Itching Withdrawal From Cetirizine Or Zyrtec (Page 16)

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.

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Someone mentioned seeing the doctor to find a solution to the itching, I visited two doctors and they both said essentially the same thing: that's impossible, the itching must be from something else. Why won't doctors believe this? It has become very widespread, and it is purely horrible. I tried weaning off by taking half a pill only when the itching began. Sometimes it was two days, sometimes more. I went an entire week without itching and thought I was successfully getting off without the horrible itching I got when I went cold turkey. Well it wasn't over and it still isn't over. Two weeks ago I decided that after 3 months of trying to get off slowly and the itching always came back I would just stop altogether again. So I did. And I am in misery again. So bottom line is that I don't think weaning off slowly is a solution. It just keeps you hooked on the antihistamine at wider intervals. I don't even want that. I don't know how much longer this really severe itching will last but like I said I'm at two weeks antihistamine free with no sign of relief. My hot spots have sprung sores too, and by hot spots I mean most of my body that itches in a rotational manner, when one area stops itching another starts up. This is gruesome.

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PS if you are taking an OTC sleep aid to get some sleep with all this withdrawal itching, be advised that the active sleep ingredient in most OTC sleep aids is Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an antihistamine. I made that mistake. You're trying to get off antihistamines while continuing to feed them into your system disguised as sleep meds. No wonder life was so comfy when I was taking Tylenol PM. During Zyrtec withdrawal, I became just as sensitive to Benadryl, something I hadn't been in the past.

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I am having same issue I have been taking Benadryl to ease the itch but it makes me tired. After finding out that this withdrawal from Zyrtec I am determined not to take it again

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a prednisone regimen (a weeks worth for something else) did it for me. Zyrtec withdrawal was nasty for me as well before that.

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A prednisone regimen did it for me...took it for something else and I was off after a week.

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As many of you have said, very relieved to have found this chat....b/c I thought I must have body lice or something. Ugh!! Yes, I have been on Zyrtec for 5 years for seasonal sinus-related allergies. It has helped me tremendously as far as cutting down on sinus infections. However, 5 days ago, I ran out of my Zyrtec while on vacation in the mountains and decided to just tough it our for a few days without it until the end of my trip. The crazy itching started on day 3, from my scalp to the bottoms of my feet, affecting different areas at different times. I had my husband check my hair and body for lice, looked in psoriasis, etc. etc, until I realized I made the connection that it might be related to my being off the Zyrtec for several days. I looked online and say these and now feel so relieved to know why. I am a little worried though, as many of you are, that staying on this drug may not be good for me long term if it causes this much of a reaction going off. For now, I will go back on until I can even this itching out a bit and probably then eventually wean off in a few weeks as many of you suggested. Thanks!

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I'm impressed you made the connection to Zyrtec so quickly, it took me 7 years to do that, and lots of unexplained itching which all the doctors called excema and gave me steroids for, which didn't help. I hope you'll write again when you try easing off gradually. I have not been successful doing that and hope to get some advice. Good luck. Joey

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I have had some intermittent itching starting withdrawal from Zyrtec but the confusion, mood swings, dizziness and irritability is terrible. Have not seen this mentioned much.

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Had an Allergic reaction to some chemical the company I work for is using to clean parts. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for cleaning process parts and there using the product DRY and have been using the product for quite awhile. Product is not to be used DRY, Has to be used wet!! After months of exposure to the Dry product use I became Allergic. Broke out in Hives and Rash really bad and went to the Medical walk-in clinic and that is were the nightmare began. Was put on Predisone and then weaned off, also put on Benadryl and Zyrtec(Zantec) to deal with Allergic reaction.

Stopped taking Zyrtec as it caused severe chest pain with out break of hives. After 4 months of dealing with this hell and Doctors prescribing more antihistamines in the form of Costco's Allergy pill (Cetrizine 10mg 2x a day) for the last 6-8 weeks.
I finally have an appointment with a top Allergy Doc. and have been off all meds as I have to be for this appointment for 5 days, well it's day 6 with 2 more days to go before seeing the Doc. NEVER NEVER have I been through so much Itching and Hives and breakouts. The first 2 days we quite good no breakout , rash or hives and then all hell broke loose the third day and until now has been nothing but pure torture, uncontrollable breakouts of hives rash and itching. Yesterday it was so bad I finally called the Allergy Doctors office and said my appointment was in 3 days time and that my sons wedding was on this weekend and I can't take it , they told me it was alright to take Benadryl up to 48 hrs before the appointment Thank GOD it calmed downed but I know its not the solution to this withdrawal from Cetrizine. But I could not attend this important event without temporary relief. I actually spoke to a pharmacist about coming off Cetrizine and he actually said good luck as it is not good to come off. Brutal is all I can Tell you and after reading mostly all of the forum responses, Thank God My wife found this site as I thought I was going crazy. If anyone has any suggestions above and beyond what you have already posted please HELP!!!!!

