The past week I have been spending a lot of time researching cell biology. I am intrigued by what exactly happens to our cells while on Zyrtec that makes them so sensitive and reactive once we come off of it. It seems like I will have to do some very serious searching into the specific chemical make-up of Zyrtec to nail down a reactor. Though I am not a scientist (I have a music degree for God's sake!), I definitely have the motivation and interest to figure this thing out, no matter how many times I have to look up the medical terminology! The one down-side to reading up on this subject, as I'm sure all of you itchy people out there can understand, is that the more I read about the itching, the more I itch. It's a matter of focusing on it so much that it starts to happen. The old "distraction" technique doesn't help when you are educating yourself about the different types of hives! I got a great recommendation about another holistic remedy for itching, though, which gives me something tangible to do to ward off the itching: Oolong tea. According to a Japanese study done in 2001, drinking Oolong tea 3 times a day after meals was shown to have a very positive effect for sufferers of itching from eczema. Oolong tea is a Chinese tea that is somewhere between Green and Black tea. It is known for it's high amount of polyphenols- agents which banish free radicals in our skin. It's the tea that is usually served at Chinese restaurants in the lovely little pots! You can find it at health food stores (I found mine at my local Whole Foods), or most likely any Chinese grocery will have it as well. I have been drinking the tea for 3 days, and I do feel like it helps, if only to give me the emotional lift of feeling like I have something working for me. If I drink the tea while reading about the hives, it definitely helps! [Thanks to Moo for the great tip!]
Friday, September 14, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
69 comments:
I have been on Zyrtec for approximately 7 years. I decided to stop taking it this week in an attempt to become more drug free. I knew the itching would start, just as it has for the numerous other times I tried to stop. The difference is that now I know that the itching is from the withdrawals instead of another allergic reaction in my body. In the past, the itching always had me running back to Zyrtec, thinking it was the cure vs. the cause! Imagine my shock when I realized that what I thought was making me feel better was actually the cause of my discomfort! I am glad you are taking the time to look into it. Are there a lot of others out there with this same issue? Is there nothing we should be doing to stop this misinformation from Pfizer?
Thanks for your comment! I know there are many others out there... particularly on the website RxList.com in the message boards; all saying the exact same things you are! At this point, we need to get a solid amount of information about Zyrtec and why/how this happens, which I am focusing on now, and take it from there. Really, I am happy if more people like you realize that they are not alone!
My daughter(age 4) has been on Zyrtec for a little over a year. We stopped and she is itchy and has urine retention, both symptoms spike up at night. I am going to slowly lower her dose and try and get her off this medication. I could use an help or advice.
I loved zyrtec. I took it a few times a month for 5-years, if I knew I was going to be near a cat or something. About 14 months I moved to TX and started taking it daily for post nasal drip. Two weeks ago I found out I was pregnant and had to quit all meds. Now I am itchy all over! I thought I was going crazy or it was the hormones. Thank God I found your website. I realize now, I am in zyrtec withdrawl!!!
Hi holly... sorry I missed your comment. But I'll answer you now. I can say that I have heard great things from people who have tried the stepping down technique. I will publish a post and ask for anyone's input on that. I went cold-turkey, which is frustrating to say the least, and may not be best for a child. But I do recommend lots of cool fluids, a great healing lotion, and Vick's Vaporub to curb the hot spots. It's best to try not to start scratching at all. Best of Luck to you!
I'm shocked! I've been on Zyrtec for years and have tried to quit but get so itchy that I scratch myself until I'm bleeding or bruised. How long does it take for this to go away? Does it ever go away? What about switching to a different antihistamine and then going off of that one? Does anyone have answers besides the tea - which I plan to try? I asked my doctor about this, and she said I was probably having allergy symptoms that was causing the itching. Has Pfizer responded to this at all?
Hi sssulliv! All of your questions are answered in full (with many comments) in the bulk of my blog, zyrtecwithdrawal.blogspot.com, just in case you reached this page in singular form. But in general... it typically takes around 14 days for the majority of the itching to end, and I definitely discourage taking ANY other anti-histamine during the itching period, as it only prolongs the agony. People have submitted many tips on how to make it through the itching, though it is a tough road. Pfizer has never acknowledged that this is a side-effect, so I am trying to get the word out to people like you!!! Good Luck to you!
