Zyrtec User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Mallo...
• June 27, 2017

For Allergic Rhinitis "My eyes had been bothering me so much, they are constantly red and irritated, gritty feeling no matter what I do from the moment I wake up until I go to bed. I decided to try Zyrtec because my eyes were so bothersome, and antihistamine eye drops didn't work. I've been taking it for 2 weeks, and I have never seen my eyes so white and feeling so good. I don't have to use eye drops at all now. However, there is one downside: Zyrtec makes me feel exhausted. It's not like when you take Benadryl and you feel like you could fall asleep standing up, it's more of a foggy feeling, and you just feel like you could go for a nap, but the feeling never goes away even if you do nap."

• Angry...
• August 31, 2019

"Horrible. I started taking it because I was getting sinus pressure. Just took an odd one here and there. Then I started getting small hives on my forearms, so I took it more regularly. Then, every time the med wore off, I would break out in horrible itching, welts, and redness everywhere. NOTHING stops it except taking the med. I couldn't even touch my own skin lightly. After 5 days, I had to take it again. I NEVER had skin issues like this before Zyrtec EVER. I'm angry there was no warning. I'm trapped on this medication now, probably for life! It's impossible to get off of... it's not just normal itching, either it's intense fiery stinging hell."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2020

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’s in the span of 4 years. Itching is better than being physically dependent on something as strong as Zyrtec."

• JLano
• May 6, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "I have had seasonal allergies starting about 15 years ago until now. I have also had sinusitis since I was a teenager. Both the generic and brand name Cetirizine works the same for me, but the generic is SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER! As soon as I start getting itchy or watery eyes, sneezing from an unknown source, etc.. I will take a pill, and 95% of the time I will start getting relief within 30 to 45 minutes. As far as my sinusitis goes, I will have to take Zyrtec-D or my headaches from the sinus pressure will not subside or go away. I have no itching or heart palpitations on regular cetirizine but did notice occasional palpitations or increased heart rate with Zyrtec-D. This is somewhat expected since Zyrtec-D has Pseudoephedrine in it(the stuff used to make Methamphetamine). I would suggest that if anyone is having heart palpitation issues when using Zyrtec, make sure you're not taking Zyrtec-D as they are not the same thing."

• JoanneS
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2019

For Allergic Rhinitis "We just moved to Texas, and this March, I started experiencing my first spring/pollen season. Pollen counts were super high, and I was miserable. Go outside for five minutes with the dogs, come inside, and sneeze and blow my nose for an hour. My nose was red and sore from all the blowing. I don't like taking pills if I don't have to, but I needed something. Tried Allegra, but it just barely took the edge off. Claritin did absolutely nothing. As a last resort, I decided to try Zyrtec. It was the only thing I hadn't tried. I gave it a 3 out of 10 because it did make my symptoms stop. No more sneezing, no more itchy nasal passages. But the fatigue is overwhelming. I feel like a walking zombie. I am so tired. Slept for a solid 7 hours last night. Was awake for 2 before I started falling asleep sitting up. Took a 2-hour nap, and I'm still tired. I can't function like this, so I won't be taking it again. At least Benadryl wears off by the time I wake up in the morning."

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

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."

• Craig
• September 19, 2017

For Urticaria "I was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria 3 months ago. I have dermographism, where my skin itches during the day, and if I scratch it, I get terrible red patches on my body that stay for an hour or two and look terrible. I tried every single second-generation antihistamine, and none of them helped. Zyrtec finally gave me the relief I wanted. I take one pill in the morning with no side effects, and I almost don't feel any itch during the day. Since I don't itch, I don't need to scratch myself and don't get hives. I give 8 stars because it doesn't completely cure CIU, but it helps me to manage my symptoms."

• FPR
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2022

For Allergic Rhinitis "Been taking Zyrtec for 4-5 years. I started because I was having allergies and I just continued taking it because I felt it helped or maybe in my head it did. For years I’ve had anxiety, depression, weight gain and high BP. I have come off all other meds and still have these issues. My therapist found out I was taking it and said you need to come off that right away it’s not good for your anxiety or adrenals. So I tried to stop taking it and right away I started itching like crazy. I googled it and sure enough a lot of people have this issue (zyrtec withdrawal) . People actually have gone to rehab to come off this and detox. So I decided I wean off slowly to hopefully help the itching. I went from a whole pill to half to 1/4. Each time I lowered the itching started. Wheezing. Neck ache headache for days anxiety BP went up. The itching is less but this is horrible. Today was my first day w/o any. I’m hoping this is over soon. I refuse to take it again"

• Ozjan
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2015

For Urticaria "After traveling to Japan in Sep 2015 and enjoying a tremendous quantity of seafood sashimi, BBQ Wagyu beef, and wonderful cheesecake, I woke up the next morning with hives literally covering the outer parts of both of my front arms and partially between my shoulder and neck. I have never experienced an allergic reaction like this in my life (by the way, I am 52 years old). After doing intensive checkups, blood tests, etc., finally, one of the brilliant doctors gave me Zyrtec. I have been taking it (one a day) for two weeks. I still don't know (my doctor either) what triggered these ugly hives, but eventually all disappeared and went to hell. I highly recommend it. I agree about the side effects, especially causing impairment in my thinking."

