Itching Withdrawal From Cetirizine Or Zyrtec (Page 3)

I want to know how many are suffering from withdrawal from this drug that causes itching all over the body. At the people's pharmacy there is an article about this very problem, yet Zyrtec doesn't list the information on their web site. This is my third attempt to get off of this med and I'm going crazy from the itching.

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ive come to belive that they put the iching in zyrtec to keep you on it so ypu can't just stop taking it its a big money making pill

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I really want to wean myself off, however I am terrified of the itching pain. I have been taking the generic (same ingredients as zyrtec) for about 7 years now and zyrtec for 3 years prior. Until I found this information, I thought I was taking it to control my histamines -- which was causing me to itch. Since taking the zyrtec relieved the itching (caused by my histamines being out of whack and the extreme dry climate), I didn't think the zyrtec was causing the itching. I am really still confused. How did you figure out it was the zyrtec causing the itching and not the reason you started taking it in the first place?

Also, how are you able to work at all during the weaning process. I guess I need to know how I will cope if put my fears on the back burner. Should I expect to develop soars all over during this process. I am afraid of the pain and I am 98% convinced that I cannot do it. However, I really, really want to do it, I am just terrified. If I go more than an hour into the itch mode I freak out. I count my generic zyrtec to make sure I don't run out. My concern of taking this stemmed from the fact that I know I can't take this for another 20-30 years (because its effectiveness is starting to wear off (I have to take it more often now). This is what prompted me to find something else i could do, and that is how I stumbled onto all of this information about zyrtec (and the generic) being the bigger issue, I had NO IDEA. I will check back to see your responses.

Terrified, Itchy and Confused in NV.

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Hi Amy,
I am 4 weeks clean of this beast. I'm fine now.
Here's what you need to do:
Start to wean
Start taking D-hist
Start acupunture for itching and anxiety
(Zyrtek causes anxiety issues as well)
You will get through it.
When you do the above, the only thing you need in addition is to not itch the itch. Don't touch it and it goes away In a few seconds.
You can do this. I did. I went from 40 mg/day ( drs orders) to nothing.
You can stop. You must. There are alternatives. Just get the D-hist. NOT the D-hist D.
Good luck. It's worth it.
Beth

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yes, I agree you can do it......it took me 8 days of itching from head to toe.....yes, try not to scratch, it will go away important when it starts to try to distract yourself. I went cold turkey after 8 years. Now itching has stopped. I started taking it for severe allergies, itchy eyes, throat and sneezing etc....now that's back full force. I am so afraid to take anything for it, but it's pretty unbearable. I have appt Monday for allergy testing, will see what the allergist has to say. Good luck with this, you can do it.......you are correct you do begin to build up a tolerance to it, best to get off it now.

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I feel for you. I am now at 3 weeks today off of zyrtec. I still have terrible itching, but I went to an allergy center yesterday and I am going wheat and gluten free and I am sure that is going to relieve the itching. I started to take allergy meds because of itching, nothing like i have experienced with this horrible withdrawal. the doctor told me that zyrtex has the worst withdrawal and allegra is the most mild and you should not have the same symtoms with that drug. I only wish i had known that 5yrs ago.I heard it takes 3 weeks so I am really hoping I am coming to the end of this nightmare. Best of luck to all of you and don't give in to this drug.

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It the sixth day for me without Zyrtec. The first four days, I had the intolerable itching, but it has subsided greatly today and yesterday.

All I have done differently for these two days are (1) drinking coconut water, diluted in filtered water, and (2) taking a probiotic tablet.

I don't know if these things are helping me, or if the itching is just wearing off on its own. I took Zyrtec (cetirizine) for about four years. I was not taking it for skin allergies in the first place. I was taking it for pollen, etc. (environmental) allergies.

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Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I am going to try, starting now, to not take it the cetirizine. I will not scratch.

The D-Hist looks like it is for nasal and sinus? The main reason I started taking the cetirizine is because I started itching out of control suddenly the first winter I moved to CO and then later (now) NV, both very dry climates. The Dr. told me my histamines were out of whack. So will the D-Hist help to lessen the itching or is it for sinus allergies?

I will start the weaning process (will be looking into getting the accupuncture for itching and anxiety - thanks for that). I will report back on how i am doing (unbearable, crying or tolerable to make it to another day).

Thank you very much for your suggestions and support. It really helps to know that you all have made it through!!!

