Itching Withdrawal From Cetirizine Or Zyrtec (Page 30)

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.

REPLY

REPORT

I have posted and followed these threads for a few years. I've posted this before and this will be the last time I give my resolution to this poison Zyrtec. I went to a neurologist because no other doctors could help me with the chronic itching. So I thought he was crazy, but what else could I do but roll my eyes then try. Much to my surprise it worked. After being addicted to Zyrtec for many years; I am now free from it and have been for about 4 months. He had me start on Mega GLA and Omega 3. The Life Extension brand was about the only one that didn't cause me to burp that fishy smell (yuk). I got mine on Amazon. Anyway he had me take these as indicated on the bottle for 1 week before going cold turkey off the Zyrtec (to get the Omega and GLA in my system before dropping the Zyrtec. I still take both Omega and GLA because it's good for me and it also lowered my cholesterol (who knew?). This might not work for everyone, but it did for me. Good luck and keep your head up, there is a way to be itch free. I'll never take any form of Zyrtec ever again!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

Yes me too. I only took half a tablet every 2nd night. I was able to reduce that to one quarter every second night. Am down to an eighth nut find I need it every night. Am stuck at this point. Have just started taking quercetin and hope it helps

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Try skipping a night and instead, take a children's chewable benadryl.. that was what needed to do once I was down to a crumb everyday.. slowly start using Benadryl tab when needed at night. It took me about a month and a half to two months two get off Zyrtec completely and no longer needed Benadryl either. Still would have itching spells occasionally but Zyrtec free finally!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

But why would you want to suffer through ripping the Band-Aid off and have your body goes through horrible itching withdrawals when you can get off Zyrtec gradually in about the same amount of time with little to no major suffering? Just wondering.... it seems like a lot to go through and a lot of unnecessary suffering the way you attempted it?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Thank you for posting your success story, Denise! I've been struggling with Zyrtec withdrawal since January (when I stopped taking Zyrtec w/o realizing you had to taper off). In May, I finally figured out it was the lack of Zyrtec that was making me crazy -- racing heart, anxiety, elevated bp, feeling jittery and unbelievable itchiness. I'm down to a quarter tab a day, but today I took an Omega 3 and I feel even better. Now, I'm looking forward to being able to get off this evil drug even sooner! Your post helped! :-)

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I need help getting off Zertic!! I keep trying but the itching is unbearable

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm so happy for you. It's a real struggle but you can do this. Just keep taking both Omega GLA and the Omega 3 every day. It also helps to lower your BP and bad cholesterol levels.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've been on it for years, I've always noticed when I miss a dise I itch like crazy. Never thought it was an addiction because I had similar symptoms before starting to take it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Same here. The reason I was prescribed it in the first place was because I started getting random itching for no reason. I can't even determine if I get itchy when I stop taking it because of the drug addiction, or because of my original problem...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

0n my 5th day, the itching goes from one spot to another. Even while taking it, which has been a few years now, I have had itching spells at times. I thought I was getting other allergies from foods. I was told by my doctor, that there was no side effects.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

As I've mentioned I took ceterizene for 15 years!!! I gave it up last year and it took a week or so to get off it....don't give up in your attempt to stop taking it , I know the itching is intense but it will subside, take a natural antihistamine whilst coming off it too as it may help. Good luck all...Peter

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

My doctor wrote me a script for Zoloft because of anxiety and depression. I got very itchy from Lexapro. My son got hives from Zoloft. Am I more likely to develop hives since we are in the same blood line? I have a lot of medicine sensitivity.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Wow! So happy I found this forum. Been on cetirizine (Reactine brand )10 mg for about 3-4 years. Stopped cold turkey 5 days ago approximately cause I became concerned it might be causing my weight gain, regardless of exercise cutting out desserts it was slowly creeping up.

I am experiencing the terrible itching for the 4th day all over even in my ears and on my head. I have to refrain from scratching too much as it leaves broken blood vessels under my skin.

I am so determined to stop that I don't care about the itching. I just want off this stuff.

Thank you to all who shared their experience online. Helps to know that you are not alone

REPLY

Was this helpful? 5

made me gain weight too when i stopped
and itching scalp = hair falling out

Went back on to stop the itching
weight won't drop off even though I started taking it again.
Hair growing back though
I want OFF THIS POISON!!!

My doc no help: gave me a "prescription" for Zyrtec to help.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Actually I think it caused my weight gain so I will see if coming off it results in weight loss. It's only been about 5-6 days and my appetite has decreased but maybe that's because I am not sleeping much due to the burning and itching.

Yesterday it felt like whatever was happening to my body reached my brain, causing weird sensations and now the interior of my nose is prickly.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I am experiencing horrible itching. Can't find any remedies online...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thank you for the advice. I started taking Fish Oil today (that's all I had on hand), while I wait for the Omega 3/6/9 (Omega 3 and GLA) to arrive. Hope it helps!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

2 nights ago I was in hell! Extreme itching and heat/burning sensation. Decided to go back on MSM and added Zinc, Evening Primrose, Fish oil and Vitamin C yesterday. Drank a lot more water. Bought Gold Bond body lotion Green bottle with menthol which really helps!!!!

Today is much much better. And after about a week with no Cetirizine I am pleased to report that when I weighed myself this morning I lost 4.2 pounds. This is not water weight loss since I drank so much water and jasmine tea yesterday and even went to an all you can eat restaurant for lunch. My weight has slowly been increasing even with exercise and removing desserts from my diet.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

The problem I see with all the herbal remedies and such:

I tried all the suggestions for a year.
I spent SO MUCH MONEY!!!
And it did not go away.

This can become extremely expensive. And might
also result in no results!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

See post 497. It is possible to get off this poison that ironically helps allergy symptoms temporarily but then causes increased sensitivity to allergens, asthma, unbearable itching, and hives in so many. I have been Zyrtec free over six months. I am 10 pounds lighter, my seasonal allergies are so mild that I take nothing for them, and my adult onset asthma is no more...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

I had taken generic Zyrtec for years and decided to stop many months ago. I had no withdrawal symptoms when I stopped un...

2 REPLIES

Only side effect I'm having is crazy itching from head to toe. On gabapentin 300mg 2xs a day for 4 months due to ner...

9 REPLIES

I am a 55 year old man, and I have been going to a Pain Management facility for lower back pain and now even chronic Ost...

44 REPLIES

Cheapest source for loose tablets, not in blister packs ## I'm sorry, but this site does not manufacture, nor sell a...

1 REPLY

I have got hey fever and started these tablets today. how long will it take for them to work. ## I hope you look up Zyrt...

2 REPLIES

I am trying to wean off of gabapentin, but the worst part is the itching, and the crazy restlessness at night. I’m...

5 REPLIES

Because Hydracodone has just changed to a Schedule II med, by father's doc is switching all patients to Tyl 3. My co...

4 REPLIES

I have been in pain management for years, lost my doctor along with other patients, and primary won't fill or says s...

299 REPLIES

I started taking Gabapentin 300mg x 3 daily on May 13,015 for severe shingles pain in my ear, mouth and face. June 16,20...

10 REPLIES

I'm very nervous, i am currently taking 8mg of hydromorphone and 30 mg of oxycontin a day and might have to have a s...

2 REPLIES