Zyrtec User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)
Zyrtec has an average rating of 5.7 out of 10 from a total of 189 reviews on Drugs.com. 43% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 35% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Zyrtec
- Anonymous
- August 20, 2009
For Allergic Rhinitis "I just took Zyrtec for the first time last night. I slept great, but now that I am awake, I feel so tired. I am not experiencing any of my allergy symptoms, but I am on Nasonex too. Nasonex and Zyrtec work great together, the Zyrtec is the antihistamine, and the Nasonex is just a generic allergy medication. I am very sluggish, but people have said that it wears off within a couple of days. I am a little drawn back though, people have been saying it causes problems with their moods, but I trust my doctor who prescribed it to me. Hope you all feel better soon."
- Hatto...
- December 23, 2008
"It was one of my worst days ever with Hay Fever. Ten sodden handkerchiefs and still fluids literally pouring from my nose and eyes. My throat felt like it was closing and I was choking and coughing. I just had to go to the Pharmacy for something or risk collapsing. For the first time I decided to try Zyrtec.Wow. it was like magic. Within a minute or two the coughing stopped, the fluid loss stopped and I felt normal again. This stuff is sensationally effective! That night I slept like a baby with no nasal obstruction at all. I awoke refreshed and free from symptoms. It remained so all the next day. I then took another Zyrtec 24 hrs later and will do so until the pack is empty. A big big thankyou to the person who discovered it."
Frequently asked questions
- Zyrtec vs Claritin: Which is more effective for allergies?
- Can I take Allegra in the morning and Zyrtec in the evening?
- Can you take antihistamines when pregnant?
- I took Zyrtec for 1 year but have now stopped. How long does it stay in the body?
- Anonymous
- September 5, 2011
For Allergic Rhinitis "This is the only medication that has worked for me so far (besides Benadryl), but it gives me horrible dry mouth and eyes after using it for a few days, and if I take it for longer than that my tongue starts to hurt because of the dryness. I would give it a 10 if it weren't for those symptoms."
- DRS
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- December 22, 2020
For Allergic Rhinitis "I suffered from reoccurring respiratory infections 2-3 times a year as well as seasonal allergies. A nurse recommended I start taking Zyrtec daily so I did. It has been over 3 years now and I have not had so much as a cold in that time. Now, in the spring I have to supplement it with Benadryl as the hay fever can get bad at certain times and make my eyes itch. But overall I am much better off respiratory infection wise. I also take L-Lysine daily and my doctor had made the comment that these 2 combined could possibly act as a prophylactic against COVID as well. Thank you, Zyrtec!"
Are you taking this medicine?
- life...
- April 30, 2008
For Allergic Rhinitis "Zyrtec has been a wonder drug. all of my life i have sufferd from allergies. its effected every aspect of my life from relationships to pets and school. ANy one with allergies knows when you wake up in the morning and as soon as you walk out the door you start feeling like you have the flu. Ive been using Zyrtec for 6 months now and i feel wonderful!!! i can play in the yard with my kids and stay outside as long as i'd like to"
- xteew...
- April 13, 2017
For Urticaria "I've had chronic hives for most of my life. I can't tell you the different types of medical "cocktails" I've been on. I've tried doxepin up to 100 mg.... made me loopy all day long. Don't really want to take anything that will mess with my brain. I've taken Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Zyrtec w/Zantac, I've switched antacids --- be careful with Prilosec. That will lower your B12 quicker than anything. Mine got so low, I had to start giving myself B12 shots from taking the Prilosec. Nothing is working for me! I am miserable beyond comprehension! If anyone has any other suggestion, please post. Thank you."
More FAQ
- Is Generic Zyrtec Available?
- How do you choose the right allergy medication?
- Should cetirizine be taken at bedtime or upon awakening?
- Cano
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 5, 2021
For Allergic Rhinitis "I used Zyrtec for indoor allergies (dust and pet dander) for 2 months. I was directed by my allergist to quit taking it 2 weeks prior to allergy tests and within 2-3 days of stopping the once daily Zyrtec, I broke out in hives from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet (I've never had hives in my life.) The hives lasted about 10 days with the first 3 days being the worst. After doing more research on Zyrtec I found that withdrawal hives is VERY common. I will never use Zyrtec again!"
