I thought it was allergy symptoms coming back or psychosomatic... thank you so much.

Hey guys I have been on OTC antihistamines taking them every other day for almost 10 years in order to combat an extreme itching that occurs all over the body, I have tried the Drs. dermatologist and they say that some people just have them and they have to settle for taking antihistamines forever. I have tried a naturopathic approach with quercetin and it was ineffective but due to the info I see here it sounds like the itching is due to the withdrawal symptoms of the antihistamine.

I will attempt to try this weaning method as some of you have but I was curious at to whether any of you have completely stopped taking antihistamines to this day since you stopped? Has it worked so to speak? thanx

I also have experienced the horrible withdrawal symptom of uncontrollable itching. My hands, my face, my head, my arms... all seemed to be upper body issues. The itching commenced on or about the 3rd day after I stopped taking the generic form of Zyrtec, known as Cetirizine. I simply cannot believe that this was no noted on any study that was completed.

Lo and behold, I took the pill last evening (I always took my pill at bedtime) and when I woke up... no itching anywhere. How can I "safely" stop taking a pill when the withdrawal is horrendous and doesn't seem to stop.

The longest I have tried to stay off the pill was 8 days and believe me when I say those 8 days were extremely difficult to say the least. I am sitting at my desk at work and I cannot stop the constant scratching... people at work must think I have some sort of skin lice. Does anyone have a solution that does not include seeing another doctor or taking yet another pill???

What a mess this has been! I am so thankful for this information! Like many of you, I have taken zyrtec for 10 plus years and decided to stop. I have never experienced extreme itching over my entire body except for when I had chicken pox as a child. I am trying the step down approach by halving and now quartering the pill for 3 weeks. I am praying that this method will rid me of this drug for good.

I am on day 9 off of zyrtec after the step down approach. I have found that Eucerin and Aveeno creames for eczema to take away the immediate "pins and needles" feeling that I get with itching has helped. My overall itching is better, but not gone. Can't wait to this to be over for good.

update: could not go "cold turkey" but I have now been taking half a zirtec for 10 days and there are no adverse effects, apart from a bit of insomnia... hopefully by scaling down I can avoid the dreaded itch!

I am doing the step down method , I took a half a tablet (5mg) for a week and now I am on a quarter tablet and have been doing that for about 2 weeks, right now I am itching but I have like a rash on different areas of my body, kind of like a welt of some sort. I wish I knew for sure this is a withdrawal symptom because mine almost looks like mosquito bites. I decided to go off of it trying to rid myself of as many meds as I can and do natural remedies. Oh yes, feels like tiny prickly needles are going on with my legs and arms sometimes worse than others. anyone else ?

I had to stop taking cetrizine hydrochloride (generic Zirtec) when I was pregnant last year. From what I remember I stopped itching after 2-3 weeks. I have had to stop taking it again a couple of days ago so thought I would Google antihistamine withdrawal and am so glad this itching I am experiencing is normal when you stop taking the tablets. This is something doctors should be become aware of so they can advise their patients properly.

If anyone is interested, my allergies are so bad that I went back on ceterizine... the next day my itching almost completely disappeared. I agree that this is a side effect that needs to be brought in the open... thanks to those who have suggested and tried the taper method of getting off the pill... when my time comes this is what I would try and now recommend... Good luck everyone.

OMG! I am so glad I found this! I have been taking Zyrtec at night for 4 years. I just recently ran out and I am itching like crazy! I automatically assumed that it was my allergies flaring back up, but now that I see these posts I realize I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I REALLY hope that the 15 day rule is true! I am getting married in 3 weeks and I don't want to spend my honeymoon scratching away! Has anyone found any creams or natural remedies that help with the itching?!

I've just come off cetirizine after 3 years. Ive not had itching yet but this is only my 2nd day, however I'm experiencing headaches and am having bad sweats and dizziness, anybody with the same?

Hi KLM, I read your comment regarding Zyrtec withdrawal and the second half of your message sound like what I'm going through now.

3 months ago I had a hive like rash, my doc said take it for a few months and slowly take less as you need it.... !! did taking 1/2 tablet work have you been able to withdraw from it?

Jo

Any of you folks who tried it early this year, did it work? I would really like to hear your feedback as it would help thousands including myself.

Shame on those companies who will do anything to make us keep buying their products.

I have taken Zyrtec for over a decade, mostly to control eczema itching. Found a cure to my eczema, went off Zyrtec 2 days ago and I am itching all over (no eczema) and have insomnia.

I am going to try the cold turkey method of quitting first, but I am asking.....

If I tried BENEDRYL, a different type of antihistamine, for the Zyrtec itch would this delayed with withdrawal process since I am replacing one antihistamine with another?

Did anyone try BENEDRYL?

I always had bad allergies and sinus infections. I've taken allegra-d and zyrtec-d but never long term til this past year. I thought I was going crazy trying to figure out what the hell is causing all this itching, anxiety, heart palpitations, insomnia, agitation, depression, headaches, nightmares, vivid dreams. All this out if no where. I had about 6 sinus infections since Dec. 2010. Just had a cat-scan yesterday and still have infection in my sinuses.

Almost went out to buy mire generic Zyrtec -D. Thank god I didn't. I was fed up so I researched and can't believe all this I'm reading about Zyrtec Withdrawal! I was taking Zyrtec -D 2x a day for my sinus infections/allergies more on than off for over a year. I hadn't taking the Zyrtec for a week or 2 but did take a few Allegra D this week and benadryl.

