Can I take Zyrtec for the rest of my life?

Because antihistamines like Claritin and Zyrtec are now available over the counter, we can trust that they're generally safe for longterm use, says Shih.

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Is it OK to take Zyrtec long-term?

First-generation antihistamines come with an increased risk of certain side effects and drug interactions, so they are not generally advised for long-term usage.

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Can you become dependent on Zyrtec?

People who take antihistamines regularly may build up a tolerance to the drug, which means they need to take higher and higher doses to get the same effect. This can lead to addiction. Antihistamines are often addictive because they work by blocking histamine receptors.

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Can you take antihistamines every day for life?

Official answer. Yes, most people can take antihistamines every day, if they have daily symptoms of their allergies.

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Can you take Zyrtec every day?

Yes, you can take cetirizine (Zyrtec) only when you need it if you have allergy symptoms once in a while. But if you have allergy symptoms on a daily basis, taking it regularly according to the manufacturer's directions might give you the most relief from your allergies.

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Zyrtec

40 related questions found

What are the side effects of taking Zyrtec daily?

Common side effects may include:
  • drowsiness, tiredness;
  • dizziness, feeling light-headed;
  • feeling hot, sweating;
  • numbness, tingling, burning pain;
  • decreased sense of taste;
  • headache;
  • upset stomach, nausea, constipation; or.
  • dry mouth, sore throat.

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How many days in a row can you take Zyrtec?

Is Zyrtec-D safe to take every day? Zyrtec-D is recommended for short-term use only. Zyrtec-D contains pseudoephedrine which should not be taken for more than 10 days at a time. If you find yourself needing Zyrtec-D for long-term nasal congestion, consult your healthcare provider.

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Can you take antihistamines for the rest of your life?

“The most common side effects you tend to see are fatigue, headaches, and dry mouth,” says Shih. If you're someone for whom the benefits of regular antihistamine use far outweighs the occasional minor side effect, longterm use is safe for most adults and children, he adds.

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What happens if you take antihistamines for years?

Long term use of some antihistamines may increase your risk of dementia. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is vital for memory and learning.

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What is the safest antihistamine?

Claritin and Zyrtec are effective and safe for most people with minor allergies. However, as with all medications, there may be some side effects. Loratadine—present in Claritin—may not be safe for people with severe liver conditions.

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How do you get over Zyrtec withdrawal?

Some people have found that switching to a different antihistamine such as fexofenadine (Allegra) or loratadine (Claritin) can ease the itching from cetirizine withdrawal. One reader shared this experience: “I used fexofenadine for a few weeks after stopping the cetirizine.

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What does Zyrtec do to the brain?

Histamine H1 receptor antagonist cetirizine impairs working memory processing speed, but not episodic memory.

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What happens when I stop taking Zyrtec?

"Itching can occur within one-two days of stopping Zyrtec or Xyzal after long term daily use (months to years). It usually lasts a few days and then resolves. The intensity of the itching can be from mild to severe. Occasionally, a brief burst of oral steroids may be needed to help the patient get off the drug.

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Can long term use of Zyrtec cause weight gain?

When antihistamines block histamine, our appetite can increase. This, plus side effects like drowsiness, could lead to weight gain. Your risk of gaining weight from antihistamines may depend on many factors. But a healthy diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors can help you manage your risk.

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Can Zyrtec cause weight gain?

Antihistamines that can cause weight gain include: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl and others) Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Levocetirizine (Xyzal)

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What allergy medicine can I take everyday?

Allergists recommend long-acting, non-sedating antihistamines — ones that won't make you sleepy — for everyday use. Though you may know them by their brand names, the generic versions tackle the same problems: Cetirizine (Zyrtec®, Aller-Tec®, Wall-Zyr®). Fexofenadine (Allegra®, Aller-ease®, Aller-Fex®, Wal-Fex®).

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How do I get rid of hayfever permanently?

There's currently no cure for hay fever, but most people are able to relieve symptoms with treatment, at least to a certain extent. The most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid exposure to pollen.

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Why was Zyrtec taken off the market?

Greg Panico, a spokesman for Janssen Pharmaceutica, which is owned by Johnson and Johnson, said that the withdrawal was a voluntary business decision. “The decision to voluntarily discontinue it recognises that the allergy marketplace is crowded with a number of other drugs,” Mr Panico said.

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When does Zyrtec stop working?

One reason antihistamines quit working may be because you have new allergies or your allergies have gotten worse. In people with multiple allergy triggers, the immune response may strengthen over time, making your allergy symptoms worsen. And the worse your allergies are, the less effective antihistamines become.

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Is it better to take Zyrtec at night or in the morning?

Official answer. Cetirizine can be taken at any time of the day. In most people it is non-sedating, so they take it in the morning. However, a percentage of people do find it to be sedating so if it does make you drowsy it is best to take it in the evening.

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What should you not take with Zyrtec?

While most anticholinergics can be modified or monitored when taken with loratadine or cetirizine, several should be avoided entirely, including aclidinium, cimetropium, glycopyrrolate, glycopyrronium, ipratropium, oxatomide, tiotropium, and umeclidinium.

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Can Zyrtec cause memory loss?

First-generation (older) allergy medications may cause memory loss. However, newer antihistamines, cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) are less likely to cause problems with memory and cognition.

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Can I stop Zyrtec cold turkey?

A: Neither the label nor the medical literature warns that stopping cetirizine suddenly can result in unbearable itching. Nevertheless, visitors to www.PeoplesPharmacy.com have reported that the hives and itching can be agonizing and last for weeks. Some people have reported success with gradual tapering of the dose.

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Is Zyrtec used for anxiety?

Antihistamines aren't an approved treatment for anxiety that lasts more than 12 months. They're also not for use with serious psychotic or other disorders that require specialized care from a psychiatrist.

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What does Zyrtec do to the heart?

For allergy sufferers with heart disease, medicines such as Allegra, Zyrtec or Claritin should be safe. However, medicines containing decongestants — including Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D — could increase your blood pressure and heart rate or interfere with your heart medication.

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