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So i've been off zyrtec now for three weeks only occassional itching. Met with allergist this week and is suggesting that i have allergy shots once a week and take allegra only as needed. Does anyone know of any side effects from doing this? I don't want to make the same mistake. Thanks

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Hi everyone,

Wow! I really had no idea what I was in for by taking zyrtec. I started taking it about 45 days ago, and ran out last weekend, so I've been off about 5 days. The itching and mild rash started a couple days ago, but I too experienced depression and weight gain, and mild anxiety. Now it makes sense. My allegries are really bad now, and zyrtec did a really good job of handling those, but I can see the side effects are too severe to have stayed on it. Thank you for all your stories! Best, m

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I have been suffering with Chronic Urticaria and now have also developed Ageodema. I am recently getting over an awful cold and chest infection and the Urticaria has become very generalised. I woke with a swollen lip and swollen closed eye and my throat seemed a little tight.
I am taking cetirizine 10mg 3 times a day and now i have to start taking singulair tonight. If this does not dappen the immune system down I will be on steroids again from tomorrow.
Previously I was on Fexafenadine and this made my heart race to the point that i could hear palpitations in my ears. I have had several blood tests done and they show borderline thyroid which is not being treated at the moment. Also very anemic and deficient in B12. Therefore i am taking supplements. There is no other cause that I can think of for the Urticaria other than having a 3 in one flu jab on the 31/12/2010 and being in hospital 8 days later with Angeodema of the Tonge.
So I am trying Green Tea today and will also be purchasing Vitamin D as this is supposed to help the Immune system. If anyone wants to discuss any issues relating to the above then email me direct as well.
Thankyou for reading this.
Kind regards Jen.

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Hi Jen,
Please, please go see an Integrative Medicine group. Please. There is a cause for your Urticaria. I too had this. 6 different doctors, 4 trips to ERs. I was taking 13 different antihistamines a day. Guess what? It was just masking the problem.
After 14 months of nonsense, I finally met with a doctor tht had answers. With a few small changes to my diet, perfect supplements, I am now hive free and med free. I have never felt so great.
You need to take charge of your health. Western medicine is not the long term solution you are looking for. GO INTEGRATIVE!!!
Best of luck,
Beth

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As a child I had very severe asthma living in the northeast requiring frequent hospital visits. After treatment for desencitation and a surgical proceedure snipping the Arnolds Nerve I basically considered myself cured........no more attacks! I was allergic to just about everything from dust,plants, animals, molds.........you name it!
I went along 30 some years without any asthma attacks having lived in the northeast and the northwest. I retired an decided no more winters.........moved to Florida, which my doctor has informed me is an allergy suffers worst mightmare! As soon as I moved here, I could feel a chest tightness consistant with my former bouts of severe asthma, eye watering, itching, sneezing and many other symptoms.
Decided to see a doctor who of course informed me that Florida is nothing more than a swamp with unknown amounts of allergens.......somethings blooming all the time! He also informed me you do not outgrow asthma and seemed suspicious of my past treatment. I can only say that I went from severe asthma to no asthma.......the prominent doctor wouldn't be so prominent if his patients weren't seeing results!
Now this new fellow in Florida decides I need Zyrtec at 10mg daily............have been doing it for about 3 years now. I noticed several things..................
First, if you miss a dose be prepared for immediate side effects, itching, leg jumps, sleep deprivation among others I have read online.
Secondly, I noticed that it only works well for a short period and then begins to fail at serving it's purpose. I was not really looking to start at 10mg and increase to some massive dose over a short period so I explained to my doctor that I felt the drug wasn't performing as well. His reply........."Then stop taking it".........no explanation as to how.........just cease using it.
Immediately the side effects began, the itching the most annoting. My itching usually gets worst in the evening..........starts in my toes like athletes foot, then travels slowly up my legs into the no show zone which can be pretty embarrising if out in public! Then I get a little bit of itching on my stomach area and then it seems to jump right out to my fingers again, like athletes foot and slowly moves up my arms to my neck and head.............all the time driving me insane!
It appears to me, this was another "rush to market let's grab those billions" kind of deal! I have read hundreds if not thousands of the very same complaints however, I don't find adequate warnings on the label informing patients of these side effects????? Maybe it would have hindered sales........who knows??? We live in America, the 21st century, where corporate profits supercede any intelligence of the non existant kind!

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I was prescribed this last fall for seasonal nasal allergies, and continued to take it throughout the spring since I usually suffer then as well. I was on 10mg/day. About 2 weeks ago I started skipping a day, and all still was OK. But I took my last one Saturday, and I've been itching like mad the last 3 days. Otherwise I feel fine, as I usually do in the summer.

I love the way it works, but if I manage to stay off it, I will not go back on it. I'll go back to whatever they had me on the year before, I need to go look that up.

