Cetirizine and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Nal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2020

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "This medicine is absolutely awful. Please avoid! If you take it long term, you will experience the following: 1- weight gain 2- sleepiness 3- irritability 4- heart palpitations 5- severe anxiety 6- muscle twitches 7- hypertension 8- bloating 9- IBS. Those are serious side effects. I implore you to do everything you can to avoid taking this stuff. On a positive note, once you quit, all those symptoms will clear within a few days to a week. PS: when you quit, you may experience severe Pruritus, please wait it out and refrain from popping another pill, I promise you it will go away despite how miserable it can be. It is like withdrawing from a real drug, which is scary. It will subside."

• RJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 5, 2019

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Stay away from this drug (Zyrtec) for seasonal allergies - there are better alternatives. While taking Zyrtec, especially if you are older, you may experience dry mouth and accelerated dental caries among others (drowsiness, headache, constipation, and miscellaneous other adverse effects). Upon discontinuing Zyrtec, you may experience disabling generalized and severe itching without a rash or sometimes with a rash. The itching can occur anywhere on your body - but almost always on the palms and soles. The itching is often severe and unrelenting and often is not associated with a rash. The itching can last for days and weeks. The FDA is aware of this 'Zyrtec withdrawal syndrome,' but to date does not appear too concerned about it. Several hundreds of cases have been reported."

• Hew...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2022

For Eustachian Tube Dysfunction "I've had a hellish experience with eustachian tube dysfunction for the past few days and trying different antihistamines just to stop it, and none worked. Then I took cetirizine. 15-30 mins later, ALL HEALED. JUST LIKE THAT. Amazing. Just a point to look out for: sometimes it can make you drowsy, so look out for that."

• JJa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 3, 2020

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "There is not a single good enough reason to start taking Zyrtec. I’ve tried to quit multiple times, and I end up having to take it again because of the relentless itchiness. On top of that, it makes you quite drowsy and doesn’t fix the allergy symptoms I started taking it for. Since trying to quit for the 3rd time, I’ve also experienced severe headaches and neck pain. Weaning yourself off seems to be the best option."

• Col...
• March 25, 2014

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Zyrtec relieved me of my allergies (except for my worst days), but the side effects were horrible—drowsiness being the worst. I took it at night, however, it still made me so drowsy during the day that in school I fell asleep in every class. Eventually my friends convinced me to stop taking it because they had experienced the same thing."

• nao...
• June 9, 2013

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Urticaria "I've had dermatographism or chronic urticaria for about 1 year before I started taking Zyrtec. I started taking Zyrtec in January, and now I forgot I even have the skin problem! When I first tried this product, the side effects made me extremely sleepy and thirsty. It dried my body out. But the side effects went away after prolonged use. Now I feel like a normal person!"

• Rag...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 25, 2013

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Zyrtec works incredibly well for my severe ragweed allergy. However, each fall, I've noticed it's making me more and more drowsy, to the point that I don't want to do anything and I'm needing naps in the afternoon. I think I'm going to have to discontinue it, which is frustrating because it works much better than the other meds I've tried."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2014

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "I took Zyrtec on the advice of my ENT for chronic sinusitis from hay fever. It worked wonders on my sinuses, but I cannot function on it due to extreme drowsiness and fatigue. I am going to have to stop taking it!"

• Cin...
• August 6, 2014

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Urticaria "My husband has been having hive outbreaks, which seem to have gotten progressively more severe over the last 8 months. His doctor has been changing medications, trying to find the source. Husband is on blood pressure and statins. Benadryl is not as effective anymore, plus taking it every six hours makes him sleep all the time. I am so glad I found this website! Talked with the doctor about trying one of these antihistamine treatments, and she agreed. It has worked! No more hives! Fantastic! He has a life again. Who knew that a 10mg pill could make such a difference."

• ano...
• April 18, 2013

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Urticaria "I have had chronic idiopathic urticaria and demographism for the last 14 years with no identifiable cause. 10 mg daily works great and keeps the hives away. The drowsiness subsides after prolonged use."