The itching isn't as bad now but the anxiety is torture along with the insomnia, bad dreams, etc. I have enough stress right now and need to take a decongestant for my chronic sinus infections. My ENT is going to be letting me know if I need sinus surgery tomm. when he gets my cat-scan films.

When I itched it was crazy unbearable, painful. Mostly my feet and hands. The itching was very internal too. I have scabs from itching so much! We need to get this info out to the mass public/local media ASAP! I've read that many people have reported Zyrtec and it's w/ds to the FDA and the pharmaceutical company and they gave done anything about it and its been years!!! I'm Soo frustrated! It's 230am and I'm itchy, awake and anxiety. Help! Does anyone know anything new? Or have my symptoms???? Desperate!:(

RRRRRrrrr I'm day 3 off Cetirizine and my body all of it is itching like crazy I also have hives and welts which are really sore and also swelling of feet and hands which comes and goes. I have been on this drug for about 2 years and only took 1 10mg tablet each night to control various allergies, I wish I had known about the withdraw symptoms I may have thought twice about taking it.

Well I'm glad the reaction I'm having seems very normal (which is scary) and by the sounds of things I just have twelve more day's to go here's counting!...
I'm clucking for Cetirizine can you believe it the temptation to take it to stop the itching is so strong but at some point I have to give this stuff up.
Do I have the will power?.....
BR Jane

I took 5 mg. (half a tablet) of Zyrtec every day for about three years. I used it to combat the itchiness that accompanied an immune system issue I have. I started to feel that it may have been causing sinus problems, so I stopped about a week ago. At the moment, my hands and feet itch terribly. It is mild during the day, but in the later afternoon it heats up.

I also have had a few hives pop up here and there. I will stay off the medication and wait it out. I am concerned that the itchiness on the hands and feet are neuro related rather than skin related. If I had known about this issue, I never would have used Zyrtec.

I took 10 mg of Zytec everyday for the last 15 years. Quit cold turkey about 12 days ago. Itching was bad for the first week of so and has almost completely subsided. As Zyrtec is a big histamine suppressor, I think that is where the itch comes from--not nuero. Many people have had the itch go away completely after about 3 weeks, so if it was nuero, that wouldn't happen, so don't worry.

After taking Zyrtec in the generic form for 3+ yrs, took my last one last Wednesday due to allergy testing. By Saturday, I had intense itching on mostly the palms of my hands and my scalp. Occasionally elsewhere. I've been going nuts wondering why until I found this site. I will never take this again and hope this subsides soon. Seeing an allergy Doc today and wondering what he'll say about this.

I am sure he/she will give you some other form of allergy med... I too had the issues with my hands, scalp and face... the itching felt like something crawling on me... I am still on the generic as nothing works on my allergies as well as ceterizine... will stop someday... but not without something to take care of the withdrawal symptoms... good luck.

I have to take Cetirizin for about 8 month (extreme pollinosis) yearly since 2003 and noticed itching, when I stopped it for first autumn. Since then, same procedure every year! Itching like crazy, hands, feet, head, being excited, stressed, sleepless. It always starts about 48-72 hours after and lasts up to 21 days. But then torture really stops regularly. Its very hard to endure, thats the problem. No Doc did believe it - cause they don't find those stuff in literature. And me, I won't ever believe, how people tend to "forget" to notice all of that in their medication-descriptions...

I tried once to get off Allegra and the itching started. I ran out of it a few days ago and started itching again. As soon as I started taking it the itching got better but hasn't completely disappeared after 36 hours. I thought about weaning myself off but it sounds like a long process.I think I'll check with the dermatologist first.

How did it go? Are you off of cetrizine? I am planning on stopping. Been taking it for 9 months and am ready to come off.

Ive been off of zyrtec for a little over a month and I've been fine for about 2 weeks. Thank God b/c that was Hell!

I am so thankful for finally looking up this information. I have suspected for awhile that my itchiness was related to not taking my Zyrtec and now I know. I am going to try to do a step down and get off it. It helps to know that I am not going nuts. I have went through extensive testing to try to find out what is causing the unusual aches and sleeplessness I am experiencing, I am now wondering if it isn't related to the medication as well. I miss a day and start itch intensely and feel really anxious. Since I have a very calm personality this was very alarming. I now have a goal of getting off the zyrtec, I will find some alternative for the allergy season. I have been taking it for about 10 years.

It's been 3 weeks today since I had my last dose of citrazine. Itching hasn't gone away but I'm hoping it will in the next few days, maybe another week. Will keep you guys updated.. scratch scratch :(

I have been Zyrtec free for 1 week now. The itching comes and goes. It is pretty unbearable when I do itch. I will keep you updated. I pray this ends soon.

I've been going through the same thing. The itching has been so bad that I asked a friend of mine who is a ER doctor if there was anything that could help w/ the itching besides Benadryl which has been making me sleepy or actually getting a prescription for steroids. He suggest I take Zantac which seemed odd to me since it's for acid reflux, but see the info I found below. And it does seem to be taking the edge off for me. Hope this helps someone.

Oh and BTW, I had the same withdrawal going off of Claritin as well. My friend said that it's because the antihistamine has been blocking my receptors for so long and now they're wide open and overly sensitive so it will take a while for my body to adjust. So it is very likely that if you have this reaction from Zyrtec that you will also have the same reaction after long term use of any other antihistamine.

