I’m an Addict, But It’s Not What You Think! — The Zyrtec Nightmare
Addiction and chemical dependence run deep in my blood.
My family isn’t unique in that. In fact, in 2011 it was estimated that approximately 20.6 million people in the U.S over the age of 12 have an addiction to illicit drugs and/or alcohol.
But that doesn’t even include addiction to prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
You’re probably thinking about drugs like OxyContin, Hyrdocodone, Morphine, Demerol, Percocet, etc.
But what about the over-the-counter (OTC) stuff that seems totally harmless?
Let me tell you about my OTC addiction/dependence.
But first….
For the purposes of this article, I will not elaborate on or debate about the differences between addiction and dependence. If you’d like to learn more about the similarities and differences click here.
“Addiction encompasses both a mental and physical reliance on a given substance. “ AddictionCenter by Delphi Behavioral Health Group
My History with Zyrtec (Cetirizine)
Yeah, you read that right.
Zyrtec — The popular antihistamine medicine offered in both prescription and over the counter doses.
I bet you didn’t see that one coming, huh?
While going through immunotherapy/allergy shot treatment, I was advised by my allergist to use Zyrtec. I’ve been a faithful user ever since, for nearly 9 years.
And I must say, Zyrtec has done an incredible job at suppressing my allergic reactions. So incredible, in fact, I never even considered switching to a different medicine.
Eventually, I reached the end of my allergy shot treatment, tested out of nearly all of my allergens (whooo!) and started considering getting off the allergy medicines entirely. But I wasn’t really in any hurry. I had no side effects from the drug.
Or did I?
When I Realized There Was A Problem
Over the years and at seemingly random times, I had trouble with intense itching. At first, I thought it was dry skin, but even the mammoths of moisturizers didn’t phase it.
I thought it could be hormones. Estrogen itching, perhaps.
I’d notice it at times while traveling and always attributed it to using hotel soap or perhaps even different laundry detergent. Looking back, that should have been a red flag because I have never had any issues with soaps, detergents or lotions.
But recently, I noticed that it was ONLY happening on days I had not taken my Zyrtec. When traveling, it was never uncommon for me to skip my allergy medicines, like Zyrtec, completely.
Ah ha, I have found the common denominator.
But even then, I thought that perhaps I had developed an allergy to something that caused the itching and the Zyrtec blocked the histamine release from the allergy exposure. As soon as I would take a dose, the itching was gone within the hour!
Then it hit me.
I’ve been extensively tested for environmental allergies. If there was something I was THIS allergic to, enough to cause this level of itching, it would have certainly shown up on my allergy tests.
And that is when I turned to my good friend, Google.
Holy Crap — I’m Having Zyrtec Withdrawals!
I could not believe my eyes. Zyrtec (Cetirizine) withdrawal is a REAL THING and I’m experiencing it!
There was even a medical study done called, “ Unbearable Pruritus after Withdrawal of (Levo)cetirizine.”
By the way, pruritus means ITCHING!
I read hundreds of consumer reports, blogs, articles, etc. from people who have experienced a variety of side effects both on and off of Zyrtec. Read some of them for yourself here!
I joined a Facebook group called “Kicking the Big Z” full of people going through this SAME thing.
Doctors who have never heard of this are suggesting things like an autoimmune disease instead, leaving people in sheer panic.
“I have brain fog, low mood, and my once brilliant brain is like it’s on slow motion.”
Kicking the Big Z (Zyrtec or Cetirizine Withdrawal) Facebook Group Member
My 2 years old daughter takes Zyrtec for 8 months. Whenever I try to stop it, she is full of red spots and she doesn’t sleep at night. We’ve seen 100 doctors, none of them believes the “theory of Zyrtec withdrawal symptoms”.
Kicking the Big Z (Zyrtec or Cetirizine Withdrawal) Facebook Group Member
Comedian, Matt Bellassai recently even tweeted about his own withdrawal experience:
i’ve been aggressively itchy for the last few days (please hold your applause) and just learned it’s because i stopped taking zyrtec???????
i am equal parts mad at ~big allergy pharma~ and grateful that it isn’t bed bugs
- Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) April 9, 2019
But It Isn’t Just About the Withdrawals
There is more to this story than the withdrawal symptoms.
What about what can happen to your body while taking Zyrtec, especially long term?
Once they’ve gotten past the hellacious itching, people who have gone off Ceterizine report lower fatigue levels, weight loss, decreased anxiety, improved liver function, and a barrage of other “ oh my god, I didn’t know Zyrtec was causing that “ improvements.
Many people report dealing with the aftermath of Zyrtec for many years even after stopping the drug.
Well…I don’t know about you, but that was enough to seal the deal for me.
My Zyrtec DT Diary — The Withdrawal
- Day 1: Noticeable but mild itchiness — bad headache — made the above discovery and decided to cease use of Zyrtec completely.
- Day 2: Intense spontaneous itching. When I say “intense itching,” I mean INTENSE. This isn’t a cute little itchy-scratchy tickle. No, this is a deep down in your soul itch that nothing, except the accused drug itself, will fix. I had a headache. I was nauseous. I wanted to take the Zyrtec so badly just to get some relief, but I pushed through. I took a bubble bath with lavender Epsom salts, downed some melatonin and attempted sleep.