Oh THANK YOU for building this! What a relief to hear I'm not crazy! I have not noticed any post mentioning how long the torture can be expected.....anyone? I loved my zyrtec for two years. I'm freaked about my addiction now--cold turkey due to pregancy.
Hi anonymous- glad you found the site as well. Please feel free to read the entire blog, as many people have made it through the itching, and explain their experiences in the comments section. These stories will definitely help you! For me, it took about 14-15 days for the itching to subside. Good Luck to you!
I was able to step away from Zyrtec by switching to Benedryl and then to Claritan.
After a short time with Claritan I was able to eliminate all meds through a very strict candida/gluten free diet. The Zyrtec withdrawal was torture. Whatever it did to me caused a dramatic change in my system so much so that I now have a terrible sensitivity to many, many foods.
I should also mention that by the time I stepped to the other antihistamines I had been taking Zyrtec Liquid for about two years at a dosage of .5ml~1ml per day. I thought I was doing better by using a dropper and just taking that minimum dose. Perhaps this is why I was able to step away from Zyrtec with the other drugs more easily, although it was anything but easy...
Amanda, do you happen to know if the length of time people take Zyrtec is related to how bad the withdrawal is? I've been on it for 5 months for hives, but have felt tired and depressed and fatigued and awful. I stopped taking it today and am just wondering if I'll have the same reaction your readers had.
Thanks,
Jane
Hi Jane- unfortunately, the time you've taken Zyrtec has no relation to how bad the withdrawal is. I have had readers who only took it for a few weeks who had just as strong of a reaction as I did, and I was on it for ten years. Hopefully you haven't gotten any side-effects so far! Good Luck!
Hi THANK GOD for YOU!! I have also had this horrendous (probably food chemicals related) condition for years - like 8..and I was told by an immunologist at $340 bucks that I had "Cholenergic uticaria", and that there was no understandable cause & the only cure was antihistimines...whence my introduction to the "Bad Boy - Zyrtec" (ie;makes me feel good at the time but is actually doing more damage than good)I researched to no avail for nearly a year now. Since I have gone through a pregnancy & breast fed for six months on half daily doses of the stuff.I hope to God that it has caused my daughter no permanent damage. i stumbled across the medication website and was horrified to see the extent of the side effects and withdrawals. I know now that it was passing through my breastmilk and responsible for my daughters angry moods!! As she has been a completely different child when I can hold out..(Agony:(, I am trying to cut down and would like more information on the step down method?I tried Claritin which made me feel stoned...and unwell. Alas my daughter will have to go on the bottle as I can't go cold turkey as am about to go on holidays...It should NOT be offered to breastfeeding mothers I can't believe it is offered...Anyways Thanks for your blog it makes me feel less alone and less like a freak..I will (after my holidays) be trying to follow the failsafe diet and get off the Evil Z. thanks Again!!!
Hi fifi72, I am so glad you found the site. I am glad you have shared about the effects on your daughter when you are on/off Zyrtec. No one has mentioned that before, but I believe it completely. As far as the step-down is concerned, it sounds like you may already be on the right track. Taking half-doses for awhile will lessen the effect. You then move to a quarter dose, then to no dose, if possible, by cutting your pills. This may take several weeks at each step! It is a trial and error process.Good Luck, and let us know how it goes!
I got off zyrtec by switching to claritin and benadryl, then a really weird problem of taking any pain meds, like advil, or aleve and I would break out in hives, then I would double up on benadryl to stop the swelling. I trying to get off all allege meds, but now I can't take pain meds, don't know how long it will take to get out of my system.
Hi anonymous- Your case is very interesting. I don't believe you were ever off the Zyrtec to begin with... Benedryl is too strong an anti-histamine; it just took over where the Zyrtec left off. (See my post from Dec. 13th) My advice would be to refrain from taking anti-histamines of any kind, and once you are weaned from them, there shouldn't be a reaction from any pain medications. Let us know how it goes!
I typically take antihistamines regularly but try to get off them whenever I feel like my allergies won't be too bad. Nearly every time I itch like crazy for a few days. I find taking one benadryl before bed helps a lot - it's a lower dose than my typical allergy meds so I think it helps me ween off it. A couple days of that and I'm fine. I think of it as a histamine release.... all that pent up histamine in my body goes crazy for a few days. The benadryl regulates the release from a flood to a stream. It's unpleasant but I don't believe it's really harmful long-term.