• GmW...
• July 12, 2017

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Urticaria "I recently had testing for chronic urticaria with Hashimoto (with normal thyroid levels). And came out positive, which means I have to deal with hives and swelling. At first, I was only taking Benadryl, but it only put me to sleep and I would wake up with the same symptom. So my specialist suggested I take one Zyrtec a day, but I was still having symptoms two times a week (remind you I was having hives and swelling every single day from morning to night), so even though I was having symptoms two times a week, it was a relief, but I was looking for complete relief. So then again, my specialist suggested that instead of taking one 10 mg Zyrtec pill, I would move on to taking two 10 mg Zyrtec pills a day. And thankfully, it has changed my life! I don't get drowsy!"

• Mic...
• April 6, 2018

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "I took Zyrtec on Wednesday at bedtime, and I'm still drowsy now on Friday at 8 PM. I woke Thursday morning to severe drowsiness. I had breakfast, lots of water, and some glucose to combat this feeling of everything spinning around me and wanting to faint. I vomited twice so far. Trying diuretics and lots of water to get it out of my system, but I'm still drowsy, and any sudden movements leave me holding onto walls and furniture. I took 5 mg. I have taken it before with no side effects. I'm never taking Zyrtec again. Stayed out of work and going to my GP if I feel the same tomorrow. Most unusual, though."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2020

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "I was prescribed Zyrtec by my doctor when I was very young for my seasonal allergies. A few years later, I started taking it every day, and this kept going on for 4 years (daily usage). I will not deny the fact that Zyrtec is the most effective allergy pill I have EVER taken, and that even though it doesn’t completely relieve me from ALL my allergy symptoms, it is fast and effective. However, nothing is perfect. I decided to stop it because I’ve become too dependent on it. I’m sure it’s going to be a tough journey, but I’m willing to do this for the sake of my body. It makes you drowsy, affects your sleep (I have always been a light sleeper, but Zyrtec made it impossible for me to feel like I slept well), causes depression, and worsens my anxiety. I also read that it causes weight gain. I was 60 KG before and was noticeably slimmer. I gained 10 KG in the span of 4 years. Itching is better than being physically dependent on something as strong as Zyrtec."

• lgs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2012

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "I just took Zyrtec for the first time yesterday. It did make me drowsy, but I also didn't get much sleep the night before. I took it because my eye was so itchy and watery it had become swollen, and I was having trouble breathing. I have had allergies for over 15 years but never took anything before this. Well, I don't know if this is an unlisted side effect, but I woke up in my sleep cracking up and could not stop laughing for a few minutes even after my husband woke me. I wonder if anyone else had intense dreams while on this medication. I don't take anything else that would cause this."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2011

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Urticaria "I suffer from acute symptoms of psoriasis and Koebner's phenomenon with severe itching. I also have asthma, coughing constantly. I'm newly diagnosed with psoriasis, so I couldn't figure out what was going on with the severe itching and what was triggering my rashes. After seeing five other doctors, I went to an allergist, and he suggested taking Zyrtec. I didn't think it would help, but it really does. It doesn't cause me drowsiness, but it wears off after 12 hours, and my itching from psoriasis comes back. My rheumatologist suggested taking one in the morning and one at night. It helps with the severe itching. It stops my coughing as well."

• Bun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "It is an awesome med for allergies. But it made me depressed. Even with taking the children’s liquid and using a small amount, it still did. I worry about people taking this and not realizing it can make them depressed. In prescriptions, it has to tell you to watch out for changes in mood and sadness, but not for over the counter. As for drowsiness, taking the children’s liquid helped with that."

• fru...
• November 15, 2008

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Urticaria "I have had cholinergic urticaria for a few years now. I break out into hives when I start exerting myself physically or it's hot. After taking Zyrtec 1/2 an hour before my workout, I didn't experience that irritating itchy feeling all over, nor did I get hives. My skin got red, but no bumps. I don't care as long as I don't get the irritation, which works to create an aversion to exercise. I took a 5 mg dosage. After my workout, I went to sleep at 7 p.m., woke up for an hour, and then went to bed at 9 p.m., only to sleep the whole following day. I was unusually fatigued and sleepy. I'm going to try 2.5 mg today to see if that helps."

