Yes, Zyrtec (cetirizine) can cause dizziness as a common side effect, and vertigo has been reported as a rare side effect in post-marketing reports. Dizziness and lightheadedness are listed side effects of the medication.
The antihistamine in this medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.
A side effect from allergy medication
Dizziness may be a possible side effect, depending on the type of antihistamine that you take. The oldest antihistamines on the market – which tend to cause drowsiness as a side effect – are more likely to cause other side effects, including dizziness, in some people.
70 It is thus generally considered that vestibular suppressants, including antihistamines, should only be administered during the acute phase of vertigo and for a maximum of 3 consecutive days.
Treating Allergy-Induced Vertigo
✔ Avoid Allergens: Try to stay away from what triggers your allergies. This might mean keeping windows closed during pollen season, using air purifiers, or avoiding certain foods. ✔ Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines can help reduce allergy symptoms.
What Does Allergy Induced Vertigo Feel Like? Allergy-induced vertigo feels like any other type of vertigo. Symptoms include dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, nausea, difficulty focusing the eyes, ringing in the ears, and a feeling of spinning or swaying.
To get rid of vertigo fast, immediately sit or lie down in a dark, quiet room, avoid sudden head movements, and try the Epley maneuver if it's likely BPPV, a common inner ear issue, which involves specific head and body tilts to reposition crystals, but see a doctor for persistent vertigo or if you have fall risk. Staying hydrated, managing stress, and getting rest also help, but a professional diagnosis is key to fast, effective treatment.
Meclizine is an antihistamine that prevents symptoms of motion sickness like nausea, vomiting or dizziness. It also prevents and treats vertigo. Vertigo is a condition that causes extreme dizziness. Common brand names of this medication are Antivert®, Dramamine®, Medivert® and Meni-D®.
Zyrtec interactions at a glance
Certain foods trigger histamine release, which can lead to vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) and disrupt blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness or vertigo episodes. Individuals with histamine intolerance may experience worsened vertigo symptoms after consuming histamine-rich foods.
If you're using oral antihistamines very often, you might have wondered if it's OK to keep relying on antihistamines to control symptoms of allergies. The good news is there's no research evidence to suggest regular, long-term use of modern antihistamines is a problem.
Common causes of vertigo may include:
Other possible Zyrtec side effects include nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Severe itching may also appear after you stop taking Zyrtec, especially if you've been taking it long-term. Rare but serious Zyrtec side effects include mood or behavior changes and liver problems.
The elimination half-life of Zyrtec is between 8 to 9 hours. It takes approximately 5.5 x elimination half-life for a medicine to be cleared from your system. For Zyrtec this is 5.5 x 9 hours which is about 2 days.
Some allergy medications, particularly antihistamines, can cause dizziness as a side effect. Older antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, are more likely to cause this feeling. They can affect the central nervous system and lead to drowsiness or lightheadedness.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that the generic product Cetrizin®(cetirizine) is comparable to Zyrtec®(cetirizine) and Aerius® (desloratadine) as an antihistaminic and antiallergic efficacy among allergic rhinitis patients based on skin prick test reaction.
No, cetirizine isn't used for anxiety or vertigo (feeling of spinning or dizziness). It's an antihistamine drug that's approved to treat allergies and hives. Anxiety and vertigo are sometimes treated with other antihistamines.
Most people do not feel drowsy when taking cetirizine, so they often take it in the morning. However, a small number of people do experience sedation. If cetirizine makes you feel drowsy, it is best to take it in the evening. Cetirizine can be taken with or without food.
Antihistamines prevent the histamine response in sensory nerve endings and blood vessels and are effective in treating vertigo.
To get rid of vertigo fast, immediately sit or lie down in a dark, quiet room, avoid sudden head movements, and try the Epley maneuver if it's likely BPPV, a common inner ear issue, which involves specific head and body tilts to reposition crystals, but see a doctor for persistent vertigo or if you have fall risk. Staying hydrated, managing stress, and getting rest also help, but a professional diagnosis is key to fast, effective treatment.
Put in simple terms, “dizziness” is an umbrella term that covers a spinning, lightheaded, unbalanced or woozy sensation. The term “vertigo” is a specific form of dizziness in which you experience a spinning sensation – you either feel like your surroundings are moving around you, or that you're moving.
The Epley maneuver is a canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) that uses a simple approach to treating BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). It involves head movements that move calcium carbonate crystals out of the part of your inner ear where they don't belong.
Yeditepe University Hospitals Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Specialists, who drew attention to the latest research, said "Iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 and D deficiency cause vertigo". The most common inner ear disease causing vertigo is Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo.
Balancing rest and activity is key to managing vertigo effectively. While rest provides much-needed relief during acute episodes, incorporating guided physical activity can improve balance and reduce the frequency of vertigo attacks in the long run.