Hi Adam!
I am glad Benedryl works for you during your withdrawal! But on the contrary, using Benedryl was a definite hindrance to a successful withdrawal for me (as detailed in the blog). It effectively doubled my recovery time, prolonging the horrible itching. Therefore, I advocate a no-antihistamines plan during weaning.
Thanks for your comment!
It seems it has been a while since the blog has been updated, but I thought I would share my story. I had been on Zyrtec for a couple of years. I decided to try to go off of it and started itching within a day. At first I thought maybe it was allergies, but that didn't make sense because I never experienced itching before I went on Zyrtec. The itching continued and I began to think I was crazy until I found this blog. The suggestions were very helpful. My itching continued to be severe for a couple of weeks. The Vicks vapor rub was the only thing that got me through! I highly recommend it! After a couple of weeks the itching slowly but surely began to subside until one day I realized I had gone the whole day without itching! Quitting was absolutely worth it and I will never use it again!
Yay Kara! I love hearing stories like yours! Congrats for sticking it out.
I spend most of my time these days on the blog keeping track of comments and questions, since there isn't much new that can be said. But maybe some day soon we'll have a big break-through and there will be plenty of posts then!!
Thanks again!
OMG this is amazing! I had to stop taking Zyrtec for an allergist appointment and have been really puzzled/maddened by THE G*D D*MN ITCHING. I thought I was going crazy! So I finally googled "Zyrtec withdrawal" and found this at the top of the list! At least now I know I am not insane.
Hi Laurel! You are NOT crazy! Glad you found the site.
Thanks for setting up this blog. I too have been coming off antihistamines (loratdine - which is another name for Claritin) and have become itchy way beyond anything that I experienced with allergies. It is rather surprising that this is a withdrawal symptom of all things! I don't have the patience for feeling like I am one big mosquito bite so I plan to return to full doseage and then gradually wean myself off. Hope that will work better than cold turkey. This whole experience has me wondering about other effects of using this drug in the long term.
Hi Anonymous- glad you found the site! It is interesting to hear of people having the same side effects from Loratidine as well.
Check out the comments section of the post "A Plan" for some useful information about creating your own step-down (under the name "Leesa" particularly).
Good Luck! Let us know how it goes!
Zyrtec, Claritin and now you can add Allegra to your list. I've been taking Allegra for YEARS now and if I don't take it by the end of the day, I'm itching like a crazy person. The longest I've made it is 2 days. I told my dr. this and her response was, "don't quit taking it". Hmmm, time to find a new Dr.?? I'll try to find that tea and then try to go off it. I just hope I'll have skin left by the time it gets out of my system.
Hi Anonymous- that is interesting, I think you are the first person to mention having withdrawal from Allegra. Though it isn't surprising, all anti-histamines act the same way in our bodies. Good Luck- Let us know how it goes!
I too have intense itching if I miss Allegra for even one day. It took mea long time to realize that's what was causing the itching. My allergist said the same thing. Don't stop taking it. I thought I would wean myself off. Thanks for this site.
I too am SO glad I've found this site, even though I am itching while I read all these posts, I feel so much better that I know what is causing it! I have a question though, does anyone know if once I stop itching and figure out what my actual allergies are, if I then want to take an antihistamine once in a while to eat something I'm sensitive to, which one should I take, and will I go through withdrawal all over again if I just take one once in a while??? After the 4 days of itching I've been through already I feel like I will never take another antihistamine again, but know that that's not realistic.... any ideas/recommendations?
Hi Anonymous. What a great question. I belive that taking any anti-histamine, for any duration, could possibly unleash the itching once again. (My doctor actually mentioned that when something like this (allergic dermatitis) happens, it will likely be that way forever, though maybe not as extreme as the first time).But I understand your frustration at it lasting forever...
My suggestion would be to take it one day at a time. Find out what your allergies are and go from there. Do a test run of taking one pill if you have to. See how it works out. It will be different for everybody, and you just may be able to squeak through without any itching. If you do itch, maybe it will be bearable enough to enjoy foods/ triggers you are allergic to. If it isn't bearable, try to see a naturopathic doctor, or other over-the-counter remedies which may help relieve the trigger points enough to enjoy them without having to take a pill. There are many options. But no one clean answer.