• Anonymous
• March 15, 2012

For Allergic Rhinitis "Zyrtec worked well for my nasal allergies, but when I tried to stop taking it after several years, I got the skin itch/rash that many have reported. It was worst for the first few days, but now even a year later I still frequently get a skin rash when I get warm (cholinergic urticaria). I can't say for sure that the cholinergic urticaria was a side effect of stopping Zyrtec, but skin rashes were never a symptom of mine until I stopped."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2011

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."

• TheBe...
• November 20, 2015

For Urticaria "52 y/o. Well, I have had hives for 2, almost 3 weeks now on my face, scalp, and neck. Cause undetermined, and I never had them before. I was put on a Prednisone pack that I quit due to the extreme side effects. A sedative. I used a heap of ear and eye drops. Was taking Benadryl. I just wanted to claw my skin off. The welts were painful and then became horrifically and insanely itchy. One or three would go away, only to be replaced by four, eyes and even ears swelled shut. Tried Zyrtec after the 3rd doc visit. Felt good! Itching stopped. Still some swelling around one eye, but given how bad it was, this is like a miracle. Just took a second one today and though still a little residual swelling, 95% better. No side effects either. This drug is a godsend."

• Bunnyc
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

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."

• Lizfr...
• December 1, 2018

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!"

• Rothive
• March 1, 2016

For Urticaria "I had my first hive outbreak at age 63, off and on, lasting for a year. I visited the allergy doctor once and was advised to 'enjoy life more and don't do too much! It could be stress-related.' I did not take any medicine. Then, for one and a half years, I was fine. For the recent 3 months, I have been suffering from the second chronic hive outbreak. They are acting up on my face, lips, eyes, and face, which are new and more severe symptoms. At the same time, my older son had the same outbreak and has been taking Zyrtec daily by his doctor's recommendation. I have been asking for a total of 13 pills from him. Firstly, I took one a day for 4 days. They were very effective on me. Each pill can stop the hives for 3 days."

• Sarah
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "After taking Zyrtec with a cough medicine I became so light headed I thought it was the end of me. My neck got stiff and pain my head was hurting on top and light head unable to drive , I was sure I’m having a stroke. I stop taking it for 2 days and all those symptoms are gone."

• frust...
• November 15, 2008

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."

• Tika
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "Zyrtec did stop my sneezing, and only took 2 days for total relief. After two weeks on a whole pill each day, I gradually started getting vertigo and mild visual hallucinations. (patterns danced) About a year later, I tried again, this time on a half pill each day. a month later, the vertigo started. I have stopped taking it, and I'm having symptoms like a mild migraine, but the vertigo is fading."

• Yube
• February 6, 2009

For Allergic Rhinitis "This medicine works, but you start having different side effects. When I was taking Zyrtec, I started having pain in my back and then stabbing pain in the spine, and also an irritating pain in the knees and non-stop twitching of the eyes. I just recently discontinued my prescription of Zyrtec due to the above side effects. Now I have no pain but have started itching all over my body. I prefer the itching to the pain."

• SMari...
• June 15, 2016

For Allergic Rhinitis "I have firstly severe seasonal allergies, and I purchased Zyrtec in hopes that it would be superior to Allegra. The allergy symptoms improved slightly, but the fatigue was terrible. It was so bad that I thought I was coming down with the flu. I slept for five hours straight in the middle of the day after my second dose. This is not acceptable."

• Jenn...
• July 18, 2015

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."

• wish2...
• March 6, 2015

For Urticaria "I've had chronic hives for years, and until a doctor in the emergency room found exactly what to do... within 2 hours, it was gone. She hooked me up to an IV and gave me a high dose of steroids, not the Medrol dose pack. 20 mg 3 times a day (after I went home), but she also gave me Zyrtec 10 mg and Prilosec. Apparently, the Prilosec helps also. But I still get hives every 2 months. When I get hives, I welt up with a rash from head to toe, my skin is as red as can be, and it burns badly and itches. I also take lukewarm baths with a lot of Epsom salt, and the soap I use for hive attacks is homemade lye soap! It must be homemade. I'm curious about how much Zyrtec can you take within 24 hours, safely."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2011

For Allergic Rhinitis "I have been taking Zyrtec for about 2 years for hay fever. I have noticed that it doesn't seem to be working as well for my symptoms as it did at first. I stopped taking it 3 days ago, and now I am experiencing severe itching on my hands and feet."

• Darling
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2021

For Urticaria "Reviewing for my 5 year old son. Chronic hives of unknown cause. Allergist said he was to take 10mg Zyrtec daily. His hives are finally under control. No side effects. We tried Claritin, benadryl, hydroxyzine, pepcid and prednisone prior and none of these worked but zyrtec worked."

• Jppp
• December 29, 2017

For Urticaria "I suffer from chronic hives. Zyrtec doesn't really help anything at all. I've had hives everyday for 2 years until my doctor told me about a shot called XOLAIR. I take 2 shots per month and it made my hives completely go away. I was on the shots for about a year. After 1 and a half years, my hives came back. I'm already in the process to go back on the shots again. I really recommend anyone with chronic hives to ask about XOLAIR."