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After stopping Zyrtec and experiencing the itching associated with withdrawl, I spoke with my pharmacist looking for a solution. His advice was to ignore anything you find posted on the internet and discuss the problems with your doctor. Your doctor can best treat you and has the knowledge required to weigh out any options consistant with your personal medical profile. He also said most antihistimines are now available OTC and that in his experience, Allegra and Singulair were the two most commonly prescribed however, there are many available to which they each have their own pros and cons.
I pointed out that I had read several online articles suggesting 1000mg of Vitamin C to help subside the itching to which he felt there was no medical evidence he had heard of supporting that theory! He also felt the online articles have hidden agendas many times and suggested it's not a good place for medical advice!

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I am glad that I found this site. I have been off from Zyrtec for one week. The itch still there but it is lesser now. I hope that I will be back to normal after two weeks cold turkey. Another week to go...

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Success - Finally, no more itching! Yippy! It took 7 months to disappear (Oct 2011 to May 2012) though I only took Zyrtec for one week. I only itched in my wrist and that was bad enough. But it was a very painful, deep, stabbing, electrified, aching itch. I can't even imagine what the rest of you are going through. If you scroll back, I did postings #10, #13 and #35. Good luck!

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Previous post 53

So for a week I halved my 5mg, then quartered for a week, then quit this past Tuesday (the 26th)
The itching is still there, but now as bad as when I just stopped from the full 5mg. Itching was bad yesterday, but has not been a problem yet today, so maybe the worst is over.
My doctor finally got back to me yesterday and agreed that dosing down is the best way to go if you have this side effect.
Your mileage may vary.
Good Luck!
JHBZP

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I meant to say "NOT as bad"

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I have the same intense itching when trying to get off Zyrtec as well. I used it last year and then stopped after the spring. Intense, maddening itch started within 24 hrs after stopping. I had these little pin prick dots that were itching like crazy. So then I went back on Zyrtec and it went away maybe within the hour. I figured out I need to taper off so it's not such a shock not having it in my system. I have always taken the liquigels. When I tapered I got the generic liquid kind, the one for kids. I did 5 ml for a few days, maybe a week. Then 2.5 ml everyday, then half of that, etc. It got better after 2 weeks. But I agree that this medicine is terrible. However I started up on it again this spring because Claritin doesn't really work for me and neither does Allegra. I plan on tapering off again. I hope I can find something to relieve my allergies next year. It's terrible and Zyrtec works well in helping me breathe but at the same time it's a nightmare to get off. I also noticed having bouts of depression while on it and also clumps of hair falling out. Anyone else have noticed losing hair?

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Hey all...ive just spent the past hour reading all of your posts and i feel like my eyes have been opened. Ive done many searches over the years for this exact kind of problem and this is the first message board of actually helpful info ive come across.

Ive been taking generic branded Cetirizine hydrochloride for 14 years now and have experienced the extreme itching many times.

I was originally prescribed Cetrizine because of very itchy skin in 1998 when i was 18 years old. It had been getting worse slowly over a year long period and a visit to my local doctor advised i had unusually high histamine levels and a basic 10mg anti-histamine would help. Itching was gone within 24 hours of taking the tablet and the doctor advised that taking them long term would not damage my health.

Over the next 8 years only a few times did i go 24 to 48 hours without taking my tablets as i hadn't stocked up in advance. In that period of time the itching would get worse and worse so i simply thought my original problem had worsened with age. As soon as i took my tablet the itching would go so i was happy.

In 2006 i decided i was sick of taking tablets, i literally thought that i was slowly poisoning my body by having to take a pill every day. I went cold turkey and lasted 5 days... i cannot describe the living hell i plunged myself into. Nothing i did stopped the itching which felt like knives stabbing me from head to toe. I simply thought my original problem from when i was 18 had worsened with age. I took a Cetirizine pill and within 30 mins the itching was gone. Absolutely crazy.

Following this traumatic episode I spoke to several doctor's at my local surgery and all of them seemed confused and offered no real solution other than to keep taking the tables for the rest of my life. One doctor said i should be thankful my body hadn't become immune to them. I agreed that i thought i was lucky and so carried on taking my tablets.

Reading all of your posts here has made me really question how reliable a GP truly is, certainly in the UK anyway! I believe the crazy itching i suffered in 2006 was this withdrawal everyone has been discussing here. I may still have some kind of skin allergy but there must be a better way of dealing with it than this.

All of your stories have truly made me believe that coming off this drug is the right thing to do. Ill be planning ahead for it, and better preparing myself this time though. Reducing the dosage and slowly substituting for a less powerful variation will be my next course of action.

Thank you all for your inspiring posts.

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