• Liz...
• December 1, 2018

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Three years ago, I started taking Zyrtec for nasal allergies that included sneezing and a stuffy nose. I was previously on Claritin, but it wasn't giving me all-day relief, so the doc switched me to Zyrtec. The full dose made me very tired, so I started taking a half dose at bedtime. I have had sleep issues, and taking this medication solved that and relieved my allergy symptoms. A winner, right? The problem is, I became dependent on this med to get that sleepy feeling. I ignored that I was waking up very groggy and not functioning without a strong cup of coffee. I also developed severe mood swings. I convinced a doc to give me allergy skin testing. I stopped the Zyrtec for 5 days prior. The first day, I could hardly get out of bed, but by day three, I noticed a huge difference in my mental clarity. I told the doc, no more Zyrtec for me. Turns out I am allergic to cats and dogs, not trees. I am going to practice avoidance and stay off this drug!"

• Jen...
• July 18, 2015

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "I have been taking Zyrtec for almost 6 years. I was first prescribed Zyrtec to combat my allergies during pregnancy. It worked well except to make me a little drowsy. I only take it seasonally, and it still works well for my symptoms, but the fatigue and drowsiness have gotten worse over time. When I started taking it again for my spring/summer allergies this year, the first week was horrible. Even taking it at night, I felt so fatigued the next day my muscles ached, and I had to fight to stay awake during the day with my 2 little ones at home. I would fall asleep as soon as my husband got home and sleep 14-15 hours. After about a week, my body seemed to adjust and the drowsiness isn't as bad anymore."

• sme...
• April 1, 2010

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Zyrtec is the only medicine that controls my allergy symptoms, but it makes me so tired, sleepy, and I always seem to be 'zoning out.' I even passed a red light at an intersection a few days ago... thankfully, no one was hurt."

• Cur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2016

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Have always had severe allergies since a child. I first used Zyrtec about 14 years ago. Worked great, but I could barely stay awake at work. It was bad. I'm a dental assistant, and I actually fell asleep while assisting (sitting on the assistant chair!). I could barely drive. I confided in a co-worker, and she asked me if I was taking anything. I told her just allergy pills. She asked which ones, and she said her daughter takes them, but she has to take them a couple of hours before bed. I could have easily had a car accident. Anyhow, now I'm researching what to take for mango skin allergy. I have Allegra, which isn't as good, and since I don't work now, I'm going to take Zyrtec for it after reading the reviews on it."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "I'm a 21-year-old female. The worst allergy medicine I've ever taken, next to Levocetirizine. Besides being sedated and anxious, I most recently have been waking up with hives, shortness of breath, swollen eyelids and top lip, itching and burning skin, and panic attacks. I discontinued this medicine after like 3 months of taking it almost daily, I was absolutely miserable. I will never take this garbage again. I'm on day 2 of not taking it, and I'm starting to feel better."

• the...
• July 28, 2009

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "Two of us have used Zyrtec for many years because it is stronger than the other so-called non-drowsy antihistamines, such as Allegra and Claritin. We need relief mostly for sinus itching, throbbing, pressure, and discomfort; also useful for itchy allergic skin. This medicine will usually cause pronounced drowsiness for the first three days, so the best way to get used to it is to take half a pill daily for three days, then the whole pill daily. Also, it may increase urination. But as I say, it is very effective."

• Ble...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2021

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "I have been on Zyrtec D for about 10 years. I take this once a day. I have tried to go off this medicine numerous times in order to have allergy testing done, but I can’t get past the itching and horrible withdrawal symptoms. This is currently the longest I’ve been off of it, and I’m on day 3 and in misery. After 24 hours, the itching started. The palms of my hands, feet, legs, and even inside of my mouth are itching. I wish there would have been a warning on their medication because I would not have ever started it. This is horrible. Completely miserable, and all I want to do is take a pill to stop this itching. I have been taking Benadryl, which is helping to make the itching not as intense, but it doesn’t make it go completely away, and the Benadryl makes me so sleepy. Hopefully, not too many more days of this because it is absolutely horrible."

• bob...
• October 3, 2012

Zyrtec (cetirizine) for Allergic Rhinitis "It really did not work for me. My eyes itched a bit less, but my nose just kept itching and running. Also sneezed multiple times after the 1st dose. Tried a 2nd tablet 4 hours later with no noticeable results. This may work for some people, but I get better relief from Benadryl, which works well but causes drowsiness."