- Day 3: After a disrupted and itchy night of sleep, I woke up to only mild itching. Maybe the worst is over? Not quite. As the evening approached, the mild itch turned back into an intense and relentless itch primarily on my scalp, top of arms, shoulder blades, and the tops of my legs. It took me hours to fall asleep.
- Day 4: I woke up itching, terribly. I itched spontaneously and in random areas of my body throughout the day. My skin is red and bruised in some areas from continual scratching. I do feel a bit of an energy and mood increase today despite the awful itching. I bought roll-on Aspercreme with 4% lidocaine to spot treat — it helped by providing temporary relief.
The relentless itch lasted until day 9 at which time, it STOPPED. Hallelujah!
I am now a couple of months into my Cetirizine-free life and would you believe that I still have periodic episodes of scratch-till-I-bruise itching?
Fortunately, the episodes are not frequent but it is super crazy that even though the itching stopped for a month or so, it popped back up out of nowhere.
Insider Tips on Surviving Zyrtec Withdrawals
These tips are a compilation of things that worked for me during my withdrawals and suggestions I have seen from other withdrawal warriors:
- Aspercreme Roll-On with 4% Lidocaine
- CBD oil before bed
- Anything, even clothing, that applies pressure to the itchy areas
- Vitamin C
- Quercetin
- Weaning off the antihistamine by reducing the dosage gradually
- Firm bristle brush for scratching (this will help cut down on bruising caused by your fingers) and for improved drainage of the lymphatic system
- Low histamine diet
- Hot showers (but be sure to moisturize well after!)
- Cerave Anti-Itch Lotion
- Patience
So, Is Zyrtec the Devil Incarnate? — What is REALLY Causing This?
I’m a logical and reasonable person (or so I like to think) so all of this left me thinking: There are lots of antihistamines out there so why is the withdrawal from the Big Z specifically, so freaking bad?
Dr. Vincent C. Tubiolo, M.D Ohio told Consumer Affairs, “The short answer is that there is no scientific evidence that I am aware of that supports the claim that several patients have regarding a type of ‘rebound’ worsening of symptoms after stopping antihistamine therapy.”
Sorry Doc, but the NCBI published study done in 2016 says otherwise:
“Based on the cases reported to the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb, we suggest a causal relationship between the withdrawal of (levo)cetirizine and the occurrence of unbearable pruritus. The Naranjo assessment score ranged from two to four for all the cases, indicating a possible relationship. Healthcare professionals should be aware that in some patients this reaction can occur. Gradually reducing the dose of the (levo)cetirizine or a short course of corticosteroids might help in withdrawing the antihistamine.”
The second best “scientific study” I have to offer you, is my own experience.
I did NOT have itching issues before going on Zyrtec. And while on it, I used immunotherapy to reduce or eliminate my allergens: dogs, mold, grass pollen. So, the theory that going off antihistamine caused a return of my allergy symptoms just doesn’t hold water.
But then, what does?
Histamine rebound, that’s what.
I have had several doctors tell me that Zyrtec (Cetirizine) is the most effective over-the-counter antihistamine. I believe them because it was incredibly effective for me when nothing else (Claritin, Allegra, etc.) did the trick.
The goal of any antihistamine is to reduce allergic reaction by blocking the body’s histamine receptors. I found a great explanation from the Cleveland Clinic:
“Antihistamines help relieve symptoms by blocking the action of histamine. Histamine is a naturally occurring substance that is released by the immune system after being exposed to an allergen. When you inhale an allergen, mast cells located in the nose and sinus membranes release histamine. Histamine then attaches to receptors on nearby blood vessels, causing them to enlarge (dilate). Histamine also binds to other receptors located in nasal tissues, causing redness, swelling, itching, and changes in the secretions. By blocking histamine receptors, antihistamines prevent symptoms.”
So, if a drug is mega effective at its job, thereby blocking those histamines entirely, what do you think might happen to those histamine receptors when you stop blocking them (cease use of Zyrtec/Cetirizine)?
Yep, you guessed it.
The body’s histamine receptors wake up from their dormancy and now they notice EVERYTHING and at an exaggerated level.
In Conclusion
I am not a medical professional and cannot give you professional medical advice.
We could hem and haw on the semantics and scientific data all day, but at the end of it, the truth still remains:
In many people, the removal of over-the-counter antihistamines like Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec cause REAL and very undesirable effects.
The withdrawal effects from Zyrtec are likely the most intense because it is seemingly the most effective/powerful at blocking the body’s histamine receptors.
I didn’t write this to tell you to frantically get off your antihistamines. For many, they are lifesaving and absolutely necessary.
But…. if they’re not absolutely necessary for you, it’s a good time to consider some other options.
Got seasonal allergies? Got indoor allergies? Got year-round allergies? Try a glucocorticoid nasal spray when needed. Invest in a nasal wash/neti pot and use it daily. I have this one and love it!
And if you must, take a low dose of antihistamine now and then when needed but try not to make it an everyday thing if you can avoid it.
Most importantly and above all else, listen to YOUR body.
And….if you’re currently going through the withdrawal nightmare, hang in there friend. It gets better.
A special thanks to Brooke Shaden (http://brookeshaden.com/) for allowing me to use these phenomenal images!