- bano
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- April 7, 2021
For Allergic Rhinitis "I was on Zyrtec for 3 years for allergies. I finally scheduled an appointment with an allergy doctor and had to stop the meds before the appointment. After two days, I had intense itching/ burning on my palms and soles of my feet. To the point I had to cave and take a half a pill and it would immediately subside after 20 minutes. I stopped the meds after doing some research and seeing how bad withdrawals are. It’s been almost a month since I last took half a pill. I’ve broken out into random rashes on my neck and chest almost daily. Also, every time my boyfriend kisses me anywhere except for my face I get a red rash. Fun times. Do not use Zyrtec!"
- Miche...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- January 5, 2022
For Urticaria "I stopped taking Zyrtec 2 days ago and was woken up by the uncontrollable itching last night all over my body. It was terrible. I tried to use a topical cream to control the itch but it got so bad I cut a pill in half and the itching went away within the hour. I wish I knew about this when I started taking a pill every day for the last couple years. I am going to wean off slowly and never buying this again. The fact they do not warn the user of this side effect of rebound itching is extremely concerning - who knows what else this is doing to our body."
- Newto...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 29, 2021
For Urticaria "I am having hives for the first time in my life, I am 40. This started soon after I gave birth a few months ago. Blood tests don’t say anything but I am just sad to know if there is going to be an end to this ever. I take Zyrtec every two days. I was never on any medication and my hive disease has not shown any improvement on days without Zyrtec. Any advise is welcome. One of the things I want to know, Will I get addicted to Zyrtec ( prescribed)?"
- Sneezy...
- January 14, 2009
For Allergic Rhinitis "I have been using Zyrtec for the last three years with great results. I am back to running outdoors without the urticaria, sneezing and itchy eyes. Also, I can visit friends who have pets without needing to leave after five minutes. "
- Unknown
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 9, 2021
For Allergic Rhinitis "This stuff worked great in the beginning for my allergies and overall health. I had terrible itchy skin and post nasal drip that this medication helped with. It also gave me a healthy appetite. As I used to be underweight at 140 lbs most of my life. Now I’m now a tall 217 lbs dude and I feel healthy! The only negative side effect is this medication gave me terrible muscle pain and joint pain. I no longer take it but it did help me for quite a while. I still have a healthy appetite and maintaining the weight after being off of it for so long now."
- Ashle...
- June 30, 2008
For Allergic Rhinitis "I've suffered from allergies for 10-15 years. I was prescribed Claritin; all it did was make me tired. I was then prescribed Clarinex, which worked wonders, but after I lost my health insurance, I couldn't afford the prescription anymore. Once I learned Zyrtec had gone OTC, I decided to try it. I've been taking it for about three weeks, and, for the most part, it's working great. To combat the drowsiness, I take it before bed. Still have flares that require other medication, but happy overall."
- Manso...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 11, 2016
For Urticaria "Hey!! I was suffered by chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) past 5 months, So initially i consulted a dermatologist and he said "It's just a food reaction so he gave some drugs", after 1 week it got worse and I'm worried but continued to take the medicine he gave. Parallely I searched about urticaria in internet and understood I have CIU and started worried every night i got this hives, it was painful to sleep (all over body), after some days i got on my face and head its was stressful and physically and mentally. Again I approached my doctor he said "it's not easy to identify why this hives occur", and he gave zyrtec 10 msg drug i use to take after my night meal every day. Later a month i asked my self why i need take this rest of my lif"
- Mom2One
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 12, 2021
For Allergic Rhinitis "I have taken this for the first time ever and feel absolutely awful. I lost all appetite, am so tired and lethargic and have been so itchy tonight that I cannot sleep. I will never take this ever again. I just hope it leaves my body very soon. It did not even seem to help my allergies at all. I was so moody and depressed from this medicine on top of everything else. Never again. :("
- Zyrtec...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 30, 2021
For Urticaria "DO NOT take Zyrtec. The withdraw symptoms of Zyrtec are not worth it when you try to go off of it. Intense, unbearable itching. Hands, arms, legs, feet, chest, scalp. Itching that makes you wish you could shed your skin like some kind of bug. It's been over a week and I'm still itching. Claritin helped on day 4 and a half pill on day 8 to reduce itching to get me functional again. Although now I'm super dry. Be aware of that if breastfeeding. Only time will tell how long it takes me to get back to normal. Save yourself and don't get started with this med."