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I am doing really well being off Zyrtec for which I am supremely grateful I have had several acupuncture sessions which I think have helped. If anyone is able to try this I would highly recommend it..Itching has largely subsided and the crazy feeling in head is gone!

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Dear friends,

I am living in chennai, its a one of the biggest city in india.

I have itching problem for every 2 days.So i am always taking citrizine tablet whenever itching occurs.

who are all affected this itching problems. pls dont take citrizine medicine always.

Please take the following HOMEOPATHY medicine

Step 1: Take Nux Vomica - 200 - 5ml (liquid). Add one drop in water take 4 times per days (Morning,afternoon,evening,night). You should take for 2 days. It will clear previous medicine chemicals in your body.

Step 2:Take Apis Mellifica - 30 - 5ml (liquid). Add one drop in water take 4 times per days.(Morning,afternoon,evening,night). You should take for 2 days. It will helps to prevent itching & swelling in your body.

Step 3: Bio Combination Salts -No. 20 - 100 grams.

For Adults: 4 tablets every three hours or four times a day.

Children: Half of the adult's dose.

It cures:

Acne, chaps and cracks, whitlow, eczema, eruptions on the scalp, seborrhoea, psoriasis, herpes, and similar eruptive diseases. It is also indicated in post-operative adhesion and sycotic excrescences. After taking the above medicines.
Finally you will be cured permanently without taking citrizine.

Homeopathy is the slowly curing medicine.But its give permanent solution. Dear friends Pls pass this information , who are all affected by itching, swelling & Citrizine users.

Regards,
Abdul k. DECE, BCA, MBA,
{edited for privacy}
Country: INDIA
Current city: Chennai

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i have been on zyrtec for 15 years and have tried a few times to come off it but the itching drove me mad. however, in the last 2 weeks i have been itching very badly all over head and face and especially my nose whilst still on it so i am on my 3rd day of being off it with little itching. i wonder if the process has reversed itself whereas taking it for too long can cause itching?

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Thanks for sharing. I am still taking half a pill every other day, but can't go off it completely.

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To Nancy: just wait, my guess it will start up again any day now and gradually get worse, which is my experience each time I try to stop. I went a week being ok once and thought it was over, but it started up again (palms, feet, scalp, then all over) and ignoring it only meant going back gradually to the severe itching, not fading away. My doctor refuses to give me prednisone for this for whatever reason he has, so I haven't tried that, but it feels as if I've tried everything else and can't quit without going through months of absolute torment.

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I had the same problem and was in a hotel as on travel for med tests. Slept on a laundry bag filled with ice cubes the first night...got cortisone cream the next day and managed to get through it in about a week. I had been on it two years but went off 2x for tests. I switched to Allegra and haven't tried going off that.

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for joey..well yes you are right...forth day and itching has started but i am determined to keep off it..i am in uk and no help here so i have contacted the uk suppliers and am awaiting a reply...will keep you up to date.

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Unbelievable! Is there anyone out there who has completely and successfully kicked this withdrawal and returned to a normal Zyrtec? I need hope.

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A normal life, not Zyrtec ... Sorry

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Yes, I was on out for about two years and after about a month and a half I'm 100% itch free. Don't give up. I know everybody's body make up is different but I'm 100% zyrtec free and itch free going on 1.5yrs.

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Yeah, I was on either allegra/cetrizine (same as zyrtec) for 2 years before I quit for the first time early this year. It itched really bad for a week before calming down. Sadly, about 2 months ago, had a bad allergic attack just before exams and had to take cetrizine again. Am having a way worse time quitting it now. The itching is just way worse and constant, instead of being intermittent last time around. cold compress or hot water bath helps, but being in a dorm doesn't provide with much access to both. If you are able to soldier through a couple weeks of horrible itching, then would suggest quit and just never look back. This drug has certainly ruined my life for sure. The worst part is that once you quit taking the med, you'll realize that even your sensitivity to allergens goes down. I'm not even kidding. I'm allergic to dust, smoke, pollen, cat hair, you know things that I can't really avoid since I don't live in a first world nation. When I'm on the med, even going out is a nightmare because even a little exposure to said allergens makes me cough and blocked sinuses. But in the months leading up to starting cetrizine again, I noticed that just regular steaming and avoiding dust heavy places was enough to go through a normal day outside. I could even go back to playing basketball since I love it so much. The biggest mistake I've made this year was to take that cetrizine pill again. I'm having to deal with months of bad health in exchange for 2 days of relief. Couldn't go out or travel or play again because it increases sensitivity. I really hate these parts of modern medicine.

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