Picture from iwantmeds.com
Although this is my photography blog but this is also where i blog about things in my life that i would like to share to the public.
One such important issue is the use of antihistamine Zyrtec which i think public should know as well as what i did to overcome it.
It started 2 years ago when i started having allergic itch all over my body after taking a dog out for a walk. As the pet is just 1 week old i was unsure if its caused by some ticks in the garden or something else. A visit to my local clinic suggested that it could be allergic reaction to my dog’s fur. I was then prescribe “Zyrtec”, little did i know this started me on a long and frustrating journey in recovery.
After taking Zyrtec, all allergic reactions and even any common cold symptoms would disappear, in about 30 minutes. I thought i just had the best medicine ever and i do have a historical background on asthmatic attacks. During the consumption of Zyrtec, i was literally asthma free and allergic free.
I finished up 2 stack of around 10-12 tablets as prescribed.
However, i notice after a week of not consuming Zyrtec, suddenly i feel a sudden itch and the body would red and itchy in certain areas and then moved on to the next area. Thinking that i might have encounter allergens i just bought Zrytec off the counter and took half a tablet, 30 mins later i was once again “perfect”.
But this pattern doesn’t goes away, so i decided to visit the hospital in Pantai Bangsar for a blood test for allergy. The result came back with recommendation to clear my bed as i reacted highly to dust mites, prawn and some instances of squids. I followed the order to the spot.
But every 3 days or so, and i can feel the cycle seems to be getting shorter, the allergy would return and i had to get the “Zyrtec” fix. I also noted down some of the effect during the allergy attack :
1. The itch is not confined to one area. It could move. Some areas like the feet are hellish as its very sensitive and you might even have difficulty driving. This informs me that its not so much of whats outside, but whats inside the body that is causing a reaction.
2. Unless Zyrtec is taken during this state, i can also feel that there is a tendency to be more “lustful”. This could be because the whole system is on hyper sensitive mode. Initially i thought this was just probably some male hormone thing, but the “lure” ceased immediately after Zyrtec is consumed. Well, i am not 18 years old, so the “drive” must be somehow caused by Zyrtec withdrawal as i have noted this situation and i personally hate getting affected by it.
3. Taking half a tablet or quarter seems to have the same effect of stopping the allergic attack.
I visited Korea, Taiwan, Bangkok and i have noted down that even with perfectly clean beds and environment, the allergic will return in just 3 days or shorter after the last Zyrtec fix. This tells me something is very wrong and i google up “zyrtec” and was shocked to discover that i am not alone facing this. How in the world did Pharmacy got the approval to sell this medicine?
Let me just put it this way, Zyrtec withdrawal symptoms is VERY HARD to break. I have never done drugs and have often criticized addicts on why can’t they just give up drugs or even smoking. With Zyrtec withdrawal issues, i could related easily. It was hell, every 3 days a sudden attack of itch all over the body moving from hands, legs, foot to anywhere makes life just impossible to live normally.
But knowing that its not allergic but caused by Zyrtec itself, i told myself i must break free from this effect.
So this is what i did :
1. I took quarter tablet of Piriton every 3 days when the attack starts. Piriton is the older antihistamine available in any pharmacy and it definitely is drowsy but does not cause the kind of withdrawal symptoms (that is what i hoped)
2. I totally AVOID taking ANY ZYRTEC .
3. I tried to push the cycle as far as possible, eg 4 days, 5 days before i took the quarter Piriton.
4. Avoid taking sugar, coffee. Don’t ask me why. I notice avoiding them led to much easier to cope with allergic attack in the cycle.
The first week is the worst. I thought it will never recover as every 3 days i would probably need the Piriton instead.
Today its been over a month since the last Zyrtec and over 1 week since i took any Piriton. So yeah it does improves and i am glad to be Zyrtec free.
M changing lives with images. 