Ranitidine, the generic name for Zantac, is a H2 histamine blocker used for the prevention and treatment of GastroEsophageal Reflux disease (GERD) or Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD). It is commonly used as first line treatment for this complaint and may be used with other anti-GERD medications, including proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole.

H2 blockers are sometimes also used in the adjuvant treatment of severe allergic reactions, in addition to diphenhydramine, epinephrine, and corticosteroids.

Ranitidine belongs to a class of medications, the H2 blockers. Other medications in this class include famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), and cimetidine (Tagamet).

I think I did something stupid. Well I've been off zyrtec d for over a month. I have always had severe allergy and sinus problems. Just got off 3 weeks of antibiotics for chronic sinus infection. I have been have Severe Nasal/ sinus allergies -
and had to get something to take the day before thanksgiving. So I've been taking zyrtec d since. Took last one last night. And now, tonight I'm have some mild itching all over. Hope u didn't start this all over again! Has anyone done this? This sucks!:(

Where possible, use ice packs on the areas with the intense itching. My worst itching is on my feet and this is really helping me this time. Previously I have actually drawn blood scratching at the intense itch.

I've taken Zyrtec for more than 20 years due to severe allergies. Each time I've had a sinus infection, my doctor has said "stop the antihistamine or the infection will not clear." My response was "I can't tolerate the itching."

When a sinus infection in September, that did not clear but subsided enough that I thought it was gone, resulted in severe bronchitis and asthma in late November, I realized I HAD to get off the antihistamine.

I'm on a second round of antibiotics. I stopped the Zyrtec on Dec. 1st and took 25mg of Benadryl about every 12 hours until the afternoon of Dec. 3rd. I haven't had any antihistamine since then and the itching is close to unbearable. I read on another site that Vitamin C would help the itching. I'm determined to stay off the antihistamine because the sinus infection will not clear as long as I'm continuing to take it. I don't understand why the makers of Zyrtec don't have anything about this itching in their literature.

To Trish R.
I am curious to know about why the antihistamine is causing the sinus infection not go away. I am on my 3 round of antibiotics since Sept. For the same sinus infection. Ive been having chronic ones since last December. Been seeing an ENT since Sept. Was just on Ceftin for 3 weeks and allergies and sinus infection came back bad 2 weeks later. Now I'm on levaquin for 2 weeks. I guess I shouldn't take zyrtec or any antihistamine since you doc said it won't make it go away. Id like to know why. I also just found out I gave a deviated septum and messed up turbinates. Thanks!

To Michelle Z.
My doctor, who is a Board certified allergist and internal medicine doctor, explained it like this: when I have an infection in my sinuses, the mucous is thick and colored (usually yellow). The antihistamine, a mucous DRYING medicine, causes the mucous to dry. In order to clear out the infection in the sinuses, the mucous must be thinned (by something like Mucinex) and lots of water. Then, the antibiotic can work on clearing out the infection.

Before I found my current allergist, I went to several different ENT doctors. None of them told me to stop the antihistamine while on antibiotics. Hence, I had chronic sinus infections for years. As I stated in my previous posting, I suffered intense itching every time I went more than 48 hours without antihistamine. I didn't know (until I found this website) that withdrawal from Zyrtec causes intense itching.

I discussed the itching with my allergist on Monday and, like most doctors when talking about specific medicines, he would not directly say anything negative about Zyrtec. However, he recommended I come in for a shot of Kenalog to help decrease the stuffiness in my sinuses.

As for the ENT doctor saying you have a deviated septum, etc., I recommend you get another opinion. My experience has been that ENT doctors sometimes do unnecessary sinus surgery.

Didn't realize they wew side effects until I went off it for allergy testing. Lethargy, weight gain, bloating, aches all over, reduced libido. I am in day 4 of withdrawal and it is so severe I cannot even begin to express. As someone with lifetime itching...hives..eczema I have never had anything like this. Everywhere... not hives or eczema but this horrible internal itch. Scalp, face, lips, down throat, ears, down yonder, hands and feet terribly and then spreading everywhere else.

When I finally went online there are thousands and thousands of blogs by people saying the same thing. They say they can't get off it and many resume due to the extreme discomfort. Some say it takes weeks or months to withdraw. But only 4 days in and going absolutely nuts I can say that the bloating has stopped.. the aches are gone!!! I have been like a 90 year old progressively over the last 2 years and the weight is dropping off although my diet is the same. The itching though is so severe and lack of sleep am hoping I can make it through withdrawal but I have to!!!!

I took Zyrtec for 4 months this summer. In September I stopped taking it and experienced severe itching for about 4-5 weeks. Went to the allegist but he didn't think Zyrtec was the cause of itching. Now I get rashes/hives when I exercise or feel cold. Have an appointment with the DR. tomorrow but don't expect any help. Has anyone else experience hives/rashes??

I was taking generic version of Zyrtec for 10 years. I'm on day 4 of being off of antihistamine. Yesterday I thought I was going to scratch the skin off off my feet and hands, today it is my scalp and midriff. I took some ibuprofen last night and it did help me sleep. I have also had some mild nausea. I'm not sure I can stand waiting three weeks for these symptoms to stop. I don't think I can do the step down method. I'd rather get it over with.

Have been taking zyrtec ever since seldane was taken off the market for severe body itch. I had the itch FIRST! was given seldane (worked but stomuch issues although not to severe) then zyrtec-and then switched to generic citirizine. I feel comfortable with taking citirizine as I remember how bad it was before I started taking the antihistamines.