The weaning is the toughest part. Get through that and you may have a different view of testing out any more anti-histamines! Good Luck! Let us know what you decide!
I've been on zyrtec for 10 years. every time I tried to switch to a more holistic approach for my allergies (like taking quercetin and stinging nettle), I'd start itching. I thought I was allergic to the herbs but since I always stopped my zyrtec when I started the herbs, so I didn't realize it was the withdrawal that was making me itch. My naturopath told me to stay on zyrtec while I start the herbs and take the withdrawal very slowly . I am on quercetin (both in herbal form and in a nose spray) and stinging nettle. The first month on the herbs, I stayed on 10 mg of zyrtec. The second month I went down to 5 mg per day (all the while, staying on the herbs for my allergies). This month I'm on 2.5 mg per day. So far I've kept most of the itching at bay except for the one day I skipped a dose and started itching all over again. This process will take months and I really hope this works but I do know you have to be patient. Good luck to all!
Hi Joey29! What a great approach! Sounds like your naturopath has the right idea. Take your time, and you won't struggle with the itching. Glad to hear it is going well so far! Let us know how it turns out.
I set up an appointment with an allergist and was told I needed to stop taking my allergy medicine at least 5-7 days prior to my appointment. So I stopped taking Zyrtec 5 days ago - cold turkey. I have tried to stop taking it before and found that I had terrible itching. I assumed that my allergies were causing the itching, even though I didn't have itching before I went on the Zyrtec. The itching was the main reason I set up the appointment. I'm glad I thought to do a search online for "withdrawal symptoms of Zyrtec". It makes me angry that there aren't any warnings on the package. I called a pharmacist today to ask if they had ever heard of these withdrawal symptoms, and they had not. So...from what I've read in some of the postings on your website, it can take a couple of weeks before the itching goes away. My itching is worse today than it was in the first 4 days. I am counting down the days now.
Hi Anonymous- you are right, it typically takes 15 days or so before the itching wanes. By then you will have had your allergy appointment, but I suggest (if you can) sticking it out and seeing if you can make it to the turning point. You have already made it through a tough portion of the itching. There is also a way you can start cutting your pills down and wean yourself off very slowly, described in detail in the comments section of the post "A Plan". It IS very frustrating to realize that there are so many of us with the same problem, and no help from either the drug companies or from the medical community. Good Luck, and let us know how it goes!
I suffered through the withdrawal sysmptoms for a year until I did my own research on the web and found out that I was not the only one with this problem. My doctors could not understand why I was having this problem with itching and hives. After I found this blog and others I stopped cold, used anti-itch cream on my hives and I was able to recover completely after 6 weeks.
Wow, Anonymous! I love comments like yours. Congratulations!
I'm a nursing student and when I started feeling the unbearable itchiness, my first thought was "Rebound Effect!". Rebound effect is the return of symptoms after discontinuing a medication. Unfortunately, symptoms tend to be way more magnified then before. Since Zyrtec's drug actions are to suppress histamines in the body, the rebound effect then cause an increased release of histamines, which causes the unbearable itchiness that we all are suffering from =(.
Hi Sandy- Yes, I agree, in some cases, rebound effect could be spurring on the intense itching. But, there are MANY other cases, like my own, where itching was never an initial symptom (or in my case, where it was discovered that I had no allergies whatsoever), and therefore couldn't just be "rebounding". In these cases, the itching is a deep, different type of itching that can only be explained by withdrawal.
I went on Zyrtec for hives and was horrified when I found out about the withdrawal symptoms! I've been off for a week and a half. The first week was really difficult! I am now taking 5000mg of Vitamin C a day (a natural antihistamine) and have changed my diet to gluten and dairy free and my hives have dissipated greatly! I can't wait to be completely hive free! Oh, and I have so much more energy than before! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Thank you so much for creating this web site! I would never have known that my hives were being made worse by taking this horrible drug!