- Ju-Ju
- July 7, 2008
For Allergic Rhinitis "I have been taking Zyrtec about 3 months now..and one side effect that i have not seen is i sound like i have laryngitis all the time. My throat is too dry and scratchy. Other than that it works great..no itchey eyes, sneezing and such!!!"
- stick...
- March 9, 2009
For Allergic Rhinitis "This stuff works great. Clear head and reduced asthma reaction to allergens. The only problem is if I take it at night it is real hard to get out of bed in the morning and I am usually groggy for the first couple hours at work."
- Miche...
- August 15, 2020
For Allergic Rhinitis "This is the only allergy medicine I use after trying multiple ones. It works best for me without any side effects except very slight drowsiness. I also have an anxiety disorder but this medicine doesn’t effect it at all, if anything it helps. I take as needed and sometimes daily if my allergies are bad or if my asthma kicks in. I’ve used it on and off for the last 7 years. My allergist recommended it, and said it works the best for me after allergy skin tests."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- April 12, 2022
For Allergic Rhinitis "It sucks if you quit taking it. I had been taking it for 2 years. Just be prepared for for your skin to to itch and crawl like you have bugs all over you. Don’t take it because if you stop it’s miserable .."
- AZJJ
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- May 21, 2022
For Allergic Rhinitis "I had been using this several times/week... for years... at the same time, I had strange gut pain, mild nausea, and generally, days where I just felt lousy... many days with anxiety and fatigue. My eyes get extremely dry overnight too. I tried so many things, including many doctor visits, leading to CT scans and ultrasounds... nothing found. I would sometimes have some pretty good days... never realizing that the bad days occurred when I took Zyrtec. I use this site often,as I am very sensitive to all drugs and supplements, but never dreamed that Zyrtec could be the source of most of my issues... After reading the negative comments... I stopped taking it... and my gut pain went away almost immediately, as did the general malaise and anxiety. I had thought these popular OTC antihistamines were harmless!! I tried Claritin and Allegra and they are no bargain either, but not nearly as bad as this nasty drug. Good old Benadryl works fine... but is not recommended for daily use."
- Rolopup
- October 7, 2016
For Urticaria "CIU or Chronic Idiopathic Urticia has been my recent diagnosis. I've had outbreaks of Hives for many many years, lasting from weeks to months. Most recently I've been seeing a specialist and he has me on cyclosporine. tough drug to take but cleared my hives and if I have an occasional small outbreak, zrytec does the trick and knocks it out. I also had a shot that was doctor recommended and the first dose cleared my hives but second did not, so on to the cyclosprine"
- Be ca...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 1, 2022
For Allergic Rhinitis "Don’t take!!!! I started taking Zyrtec at the end of February due to fluid in my ears. My medical provider recommended taking it every day through spring. I started feeling very sad and thought I was just because of the long, cold winter. I was also feeling tired all the time and napping more than usual. I thought it was from starting work earlier at my new job. I had my annual physical yesterday and my MD noticed I had an irregular heart rate and an EKG verified this. She is referring me to a cardiologist. When I got home from my appointment, I remembered that the only thing that has changed is that I started taking Zyrtec so I didn’t take it today and I swear that I feel 10 years younger. My joints don’t ache, I have energy and I feel less anxious…. I plan to see the cardiologist but I would bet my house that my heart rate is back to normal without the Zyrtec…."
- Pepci...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 26, 2021
For Urticaria "Had an allergic reaction to Pepcid ac (first time taking it) about half hour after taking it , my face started to itchy and swell, also felt like pins and needles on top of my head. I went to the emergency room waited about 4 hrs to see the doctor by that time swelling had gone down and symptoms were improving. They sent me home 3:30am slept for about 2 hrs when I woke up I had very itchy hives on my legs arms and stomach, they would go away during the day, but would come back every night, day 3 took a Zyrtec and woke up next day with no hives!! Probably with take a Zyrtec for the next couple days"
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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For Urticaria "I had never heard of hives and I'm 54! We moved to my Mother in laws house after she passed away. And just thought was something in house. I have been to ER 2x in a month. The Dr in ER diagnosed as urticaria both times got steroid shots and prescriptions same both times. Nurse said take Pepcid and Zyrtec. But some days are so bad!"