I am coming up on 60 years old and am noticing that the "itch" is starting to come back AFTER being put on minocycline for Rosacea on forehead and under my right eye. I have no idea as to whether or not the minocycline caused a interaction with the citerizine and I stopped the minocycline but the itching is still with me and I still take the citirizine!! I wish I had never taken the minocycline. Hoping soon the mino clears out so the citirizine can be effective (about 95% effective against body itch before I took the mino). ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE WHO HAS TAKEN THIS COMBO AND HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM? IF SO HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT BEFORE I GET BACK TO 95% EFFECTIVENESS FROM CITIRIZINE.

Thanks every one for these helpful comments .

I have been taking cetrazine for 6 months now. 3 weeks ago I was taking 10 mg daily and I stopped it for 4 days for the allergy skin test, and the test revealed that I am allergic to dust mites (common in feather pillows which I was using at the time). I was itching like crazy....

Since then I'm taking 5 mg and I changed all the bellow and bed covers ... now I'm 48 hours off Cetirizine and guess what? The itching is much much better....

The issues that it its not clear wither the itching is related to the Cetirizine withdrawal or to the primary diagnosis (Eczema or chronic urticaria ...ETC) ...

What I suggest to you guys to change bed cover, avoid the environmental allergens if known.. change the detergent the you use for clothes washing... try to change what ever touch your body on daily bases....

When weaning gradually wean by 5 mg every week till reach 2.5 mg daily then make it 2.5 mg every other day then quit and make like PRN like twice a week for a month then stop it completely ...(this is similar to the weaning plan of steroid)

I will keep you updated about my symptoms to tell you if this strategy will be helpful or not ..

Nasser

I am experiencing itching due to getting off Benadryl. I am on day 6 and it seems to be getting better but, still itching all over.

Like many of you I started taking Zyrtec two years ago for itching. I was taking 10 mg everyday. In the last year I have been down to 10 mg every other day. I am now weaning myself off of it. Per my doctor's advice, I am now taking 5 mg of Claritin every other day for the next two weeks. After that I will prolong the amount of days in between and switch to 2.5 mg for another two weeks until I go off of it. I tried to go cold turkey, but by day 4 the itching was unbearable. I know I will itch even with this step down method, but hopefully it will not be as bad. Has anyone been successful getting off Zytrec by switching to Claritin and then stepping down? Was the itching less severe?

I've been taking cetirizine for 6 years and Ive had to stop taking it for an allergy test. I'm at day 3 of no use, and today my entire body is itchy and hot. Last night I woke up drenched in sweat. This site has helped me regain a little of my sanity, thanks!

I can relate to so many stories on this site. I have tried to quit Zyrtec several times and I experience intense itchiness unlike anything I've ever felt before. I can feel the histamine just going bonkers underneath my skin, and of course the scratching brings it all to the surface and I experience uncomfortable welts. I would love to go without this drug for a few days in order to have allergy testing done, but I honestly don't know if I can do it. I wonder if taking Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra, or some other drug for awhile would help in the meantime.

I created a group on Facebook entitled "Kicking the Big Z" for anyone who would like to talk about a plan for getting off of this drug. I would love to talk to other people who are going through the same thing and come up with an action plan for living life without dependency.

I too have been suffering the effect of going off zyrtec and benadryl. The most awful itching one can imagine. I have been living in a fog from these 2 meds for 7 years. I am addicted due to the withdrawal affects. Itching out of control. I see on here everybody complaining about this but no one is responding to how they made it thru or if they ever did at all.

I been doing a lot of research about cures for the itching hives and can only find one reasonable choice to try. That is organic apple cider vinegar. Taking 2 tsp and a bit of water and drinking this 3 times a day. This is going to be my next venture along with baby oil, witch hazel and gold bond lotion to help ease the itch. I will update you in 2 weeks or less.

Like so many people on this site, I suffered from chronic itch every time I stopped taking Zyrtec. I would just go back on the medication because I thought my hives were acting up again. The itching was so bad I would be in tears!

I was determined to go off the med so I did the following step down method and it worked. Initially, I was on 10mg zyrtec every other day for a little over two years. From there, I took 5mg Claritin every other night for one month. Then I started taking 5 mg Claritin every 3 days for a month and then every 4 days, etc., until I no longer take any antihistimine medication.

I took me about 2 and a half months to go off of it. I still get a little itching every now and again, but nothing too bad. Hope this helps you guys.

I am on hour 84 Zyrtec Free! Mine was the 5mg off brand type. I am having itching but mine is of the joints. Hands, knees, fingers, toes. I did have a bout with hives this a.m. while exercising. I only got them on my stomach. The worst of the itching seems to come when I exert the above joints. And it is like a wave. If I relax, try (Pray) ignore the itch it passes. It seems if I could stay relaxed it wouldn't be an issue but obviously that is impossible. One very odd itch that I think is the most frustrating is the armpits. WOO WEE! That is hard to ignore but I divert my attention and trudge on thru. I do not know if this is going to get worse with each passing day but I will keep you notified.