Wow this sure answers my question. My allergies were so bad this year that I began taking Zyrtec morning and night to keep the levels up in my system. I missed one last night and the itching was awful. I then thought back and realized that my recent itching problems were when I was farthest from my last Zyrtec, for example at the end of the day. It has been horrible on my feet and under my socks when I get home. So someone tell me, how long does it last if you go cold turkey?
Hi Anonymous! I encourage you to read on within the site: (zyrtecwithdrawal.blogspot.com just in case you just found this one post)
as it will answer most questions you may have.
For the majority of people, there is a major turn-around of symptoms at day 15. I also had the worst symptoms in my hands and feet (who knows why), and had to try not to wear very restrictive clothing/shoes during my weaning.
Good Luck, and let us know how it goes!
I believe I posted my story at some point.. I wanted to go cold turkey. After three days of thinking I would DIE from the itching and lack of sleep, I took 1/2 a pill. Within one hour all symptoms disappeared.
In the last 7 months I have gone from 1/2 a pill to 1/16th, and I still cannot stop taking it. The symptoms always return, and they're so unbearable, that I have to give in and take it. And if only 1/16 of a tablet works, then 10mg must have been a total overdose. I created "Zyrtec is addictive" on facebook. We have got to get Pfizer's attention!
I'm going online to the FDA to post a complaint (adverse meds report), and I suggest every single one of us do one.
I have also cut down to one quarter every 24 to 36 hours and cannot do without....I feel like I'll go nuts without zyrtec in my system!!!People must know about it before they get addicted!
Wow, that is incredible... still needing Zyrtec after that long of a step-down! I tried a step-down as well (See post from 8/24/07) and realized that cold-turkey was the only way for me to go.
There is a link on the post "What to do!" for how to make a report to the FDA. I encourage all of you to do it!
Thanks for your comments!
Let me add to the chorus on Zyrtec withdrawal. I was taking one pill a day for a cat allergy and it worked wonderfully for that. However, I went out of town and forgot my pills, and after missing ONE DOSE I developed the worst full-body itch I had ever experienced. It was absolute torture.
It took a few months to correlate the itching with missing doses. The withdrawal from the drug was ten times worse than the allergy I was taking it for! So I decided to quit, and I had to wean myself off over a course of about a month. Now that this drug is OTC it's critical that people become aware of the risks that go along with it. Thanks for this website!
Hi Ed! Yes, I absolutely agree, the fact that it is over-the-counter now is frustrating. Glad to hear that your weaning went well! Thanks for your comment!
I've been on Zyrtec (10mg once a day) for uticaria (hives) for about 4 years now...it was prescribed by my allergist. I never had itchy skin until I started taking prozac and wellbutrin to treat my depression. About 5 mos. ago I started having hip pain, went to a doctor (not my regular doctor, but an associate) and she said I have bursitis and they gave me ibuprofen and told me to ice my hips. Then, in May I saw my allergist because my itching seem to get worse. My allergist told me to up my daily dose to 20mg (one at breakfast and one at dinner). So I've been on all these meds since (including the double dose of Zyrtec) and my hip pain is terribly worse. I went to my regular physician who told me that Zyrtec could be causing my hip pain because it can dry your joints. Has anyone ever experienced joint pain (particularly hip pain) since taking Zyrtec? I sick of the itching and the pain...I googled Zyrtec and itching and found this site. I decided to quit cold turkey---this is day 2 without the Zyrtec. I'm itching so bad...also, does anyone have any tips on alleviating the itch...my skin is so red and marked with welts from me scratching! Help!
Hi Leah! Yes, there have been others who have mentioned joint pain. It is not the most typical side effect, though. I recommend reading more of the site... especially the post "A Plan" to get help with the itching. (zyrtecwithdrawal@blogspot.com just in case you found this post by itself). Let us know how it goes! Good Luck!
Hello all,
I've been taking zyrtec for several years. After much research (and reading the posts on this site) I decided to wean off of it with the help of herbs. I drink three cups of home-brewed green iced tea (a natural antihistamine) a day and I take about 2-4 capsules of nettles. Nettles are sometimes referred to as stinging nettles and can be found at natural stores and some grocery and drug stores. You can also try an herbal antihistamine called quercetin. It is a little more difficult to find. I take about a third of a zyrtec every 3-5 days and feel that I am making great progress. BEST OF LUCK TO MY FELLOW ITCHERS!!!!
