How to stop zyrtec withdrawal symptoms?

This activity will help you assess your knowledge regarding the side effects and withdrawal symptoms of cetirizine.

Based on the given scenario, determine whether the following statements are true or false. To do this, print or copy this page on blank paper and underline or circle the answer.

Jackie is 36 weeks pregnant and decides to take a stroll in the park on a clear, windy day. As the wind blew, she suddenly inhaled the pollens that came off from the pine trees. She then suddenly felt an itchy sensation in her eyes and eventually had difficulty breathing.

True | False 1. Jackie's allergic reaction was triggered by the inhalation of pollen.

True | False 2. Cetirizine is the biochemical substance released by Jackie's body during her allergic reaction.

True | False 3. Benadryl is a second-generation medication that is less sedating than the early antihistamines.

True | False 4. Runny nose, hives, and trouble breathing are some symptoms of allergies.

True | False 5. A proper dosage of cetirizine must be followed to prevent common reproductive side effects.

True | False 6. Pollen in this scenario is considered an environmental allergen.

True | False 7. Prutus is a medical term for severe itching, especially of undamaged skin.

True | False 8. Jackie should take cetirizine to relieve the symptoms of allergy.

To combat the intense itching which may occur with the cessation of cetirizine (Zyrtec), some patients have worked with a dermatologist to begin a short regime of corticosteroids. Other patients have found that gradually decreasing their dose of Zyrtec makes withdrawal symptoms less severe.

A. We first heard about cetirizine (Zyrtec) withdrawal itching more than a decade ago. Readers reported relentless itching within a few days of stopping this antihistamine. For some people, the itching lasted up to six weeks.

We contacted the FDA about this “discontinuation syndrome.” Initially, there seemed to be skepticism, but eventually the agency published research confirming this reaction (Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, July 5, 2019).

According to Dutch researchers, gradual tapering of the cetirizine dose or a short course of corticosteroids might help alleviate the itching (Drug Safety Case Reports, Dec. 2016).

A few years ago we contacted one of the highest officials at the FDA. Here is what we wrote:

On June 3, 2018 we heard back from another high official at the FDA, Dr. Gerald J. Dal Pan, Director, Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology.

We searched high and low for the article that Dr. Dal Pan alluded to in his response. It took more than a year. Finally, on July 5, 2019 an article appeared in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. It was titled:

We suspect that we (The People’s Pharmacy) represents the “discussed on the internet” part of that background.

The FDA actually cites The People’s Pharmacy in its reference section regarding cetirizine withdrawal itch. Of course we weren’t named in the text:

We still could find nothing in the prescribing information or on the OTC label about Zyrtec withdrawal either. We admit that we could be dense, but we suspect it is hard to find if it exists at all. As a result, we suspect that most people are unaware of this potential problem.

One of the few ways people can learn about such reactions are on this website. They learn from each other. The FDA doesn’t seem to place much stock in such “anecdotes,” but we think they can be helpful. Here are just a few:

A. Many visitors to PeoplesPharmacy.com have reported dreadful itching upon withdrawal from Zyrtec. Some have also reported other withdrawal symptoms. Here are a few of their reports:

It’s not just Zyrtec. We have also heard from readers who experienced withdrawal itching when they stopped levocetirizine (Xyzal).