Never had my liver enzymes tested but could it be that the Zrytec does cause elevated liver enzymes WHICH DOES CAUSE itching while the antihistamine suppresses the itching thus creating itchiness when you take the antihistamine away. The withdrawal is actually your liver getting back to normal levels????????????????????????? Just a thought. :)

Thank you so much for your comments and advice, im so glad this site is available for people like me to read! my daughter has just found out she is 5 weeks pregnant and she must stop taking ceterizine. she is now on day 3 and going crazy with her itching. This cant be good for stress levels and the baby. I'm appalled that this isnt highlighted on the literature that we receive in with the medication.

has anyone been in touch with the manufactures of this drug???? i do think i will !! i will of course let you good people know of what they have to say, unless someone can tell me they have tried.

my daughter is in tears with the withdrawl of this drug all the time we thought when she didnt take it it was her allergy kicking in when actually it would seem it was the withdrawl of this medication.

can anyone say if there doctor made them aware of the withdrawl from this medication??? i have read there is a facebook on this from this site (thank you) i will refer to it.

once again thank people for your info and anyone who finds themselves in the same situation of being with child theres nothing only cream and certain ones at that. good luck x

Okay, so I've been on generic Zyrtec for over two years now and I recently (January 25, 2012) had to stop taking it for seven days so I could take an allergy test for Penicillin. I was so itchy I scratched myself until my skin bled but I was determined to take the Penicillin allergy test. Somehow (maybe by the Grace of God) I got through it and I am now itch free. Today is February 5, 2012. I will NEVER take Zyrtec again.

I am so glad I stumbled across this! I started taking Ceterizine about 3yrs ago for hayfever, mostly sneezing a lot & frequent random sore throats.If I miss 1-3 days I get the wicked itches. I am having a huge struggle losing weight & I just found out the other day that anti-histamines could be interfering with that.

My doctor never said anything about withdrawal symptoms when he prescribed them or I would probably have not started on them.

I am just so glad to know that the itching is a fairly common & not a rare side effect that could be something really serious.

I have two things to say to all of you with the itching:
(1) Try turning on a hair blow dryer and holding it about 1/2 inch away from where it itches. Hold it there for at least 20 to 30 seconds or so. Doesn't that feel better? Hot showers are no good because they only dry your skin out and intensify itch.

(2) Instead of cetirizine, I had been taking levocetirizine, which the pharmacist had explained as the "left side" of the antihistamine. Zyrtec/cetirizine contains both "dextro"/right side and "levo"/left side of the antihistamine. He said the body only takes up/uses the "left side." The brand name for the the levocetirizine that I have been using is Xyzal, which usually helped relieve the intense sneezing and oversensitive nose/runny nose. I did not take it consistently because I did not want my body to get used to it.

Like many of you, I have been completely off of it the past seven days for allergy retesting tomorrow. I HAVE EXPERIENCED NO ITCHING WHATSOEVER. It might be the dextro part of the thing that causes the itching when use is reduced or stopped.

In summary - try a blow dryer for itching (which I had discovered when I had poison ivy some years ago), and don't take Zyrtec; try Xyzal/levocetirizine, and try not to use it every single day. Best to all.

I just went on the fda.gov website and under "consumers" you will find a link where you can make a complaint. I suggest that everyone suffering from these symptoms, do the same. I may take about 1/2 hour but is well worth it if it can make a difference on the product labeling or help someone. I had to check off all the boxes that didn't pertain to my complaint in order to submit my form but did put a comment in the notes about it. I strongly urge you all to take the time and do this.

I'm in my early 60's and until 5 years ago had no problems what so ever. Then over a period of about a year I started to itch. Mostly my forearms which I finished up scratching so much that I damaged my skin enough to get scabs on the deeper scratches.

Despite trying to find the issue, e.g. changing everything that touched my skin and trying to be gluten and dairy free the intense itch went on. Until I had a sudden improvement, I realized that I had not eaten any fresh or in fact any food that contained tomatoes for about 4 days.

I had eaten tomatoes most days, mostly fresh or as a base or ingredient in many meals most of my life. Tomato Paste, Sauce, Chutney, Pickle, Soup, not many savory foods don't included tomato in one form or another.

Immediately I received total relief if I did not eat any form tomato.

Wonderful... but shortly after this I found that I started to suffer from a hay fever like problem, that continued all year round, sneezing and running nose being the worst problem.

For sometime I used nasal sprays, with quite good results. I read above someone said about sprays. My G.P. advised me not to use them long term as they can do major nasal damage.

So I went down the antihistamine route on his advise. Over the past about 3 years I have regularly changed brands. My G.P. advised I keep changing to avoid my system rejecting or becoming desensitized to any particular formulation of antihistamines.

That takes me to today, the above history is to just let some of you know that may be like me while you have been taking antihistamines you just may have developed a sensitivity to something else. For example TOMATOES I had never heard of Tomatoes being a problem until it happened to me. Yes I had a rash and welts as well, mostly on my arms. Young people get this allergy as well, not just oldies.

Anyway back to today. I have been off all fresh tomato and tomato base foods for sometime and stopped the antihistamines 5 days ago.

Why stop? Antihistamines, any over the counter, had not been working for me for what seems like years. So even on them I was suffering from itchy ears, general itchy skin, itchy tongue, scalp etc. also and more worrying fluid retention in my hands and wrists. (They have never helped with the tomato allergy) A couple of times I had missed taking the tablets for a day or two and had noticed that my wrists became much slimmer. I feel that if I have fluid like that in my wrists and hands what is happening in the rest of my body.

This fluid build up IS directly related to the medication. Only three days after stopping I had a big improvement.

Without the antihistamines I am more itchy, over all body, worst being my scalp and tongue, although oddly the inside of my ears are not as bad as when taking sometimes. Also I have sort of a strange prickling in different areas almost as if major changes are taking place in my skin/body as well as all over body aches and pains.

