Zyrtec withdrawal - apparently a thing

[TridenT]

So, my doctor told me I could go off Zyrtec as a test after I had gone through enough of my immunotherapy treatment. I came down to 1 pill of Zyrtec in my bottle of 365. I was coming up on a weekend trip. I go on my trip, leaving Friday, and having taken Zyrtec but leave the bottle home. I come back today and by hour 80 since I last took the drug, I was itching all over insanely. I felt like I was having symptoms of drug withdrawal. I understood druggies a little too well. I figured maybe it was something in the water or from having changed geographic landscapes or who knows what. Nope, it's fucking Zyrtec. I've since taken my last pill and will be buying more in the morning. I was about to tear my skin off. Itching EVERYWHERE. My skin is red in many parts but within having taken the pill in the last hour, I'm feeling immensely better.

This drug is ridiculous. Seems I'll have to lower the dosage gradually over the course of the next 3-4 months. Unreal.

I mean, the drug works but this is not something I've known about AT ALL. It would explain why I got so itchy before when I stopped taking the drug. This is one of the longest sprints I've ever gone on that I've taken the drug.

 

[JEDIYoda]

What do they say - an itch in time.......actually it is no fun what your going through!!

 

[Capt Caveman]

Nope. I take the Costco version for allergies. Once a day during the non-winter months. Stopped taking it a month ago when the weather got below freezing and have never had any withdrawal symptoms. You're a delicate wall flower and that will never change.

 

[MongGrel]

Nope. I take the Costco version for allergies. Once a day during the non-winter months. Stopped taking it a month ago when the weather got below freezing and have never had any withdrawal symptoms. You're a delicate wall flower and that will never change.

You have already whacked that mole, so I'll just agree.

 

[Red Squirrel]

My guess is the itching is temporary until your body gets used to not having the drug. Wonder if there is a drug you can take to help with the itching, then hopefully getting off THAT drug will be fine.

But I'm no medical expert so just a wild guess here.

 

[Murloc]

I'm sure your doctor could inform you about this.

 

[cbrunny]

You should have just put on your suit.

 

[Ken g6]

I wonder if you're having an allergic reaction to something, e.g. your detergent, but the Zyrtec is suppressing it?

 

[GagHalfrunt]

My guess is the itching is temporary until your body gets used to not having the drug. Wonder if there is a drug you can take to help with the itching, then hopefully getting off THAT drug will be fine.

But I'm no medical expert so just a wild guess here.

I also wouldn't rule out the chance that it's a psychosomatic effect. If you quit a drug that you think it doing something you will expect the symptoms to return and that alone is enough to make you *feel* that the symptoms have returned.

 

[Humpy]

Huh, I start and stop taking Zyrtec and Allegra randomly as needed and never had an issue.

 

[JSt0rm]

So, my doctor told me I could go off Zyrtec as a test after I had gone through enough of my immunotherapy treatment. I came down to 1 pill of Zyrtec in my bottle of 365. I was coming up on a weekend trip. I go on my trip, leaving Friday, and having taken Zyrtec but leave the bottle home. I come back today and by hour 80 since I last took the drug, I was itching all over insanely. I felt like I was having symptoms of drug withdrawal. I understood druggies a little too well. I figured maybe it was something in the water or from having changed geographic landscapes or who knows what. Nope, it's fucking Zyrtec. I've since taken my last pill and will be buying more in the morning. I was about to tear my skin off. Itching EVERYWHERE. My skin is red in many parts but within having taken the pill in the last hour, I'm feeling immensely better.

This drug is ridiculous. Seems I'll have to lower the dosage gradually over the course of the next 3-4 months. Unreal.

I mean, the drug works but this is not something I've known about AT ALL. It would explain why I got so itchy before when I stopped taking the drug. This is one of the longest sprints I've ever gone on that I've taken the drug.

you have the gonasyphaherpalaids. Amazing for a virgin.

 

[Brainonska511]

I used to take that when I was younger and had to stop it for an allergy test. It was awful - for 2-3 days, I was unbearably itchy all over. Never again.

 

[nakedfrog]

I wonder if you're having an allergic reaction to something, e.g. your detergent, but the Zyrtec is suppressing it?

I also wouldn't rule out the chance that it's a psychosomatic effect. If you quit a drug that you think it doing something you will expect the symptoms to return and that alone is enough to make you *feel* that the symptoms have returned.

My vote is for something here (or it's just load of bollocks).

 

[TridenT]

I used to take that when I was younger and had to stop it for an allergy test. It was awful - for 2-3 days, I was unbearably itchy all over. Never again.

Yeah, I had a similar issue when I stopped for allergy testing. It makes sense now. I was thinking I was reacting to everything because the Zyrtec was out of my system. Nope, I was reacting to withdrawal.

 

[clamum]

I understood druggies a little too well.

Pffffft ahahahahahaha

 

[dzoni2k2]

So, my doctor told me I could go off Zyrtec as a test after I had gone through enough of my immunotherapy treatment. I came down to 1 pill of Zyrtec in my bottle of 365. I was coming up on a weekend trip. I go on my trip, leaving Friday, and having taken Zyrtec but leave the bottle home. I come back today and by hour 80 since I last took the drug, I was itching all over insanely. I felt like I was having symptoms of drug withdrawal. I understood druggies a little too well. I figured maybe it was something in the water or from having changed geographic landscapes or who knows what. Nope, it's fucking Zyrtec. I've since taken my last pill and will be buying more in the morning. I was about to tear my skin off. Itching EVERYWHERE. My skin is red in many parts but within having taken the pill in the last hour, I'm feeling immensely better.

This drug is ridiculous. Seems I'll have to lower the dosage gradually over the course of the next 3-4 months. Unreal.

I mean, the drug works but this is not something I've known about AT ALL. It would explain why I got so itchy before when I stopped taking the drug. This is one of the longest sprints I've ever gone on that I've taken the drug.

Yes, happened to me. It's a rebound effect. Your histamine receptors get very sensitive when you block histamine production. You have to gradually reduce the dose. Fist half tablet for a while, then quarter and so on.