Yay Anonymous! Sounds like you have found a great plan to step-down. Thanks for the info... and best of luck!
Hi Amanda...I have been taking Zyrtec for about a year but not every day. I take it when allergies are kicking up because for me that means difficulty breathing. But the last two weeks I have been having horrible dreams and weird thoughts and high anxiety. I have not taken Zyrtec for 3 or 4 days because of it, but continue having difficulty sleeping and the anxiety. Did you or anyone you know have these problems. I am really freaked out because I am prone to anxiety anyway and I just feel under the influence of this stuff. What can I do, and how long will it take to get out of my system?
Brian.
Yes, Brian, I have heard of others with anxiety as well. Am I understanding you correctly that you do not have any itching?
It typically takes people who are itching about 15 days to see some relief... though any time after 7 days the Zyrtec should be on it's way out of your system. Let us know how it goes...
I developed seasonal allergy symptoms (runny or stuffy nose and itchy eyes) about four or five years ago after moving to Southern Illinois. This year I decided I was going to take something for the symptoms. I just started taking a 10mg dose of generic Zyrtec yesterday. I was amazed this evening to notice that my itchy eyes, itchy nose, and itchy throat had all subsided. I've never been one to take prescription or OTC drugs for much of anything, but this relief is amazing. After reading this site, I am a little freaked out. Do you think I'll have the crazy itching if I just take the Zyrtec occassionally? As soon as the first frost comes, my symptoms go away, but that won't probably be until late October or early November. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Hi Anonymous!
I will be the first one to say that Zyrtec is a miracle drug for MANY people. I know several people in my own life who use this drug occasionally without any side-effects. This particular side-effect seems to occur in only a small portion of the people who use the drug (though to quite an extreme measure), and I would not hesitate to say, if you feel better, keep on keepin' on. You are being smart by being aware of the un-labeled side-effects, and knowing is half the battle. But for now, it sounds like the Z might really help you!
I have been free from Zyrtec for several months. My combination of nettles (herbal allergy pills) organic green tea and taking one third of a zyrtec every 2-5 days worked!!!!! YIPPEEEE! My husband is in the process of weaning himself off using just the step down method and some locally made honey. A spoonful of honey every day will naturally build your immunity to all of your local pollens. It is a great substitute for mild allergies or a great addition to quercetin (herbal remedy) or the nettles! Beware...don't take green tea or nettles if you are pregnant. Green tea zaps the folic acid out of your body and nettles can cause miscarriages! Good luck everyone.
YAY Mindy! Thanks so much for the input... I've never heard that about nettles/green tea and pregnancy before. Congrats, and thanks again!
OMG I can't believe I am not crazy. I have been on Zyrtec for two and a half months for dermatographism which I developed suddenly. The dermatologist told me to take is for a few months to take care of the itching. It worked great for the itching but made me so anxious I couldn't take it anymore. I would get sweaty and nervous and feel like I was having a panic attack. I finally went online and read that this is a side effect of zyrtec. I have since gone off it and it has been four days. I have been itching ever since I went off it. I'm hoping that the itch I am feeling is a withdrawal from the zyrtec rather than the dermatographism that I initially took it for. We will see... I hope to be itch free by next week. Happy I am not alone!!
Hi Nancy! Let us know how your weaning goes! Good Luck!
hi everyone. i completely agree with a lot of withdrawal side effects that are being mentioned here. I have been taking zirte for 15 years nonstop and thought I should have a break as I'm hoping to start trying for a baby soon.
I reduced the tagbkets from 10mg to 5mg for the last few months but it's still a big jump to stop them altogether. When you reduce the dose the receptors in the body upregulate and your body is still dependent on the drug. I think it's best to quit altogether . Takig an antihistamine long term is a bad idea!
I am now on day 3 with no antihistamine and have have itching problems likeeveryone else - which i never had before i took the drug. I get red in patches and whesl come up when i lightlty stroke my skin or if my clothes are causing friction on my skin. I feel a bit crap but I'm sure my body will get used to it. The histamine that has been suppressed all this time is overreacting and my body needs to have time to adjust to it.
I have had itches in quite random delicate areas! but have ignored them and tried not to scratch much. Itching in my throat is a weird one.