But my nose has almost stopped running and I am not sneezing anything like I have in the last couple years, so far anyway. As this was the very reason I started taking it in the first place, its all been a bit pointless. Not to mention the cost of it over the years.

After reading the above posts for the first time today as I was concerned about the way these drugs affected me, I just had to post my overly long story, in the hope it will help one or two of you.

I will never go back on an antihistamine unless it is a matter of life an death. It may have been the death of me to continue taking them I'm wondering? Although an older person I am otherwise super fit. :)

Will follow up in weeks to come.

I wrote on 02/08/2012.

The next day I got retested for allergy. My body reacted to NONE of the 68 allergens the doctor tested me for. He suggested I spray over-the-counter Nasalcrom into my nose when I feel my nose becoming extremely sensitive/on the verge of huge sneezes and water-like discharge dripping out. I like this Nasalcrom, which is NOT a steroid. It is sodium based. It does reduce my nose's hypersensitivity.

Also, an occasional aspirin helps reduce the inflammation in my nose which decreases the sensitivity as well.

Since I reacted to NONE of the 68 allergens, I have decided to avoid antihistamine for as long as I can. And strangely, I am not sneezing or dripping as much as I was in the seven days of antihistamine withdrawal in preparation for the allergy testing.

Fran, thanks for all your info regarding tomato.

I googled for itching hands a few moments ago. That led be to a blog with people discussing their symptoms, and there was a suggestion that Zyrtec withdrawal could be the cause. Lo and behold I stopped taking my daily Cetirizine a few days ago, (trying to clear up a sinus infection, like some others here) and I've started having itching on my feet, hands, and the top/back of my head.

I'm going to try weaning myself from it slowly.

I have dropped my dose to a half tablet everyday & no real itching so far. I am trying to lower my dose of Venlafaxine (antidepressant) at the same time so doing them both very slowly. Another few days & I will drop to 1/4 tablet for a week, then 1/4 tablet alternate days. Hopefully after that I can drop it completely without too much itching.

I hope the plan works well for you, Sherie.

Thank you, it's going well so far (cross fingers). I did my pill box for the next 7 days last night & did half a tablet each day, I will drop it to 1/4 next week.
I have been sneezing a bit but no itching. I do know what I am missing & I am so grateful that my plan is working.

I took cetirizine for about three years and stopped abruptly last summer. I began itching all over. I have been going to a dermatoligist ever since. I was treated for scabies and used permethrin cream three times and ivermectin twice. Nothing helped.

As a last resort, the dermatologist told me to use to Cerave cream and cetirizine. Within two days the itching stopped. My niece, who is an MD told me today that I had went though withdrawal and then got into an itch and scratch phase.

Thank goodness, I think the problem is solved. I was beginning to think that I would never get any relief. If I have to, I'll take cetrirzine for the rest of my life to keep from itching.

One should never say never should they. As I only managed to stay free for about 6 days. My problem was not itching but my digestive system becoming rather sensitive/unsettled, found that a couple of days worth of cetrizine and all OK. I hope I can maintain taking only as when urgently required rather than daily. No way do I want to have fluid retention again. Does anyone else find taking settles their gut?

I had this problem for 2 years now and I was taking antihistamine (Alaspan) once every day. Every time I stop taking it, my body use to start itching the next day (within 48 hours). The itching start from palms and reach face and head. It gets serious and reaches back of my head and I get blood with pimple kind of swellings.
Now I have stopped taking medication for 8 days, but still suffering to control the pain. My palms are not itching any more, but my head, chest, stomach are itching heavily.
Could some one tell me how many days will it take for me to come into peace.. I am really dying here.

I have dropped my dose to a 1/4 for this week & still no mad itching. I think I will go to 1/4 every second day next week & then drop it completely. I hope that my experience of weaning off it so slowly helps someone else to succeed too.

I have been taking antihistamine (similar to piriton) for a few years, I have really bad Hay fever and I have allergies to dust so I am constantly sneezing and now I am worried if I have become addicted to the medicine. The days I do not take the antihistamine I can not sleep, last night I only got less then 2h sleep and my the inside of my throat/ears was itching like mad. Has anyone else had the same problem?

R u still off? And how long did it take for all the itching to subside?
Thanks

Well...... I got the itches last night.It took at least 3-4 days after I stopped taking any & the itching was really annoying but not enough to drive me mad (although I didn't sleep well). I am pleased I slowly tapered off before dropping it completely.

I'm so thankful for this site and have been off of Cetirizine for 3 days now (after taking it for over 3 years). I'm still itching a bit but not as bad and will be posting a video on YouTube as soon as it totally clears up. What's been helping me is; Aloe Vera Gel, Gold Bond Ultimate skin therapy cream (w/ chamomile or healing w/ aloe) natural soap (that includes olive oil and chamomile), tea (chamomile) and wearing lose clothes. It's hard but I just deal with it and do mind over matter and before you know it the gel and cream starts to kick in. I keep them close by as the itching comes back from time to time, but over all I feel better. Also, I noitce that a cool towel can aid too. I just wanted to encourage everyone!

Hi all
I have had hives since October (believed they were caused by a medication reaction)
was put on hydroxyzine (cetirizine relative)but that was making me drowsy. Was then put on citirizine and that controlled my symptoms for a while. I stopped taking it when it was causing ++ side effects. Oh boy.... am I ever in H*** now! I can't explain the horrible itch and deep nerve pain I am experiencing.