I’m on my seventh day of Zyrtec withdrawal. It has been an absolute nightmare. I started taking Zyrtec for seasonal allergies. Then after summer I tried stop taking the drug and after 48hrs I started experiencing chronic general itchiness all of my body. Lips, arms, feet, hands, scalp, you name it. I attributed to a new allergy (thinking that after 10 years of owning animals, I developed an allergy to my pets.) So I wen’t back on Zyrtec. The symptoms went away after one hour. 2 years later after taking Zyrtec once every two day or until symptoms returned. I finally got fed up and wen’t to a dermatologist. He diagnosed me with “Chronic Demographic Urticaria” and told me to double my does of Zyrtec to two pills a day vs my one pill every other day. I did and now it’s three months later. Now after even a day of skipping a dose, my body goes into INSANE itchiness mode, Hives, skin writing, hot spots, needles on scalp, hands and feet. I did some research and came across this website called http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/02/21/zyrtec-withdrawal-is-a-nightmare/ . After reading through hundreds of consumers horror stories I am now convinced that the Chronic Demographic Urticaria is caused by Zyrtec withdrawal. After a week of trying to stop cold turkey I am in hell. I can’t function at work, I can’t sleep, I can’t get anything done. I litteraly lay in bed all day and just wan’t to scream and cry. I am in constant agony. My question is why doesn’t the FDA at least force the manufacturers to warn consumers about the withdrawal symptoms. Is there honestly no long term scientific research on this kind of stuff? If you are on zyrtec (cetirizine) and have been taking it daily for a month to 2 years please try to go as long as you can without taking it, and I guarantee you will experience the same symptoms as myself and thousands of others. If anyone reads this and has any legal or medical advise please contact me! My skin is permanently ruined from scratching. I am in hell! We need a serious class action lawsuit against these scumbags.
To marcus Low: How are you doing now after stopping? Are you free of itching and off drugs completely?
P.S. Thanks for this post, it’s made me feel a lot more hopeful.
LikeLike
I have generally gone without Zyrtec . I recommend using piriton as temporal relieve . It’s a duff formula that won’t cause this kind of effect . But u get drowsy after 1-2 hours
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing. About 2 weeks ago I stopped taking zyrtec abruptly after a surgery. After a few days, I had incredible hives, itching, etc. I took a partial zyrtec pill and the symptoms went away. Last week again I had to take a partial pill. It has been 16 days and I can’t seem to stop itching. Ugggh!
How long did it take for you to completely get free?
LikeLike
I’ve been taking Zyrtec for over 10 years. I’m now on day 136 of withdrawal. First month was horrific. Got bearable month 2 and 3. Now into month 4 going to 5 and I’m insanely itching like the first time all over again. I’ve never been so tormented and I advise strongly against using this medication. I hope that one day I can come back and say I’m itchy free but for now I’ll be optimistic.
LikeLike
Leah- tell me that you’re hive/itch free? I am the same story- zyrtec for 10 yrs, and am in month two of withdrawal. Wondering how long this will last. I know eventually it’ll go away, but when you’re losing sleep, body is bruised from the itching, and people think you’re abused, I’m looking for a light.
LikeLike
Use other meds that provide similar relief (different composition) , that worked for me long enough to get rid of zyrtec.
Avoid seafood like prawns/squids at all cost.
LikeLike
Experiencing the same thing; am 21. I thought it was body or head lice.. But there was zero evidence i had them; my partner never noticed any lice either. Then i remembered reading about zyrtec withdrawal but never thought it would happen to me.. here i am. 2 weeks off it; a week ago it disappeared but I’m going through it again with no relief in sight.
LikeLike
Hey Ronan,
You can try using other anti-histamin but stay off Zyrtec. In my case I took cold tablets for running nose which is basically antihistamin.
Look, u need to totally avoid Zyrtec, It might feel like hell initially, but its the only way forward.
LikeLike
Zyrtec is pure POISON! It’s like trying to break an addiction from meth! The FDA is pure evil and only care for profit.
I’m on day 12 of Zyrtec free, stopped cold turkey. I’m feeling slightly better but still get tiny red bumps randomly here and there; when that happens I use OTC cortisone cream on it and it disappears. I also take Boiron Homeopathic pellets in the evening which seem to help. Sleep has been wanky also but I promise you it all gets resolved! You just need some patience and resilience. Our bodies are extremely malleable and capable of repairing themselves.
Good luck and please reach out if you have any questions!!
LikeLike
I have been on Zyrtec for five years now and every time I try to come off them it’s total hell. The itching is extreme. I am trying to wean myself off them gradually because I tried cold turkey and couldn’t do it. One day when I was getting ready for work the itching struck with such force huge patches of hives all over my legs I couldn’t put my clothes on. Needless to say I had to stay home that day and give in to taking Zyrtec. I am trying to slowly wean myself off this POISON!!!!! It’s disgusting that the FDA is not doing anything about this. I thought I was going crazy until I read other people and their struggles to go off Zyrtec.
LikeLike