What happens if you take Zyrtec long term?

“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.

Is it OK to take Zyrtec for years?

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.

Is it harmful to take Zyrtec everyday?

Is it safe to take Zyrtec every day? Yep. "When taken in the recommended doses, antihistamines can be taken daily. This is especially true with Zyrtec, since it doesn't show decreasing effectiveness if used daily," says Sima Patel, MD, an allergist at New York Allergy & Sinus Centers.

What are the side effects of long-term use of Zyrtec?

Tolerance is not a problem. 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.

What are the dangers of Zyrtec?

Drowsiness, tiredness, and dry mouth may occur. Stomach pain may also occur, especially in children. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Side effects due to prolonged use of antihistamines - Dr. Sriram Nathan

What does Zyrtec do to the brain?

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

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.

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.

Can you go through withdrawal from Zyrtec?

Most commonly abused antihistamines include Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Allegra. The antihistamine withdrawal timeline depends on the specific drug. The withdrawal signs usually begin between 48 and 96 hours after the last dose. They usually peak between days 3 and 5 and can last between 1 and 7 days.

Does Zyrtec make you gain weight?

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

Is Zyrtec linked to dementia?

Neither Zyrtec nor ipratropium nasal spray are likely to significantly increase risk of dementia, nor of other anticholinergic side effects, such as blurry vision, constipation or fast heart rate.

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.

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.

Why should older people not take Zyrtec?

The well-known side effects of the first-generation antihistamines, sedation and decreased reaction time, are more pronounced in the elderly. The anticholinergic effects are drying of the mouth and eyes, blurred vision, urinary retention, and constipation.

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.

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.

Can Zyrtec cause anxiety?

One study also suggests cetirizine and hydroxyzine have a greater chance of causing anxiety and mood changes than other antihistamines. Hydroxyzine can also be used to treat anxiety conditions. So if you notice your symptoms worsen after starting this medication, contact your provider to discuss it further.

Is Zyrtec used by weight or age?

Cetirizine (Zyrtec, generic cetirizine) dosing information

Give once daily as needed. NOTES: 1) Dosing is based on AGE, not weight.

Can Zyrtec cause high blood pressure?

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.

Why is Zyrtec not helping my allergies?

If there is no histamine, then antihistamines can't relieve symptoms. If antihistamines aren't working for you and you have allergy-like symptoms, it may not be a bad allergy season—but instead something non-allergic you're reacting to.

Does Zyrtec cause mental health issues?

Known central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects of cetirizine include anxiety, depression, insomnia, and paranoia.

What are the 9 memory robbing drugs?

Examples: Alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril) and triazolam (Halcion).

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.

Do any vitamins interact with Zyrtec?

No interactions were found between multivitamin and Zyrtec.

What happens if you take Zyrtec before bed?

While some over-the-counter antihistamines can cause drowsiness, routinely using them to treat insomnia isn't recommended. Antihistamines, mainly used to treat symptoms of hay fever or other allergies, can induce drowsiness by working against a chemical produced by the central nervous system (histamine).