Can I take Zyrtec only as needed?

Can I use cetirizine (Zyrtec) only when I need it? Yes, you can take cetirizine (Zyrtec) only when you need it if you have allergy symptoms once in a while.

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Should you take Zyrtec everyday or as needed?

Depending on your symptoms, you can take antihistamines: Every day, to help keep daily symptoms under control. Only when you have symptoms. Before being exposed to things that often cause your allergy symptoms, such as a pet or certain plants.

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Do you have to take Zyrtec consistently for it to work?

They work quickly to help get symptoms under control. But if taken every day, they can also help prevent symptoms from starting.

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What happens if you suddenly stop taking Zyrtec?

When a person stops taking their medication, their body will produce more histamine to make up for the lack of antihistamine. This results in extreme itching. It's common for someone who's addicted to an antihistamine to scratch until they're raw and bleeding.

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Is it safe to take Zyrtec every single day?

Cetirizine is unlikely to do you any harm if you take it for a long time. However it's best to take cetirizine only for as long as you need to. If you take it regularly over a long period there's a very small chance of severe itching if you stop treatment suddenly.

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How to use Cetirizine? (Zyrtec, Reactine, Prevalin) - Doctor Explains

20 related questions found

How many days in a row can you have Zyrtec?

Is it okay to take ZYRTEC® over a long period of time? The ZYRTEC® package label doesn't state a limit on how long you can take ZYRTEC®. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions, especially if you're taking other medicines or being treated for any other conditions.

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Do you need to take antihistamines every day?

Taking antihistamines

If the allergen can be removed, you may only need to take antihistamines for a short time. If you're allergic to something that's often around, you may need longer treatment. Some people take antihistamines every day, but usually under medical guidance.

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Can you 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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What are the long term effects of taking Zyrtec daily?

Rarely, they can cause acute self-limited liver injury. One study has reported a more serious long-term effect, a 3.5-fold increase in the risk of gliomas, a common type of brain tumor in patients with long-term antihistamine use for allergic conditions.

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Why was Zyrtec taken off the market?

Sandoz issued a voluntary recall of 1,023,430 units of Zyrtec (10 mg) capsules as a result of failed impurities and a specification being reported for impurity at the 21-month stability time point, according to an FDA Enforcement Report.

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How do you wean off antihistamines?

In general, wean gradually by 25-50% of the daily dose every 1-4 weeks. If reason for deprescribing is serious adverse effects, wean faster or cease immediately.

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

Some medications for treating allergies, like Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Allegra (fexofenadine) last 24 hours and don't need to be taken at night. But if you're combating allergy symptoms with a different antihistamine first thing in the morning, keep in mind that its effects will only last six to eight hours.

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When should I stop taking Zyrtec?

See your doctor if your mild allergy symptoms have not improved after three days of treatment with Zyrtec, or if your hives persist for more than six weeks despite taking Zyrtec. Discontinue Zyrtec once your allergy symptoms have resolved.

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Can you go through withdrawal from Zyrtec?

Some patients have reported severe itching as a symptom of Zyrtec withdrawal. This itching may begin as soon as 12 hours after the last dose of Zyrtec and can affect every part of the body. Some patients report itching so severe that they cannot control scratching and have caused sores all over their bodies.

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Which is the safest antihistamine?

Claritin and Zyrtec are effective and safe for most people with minor allergies.

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What are the negative side effects of Zyrtec?

Common Zyrtec 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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Is Zyrtec safe to take year round?

It's generally safe to take the newer generation of antihistamines daily if you have year-round allergy symptoms.

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Does Zyrtec make you gain weight?

Histamine plays a role in our appetite. When antihistamines block histamine, our appetite can increase. This, plus side effects like drowsiness, could lead to weight gain.

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Can you feel sick from stopping Zyrtec?

There have been reports, through few studies, of withdrawal symptoms in people attempting to stop taking Zyrtec. These people report unbearable pruritus (itching) and/or hives. These symptoms are generally less if people taper, or gradually reduce, their dose of Zyrtec over a period of time.

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What can I take for 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.

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Do antihistamines stop working if you take them every day?

Official answer. Yes, most people can take antihistamines every day, if they have daily symptoms of their allergies. The number of times you take an antihistamine each day depends on the type of antihistamine.

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Is there a downside to antihistamines?

Side effects of antihistamines

sleepiness (drowsiness) and reduced co-ordination, reaction speed and judgement – do not drive or use machinery after taking these antihistamines. dry mouth. blurred vision. difficulty peeing.

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Which antihistamine is best for everyday use?

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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Who should not take Zyrtec?

You should not use Zyrtec-D if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, severe high blood pressure (hypertension), severe coronary artery disease, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are allergic to hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril). Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.

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Is Zyrtec good for sinus congestion?

Zyrtec-D® is a combination of cetirizine and pseudoephedrine. This medication is both an antihistamine and a decongestant. It treats or prevents symptoms of allergies. It reduces congestion, sneezing, runny nose and itching in your nose or throat.

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