I have been to an allergist as well as my family doc - both are unsure of what is causing these symptoms. Thank goodness for this site! I was starting to think I was going mad!

My theory: Drug reaction caused initial hives, citirizine caused recurring hives and other symptoms or body just didn't 'reset' after first reaction, withdrawal causing my body to revolt.
Just a guess.
Will let you know if I find anything that helps.
Good luck everyone :)

Thank you for the update. Most of the comments here are what is wrong and how bad it is. I totally agree with the symptoms that everybody is having. When I read all of these it was if I wrote them. I'm having exactly the same problem. But no one has come up with a good solution yet and has been able to say that they have no more itching or side effects anymore and it's been 2 or 3 weeks or whatever. So I like your feed back. Keep us posted. I cant go more than 3 days and then I cave because it itches so bad.
Thanks again

No problem and I will do! Also wear loose fit clothes if you can, that really helps too.

I'm glad this site exists. I had an itchy scalp almost everyday on citrizine, now I have an itchier scalp trying to get off of it. I also feel very hyper at night, with my heart racing. I take an herbal sleeping pill to help with that. I tried some calendula lotion, aloe vera gel for the itching. I think the next thing will be apple cider vinegar and a baking soda paste.

I'm trying to decrease my allergies by food rotation and avoiding my most allergenic foods like corn, soy, wheat and dairy. Also nasal cleansing helps by doing it 2x per day.

Update:
I now on Hydroxyquine and prednisone on the advice of my allergist. Major reduction in the pain and swelling of the hives (they were starting to bleed!)
less than 2 wks left of the predisone and may have to take hydroxyquine longer (can cause eye damage so eye tests every 6 months essential... but I'm desperate!)
So far it has been sweet relief - allergist says this 'should' re-set my system and hopefully control the insane burning itch and recurring hives (original problem)
Will keep you posted on progress
E.

Hi,
You posted that you had been zyrtec free for 3 weeks. Can you tell me how long you itched for? Rashes? Was the first week the worst? I am crrently trying to wean off of the drug. I have been taking it for 1 year. I am done. I no longer need it. I am hoping that I have not done permanent damage to myself. Please let me know the details.
Scratch, scratch,
BH

How did the withdrawl of the zyrtec go? Are you free from the anxiety and itching?

Sherie,
Were you successful? No one is posting whether they were successful and free and clear form this mess. I really need some encouragement. I am weaning down too. Currently on 5mg/daily. Am going to start 5mg every other day tomorrow for a week then 2.5 mg every other day then 2.5 every third day and then done.
I could use some words of encouragement.

BH

Update day 7 of not taking zyrtec. Less scalp and random itching. Although I did visit my acupuncturist yesterday. Less anxiety on day 5. I was able to sleep better that night without relaxing herbs (revitalizing sleep formula and kava kava).
SBL

Hi All,
I am currently weaning, down to 1/2 pill every other day (5mg). I hope to drop to every third day *2 then stop. I am going to try accupunture and herbs to get me through. I will keep you posted.
Note: On the nights I don't take this drug, I feel so good the next morning. On the nights I do take it, I feel awful the next morning. Anxious, tired and bloated. No itching yet but I am sure it's coming.
BH

Hello everyone,

I have been on cetrizine last 7 months or so to come off a skin allergy I caught up at Ladakh, on and off trying various other treatments including Ayurveda ...never knowing that the medicine itself as turned out to be the host of all my sorrows..
God bless who ever started this post.. and I have just given up on the medicine.. it has been just 3 days after my last dose... where ever the skin is touched or strained there starts a wild itching...

All I want to say is that I am resolute on giving this termite up... and a little word of worthy advise for y'all ... resist scratching yourself and it gets a lot better.
The moment you touch or scratch that portion it stimulates like an untamed network calling for constant attention.

I tried soaking myself in Bath salt with Glycerine in warm water...it really helps soothe the itchy feeling. My motto is do not touch those bumpy welts and cetrizine...dont let these rule your mind and body...
trust yourself.. and they will go away..

Good luck to all of us

I had some welts & I thought they were to do with this. I have been really lucky coming off citerizene, not too much scratching & not the sort that drives you bonkers.

I have been taking Zyrtec for years and would stop taking it periodically and then develop terrible headaches which I attributed to my allergies flaring up so I'd start taking the Zyrtec again and like magic, I'd be better.

I had a blood allergy test last year and was surprised to see that many of my former allergies were barely present in testing anymore. Stopped taking Zyrtec and BAM, headaches were back so I assumed the allergies were still there enough to bother me. Now I had to stop taking Zyrtec 3 days ago to prepare for allergy testing and this entire weekend has been AWFUL. Headache, dizziness, nausea, exhaustion... the works.

I haven't left the house or been able to function. I have to suffer through until my appointment tomorrow night but even after that I don't want to start the cycle of taking Zyrtec daily again because this withdrawal is horrible. Hopefully the allergist knows SOMETHING that will help get me through these symptoms of withdrawal... I can't take much more of this.

Tried everything.
Nothing works but prednisone - but did not cure initial hives.
Wish I had better news.
Good luck.

Day 3 without Z.  I am excited to be finally done.  Really.  Can’t wait.  I made a date on my calendar.  April 14th.  That is my celebration day.  I know that I am Z free on that day.
 
I have some itchies.  But totally tolerable.  I pray this is the worst of it.  All I know is that I want to be done.  And I will be.  I am.