My advice is to Come off the antihistamines altogether - your body needs to get back to its normal immunoresponsive state. Any small added dose just to relieve symptoms will not help.
Good luck to everyone!
hi everyone. i completely agree with a lot of withdrawal side effects that are being mentioned here. I have been taking zirtek for 10 years nonstop and thought I should have a break as I'm hoping to start trying for a baby soon.
I reduced the tablets from 10mg to 5mg for the last few months but it's still a big jump to stop them altogether. When you reduce the dose the receptors in the body upregulate and your body is still dependent on the drug. I think it's best to quit altogether . Takig an antihistamine long term is a bad idea!
I am now on day 3 with no antihistamine and have have itching problems like everyone else - which i never had before i took the drug. I get red in patches and wheals come up when i lightly stroke my skin or if my clothes are causing friction on my skin. I feel a bit crap but I'm sure my body will get used to it i already feel better than on the first day. The histamine that has been suppressed all this time is overreacting and my body needs to have time to adjust to it.
I have had itches in quite random womanly areas! but have ignored them and tried not to scratch much. Itching in my throat is a weird one.
My advice is to Come off the antihistamines altogether - your body needs to get back to its normal immunoresponsive state. Any small added dose just to relieve symptoms will not help.
Good luck to everyone!
Hi Anonymous! Your story is quite familiar... and you are correct- I also believe that it's best to just go off of the anti-histamines completely. Good Luck, and let us know how the weaning goes!
I just stopped taking my Zyrtec two days ago, and I am ITCHING like crazy! I should have known better than to take it again anyway, because it causes me to have issues with depression, but my allergies were so bad this spring that I started again--I had never heard of the itching problem, and it IS driving me CRAZY! I'm going to try something topical for the itching and see if that helps--thanks for the site--good to know I'm not going crazy!
Yes, Anonymous, it's a tough call sometimes...allergies or side-effects? Good Luck on your weaning, and let us know how it goes!
I recently decided that I was "addicted" to zyrtec and that I needed to get myself off of it. I took it initially for itchiness all over my body that kept me awake at night. I've taken it daily for about 1.5 years. And it helped. But showering in cool water, using Dove soap and Eucerin calming cream also seems to help so I wanted to get off the pills. Well, now I have insomnia you wouldn't believe. I did one night cold turkey and was up every hour. I tried several nights of half pills and still was up but with somewhat better sleep. This stuff is scary. I'm gonna try to wean myself off anti-histamines with one benadryl before bed. They only last a few hours--not 24. Gotta get a shower--I'm itching right now.
Hi Anonymous! I admire your decision to get off of the pills... but one word of forewarning: Benedryl is the SAME medicine as Zyrtec, and it works the same way in your body. I could have shaved 6 WEEKS off of my withdrawal by not taking Benedryl (read further on in my blog posts to read the play-by-play). Being careful of what you take can make the switch much easier. Good Luck! Let us know how it goes!
For me, I can handle the itching, but it's the nausea, headaches and other flu like symptoms such as aches & chills that drives me back to the pill popping. I've tried to wean myself off several times, but just couldn't function. Think what I have to do is basically take a day or 2 off, stay home and go cold turkey. Does anyone out there experience any other withdrawl affects aside from itching?
Hi Anonymous! Yes, there a plenty of people who experience other side effects. As a matter of fact, nausea and aches are the most common other symptoms mentioned. Feel free to read the other posts and their comments sections to get more details. Good Luck! Let us know how it goes!
Amanda..
I have been taking Zyrtec for almost 6 years now. I am 21 years old and i want to join the Military but i cant go in and take this silly pill. also. i have tried to get off it and got so itchy. i lasted a week but then went back. this was in 2006. i found some Aveeno cream that helps with the itching so im going to go cold turkey tomorrow....do you think the cream will help. do you know of anything else that will help me out??
Hi Anonymous- Read up on the other posts... particularly "A Plan", (zyrtecwithdrawal.blogspot.com in case you reached this post by itself) they will give you plenty of ideas, including using Vicks Vaporub, tea, cortisone cream, etc. Read the comments sections as well for lots other people's experiences. The first week is always the hardest... but usually it is much better by about 15 days in. Good Luck! Let us know how it goes!
Post a Comment