Hello there. My son is on day 6 today. I need everyone's help as to what I can do for him. My son has autism with little language,and is going out of his mind. Imagine how bad it is for all of you, and you can talk!!! We are sooo mad that this can happen, as we were unaware of any withdrawal period when we put him on it. Please flood me with what helped all of you get some relief. This is just awful! I only know how he must feel from your reviews. We are using sinusalia(as a decongestant/antihistimine). It is also used for smoking withdrawal. Gold bonds, alovera, and chamamille tea. Epsom baths and lemon tea to get rid of zyrtec (detox). My heart breaks for him, as he deserves better, and has enough issue with his autism.
Please post back!
LRN
Thank you sooo much to all of you for your postings!
I wish all of you relief!

I am so grateful for this site. For the last few days I have been all over the internet reading story after story about withdrawal from Zyrtec. I have been going through hell. I started taking zyrtec over 3 years ago. I noticed last year that my sinuses have been getting worse and struggled with painful headaches and I even went to an ENT. I would take antibiotics but the symptoms would come back. I also had painful dry nostrils, nose bleeds and moments of dizziness while I was at work. I knew I had to stop the Z. Every time I would get to that 3rd day without it the itching would start and If I did not come across this site I would still assume that It is my allergies coming back.

I am now on day 4 or 5 and at 6am today I was in the ER. I was in tears with the intense itching, burning in my head, felt awful. The ER Doc, wanted me to go back on my allergy meds and I said no way. He put me on Steroids. I have only taken a few pills so far and I am feeling so much better. Take vit C 3000 mg a day and nettle tea. I know I will be back to myself in a day or 2 and I hope this helps. Please don't suffer. Go to your Doctor. This is Serious withdrawal and I feel like filing a class action law suit against company for failing to get us a fair warning. Good luck to all of you.
Denise

That's exactly why I don't want to be pregnant while taking this drug.

My last dose was Friday night (2.5mg). I weaned from 40mg originally. Today is Thursday and I have minimal itching. Here's what I have done:
Cut out all dairy
Cut out all gluten
Cut out refined sugar
Take Omega 3, vitamin D, and a multivitamin.
Take D-Hist!!!!! Herbal antihistamine with ZERO withdrawal and side effects!!!!
Acupuncture
Magnet therapy
Meditation
Lots of water
Lots of green tea
This all is hard and probably not recommended for a six year old. I am seeing an integrative medicine doctors group. You should look into something other than western medicine. I have and I am happier for it.
Hugs to you and your son. As a mother myself, I feel your pain and his. Hugs.

I have been on Zyrtec for more than 5 years for chronic allergies (I live in St. Louis, MO). Whenever I go to visit my fiance in Colombia, I decide to stop taking Zyrtec, as there is no pollen here, or cats (which I am allergic to but have as pets at home). Every time I miss a day or two of Zyrtec, I experience intense, excruciating itching on my inner and outer thighs and a bit on my upper arms. The more days that pass with no Zyrtec, the worse it gets.

I had thought maybe I was allergic to something in my fiance's house, or the mattress, but it seems that this is a common side effect of stopping Zyrtec. (Side note: I have a very similar response if I forget to take my daily dose of Zoloft, and the itching comes on about 5 hours after I should have taken the dose).

As soon as I move back home, I will gradually stop taking Zyrtec, as this is ridiculous!

I am in so much pain from scratching- and the itching is unbearable. I've stopped taking zyrtec (after being on it for YEARS). I need some relief. I'm angry that I had to come hear to find out what was wrong with me. Why is this not listed on the side effects???? :(

I too am glad that I am not the only one that has the itching crazies. This really sucks, my skin is crawling and I fear I am going to break skin if it doesn't let up.

I had a horrible bout of itchy palms, to the point where they formed into large blisters all over my palms and between my fingers, accompanied by hives all over. I went to numerous Dr.'s, (allergy, primary care, dermatology). The primary care and dermatologist put on prednasone for months and months. Horrible stuff, I know. I went to the allergist, and he told me to take generic zyrtec. It worked within 5 days. All hives were gone, but continued to have eczema on my legs and arms. I've been using it for months, and tried to go off of it as he suggested. Two days after stopping, I started with the hives and itchy palms.

So tired of everyone telling me they have no idea why it is happening. All tests have come back negative, not allergic to anything. I even had a biopsy of a hive done, came back inconclusive. Has anyone ever been to any other types of doctors that were helpful (rheumatoid, etc)?

To Art,
I too am a very allergic person. Even though a food doesn't test positive for allergies, it doesn't mean you're not allergic/sensitive to it. You might want to try an allergy elimination diet, to see if your hives go away.

In terms of a medical person to consult. If you don't like what your allergist has to say, then try a Natureopath (N.D). Most states do not cover them insurance wise, but well worth it, if you find a good one.
Good luck
Sharon

I'm happy to report back that I'm completely off Zyrtec and have been for two months. I had to taper off slowly over the course of four weeks, but it eventually worked. No more terrible itching, and no more Z. Nasalcrom is handling all of my allergy problems.

Guys!

just an update...
I have come off citrezine completely... there are certain mild show-ups here and there some days.. but that is much better that those horrifying withdrawal effects I went through 1 few weeks.

All the best in getting rid of this medicine

Btw pure alovera gel and lactocalamine application helps calming the skin rash when you are in the process of withdrawing the medicine.

Take care All and God Bless you a speedy freedom from this medicine