While allergies come and go, parting with this remedy can be ‘unbearable’

All reports say that the crazy winter we’ve had is going to make this a whale of an allergy season – no matter where you live.

So lots of people, even those who never took an allergy drug before, may be running to the CVS for relief and grabbing one of those OTC allergy meds.

And one of the most popular is Zyrtec.

But there’s a dark side to this drug – one you won’t be hearing on the commercials for it that seem to be running all the time.

Here’s where it gets interesting: You’re not necessarily at risk when you start to take it, but watch out if you try and stop.

Because once you’re on Zyrtec, you may never, ever be able to get off of it.

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The nightmare itch
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The reaction has been described like “a mosquito bite that covers your entire body.” Others reported that their hands and feet felt like they were “on fire” no matter what they tried for relief.

All when they attempted to stop taking Zyrtec.

That’s right, Zyrtec. The best-selling allergy drug that your doctor may tell you to take for itching!

Hundreds have sent in reports to the People’s Pharmacy and other websites telling their stories about the relentless itching, burning and hives that can appear all over your body after you quit using the drug.

It seems that most doctors don’t know about these horrible withdrawal symptoms from Zyrtec and other drugs that contain the ingredient cetirizine. And they certainly won’t hear about it from the FDA.

One woman tells how she stopped taking the drug after three years because she was going for allergy testing. Soon afterward her entire body began itching so horribly that she had to go to the emergency room for help. That’s when she took a Zyrtec pill “by accident” and within ten minutes all the symptoms were gone.

Now, she says, she has tried at least ten times to quit the drug over several years with no success. The itching simply got worse each time.

Another user told of trying to get off it “many times,” but the “horrible skin itching” burned so badly he had to start taking it again.

The People’s Pharmacy first notified the FDA of these reports four years ago. But it said “there is still nothing in the medical literature or prescribing information about withdrawal symptoms.” And the “medical and scientific community seems equally indifferent.”

The only good news in all this is that if you can tough it out, the symptoms seem to go away after several weeks.

But of course, the best thing to do is not take it in the first place. Here are some natural solutions to allergies that really work and won’t keep you up all night scratching:

• Butterbur, which is one of the most well-researched and highly regarded supplements for allergy relief. A Swiss study found it was just as effective as taking an antihistamine for hay fever – and without the drowsiness.
• Grape seed extract and quercetin, which tend to be even more powerful when used together with vitamin C. Dr. James Dillard, from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons says that quercetin may “control the release of histamine and other chemicals” that “initiate the allergic response.”
• Hot, spicy foods, which can thin mucous and help clear your nose.
• A salt water nasal spray, which can also help open up your sinuses and “clean” your nasal passages.
• An air cleaner with a true HEPA filter, which can help year-round (especially if you have pets) when used in your home.

Now, if you’re currently taking Zyrtec, the best way to discontinue it is to wean off it slowly by taking a smaller dose each day, taking vitamin C and quercetin and take hot showers to provide some relief.

But without any warnings on the package or notice from the FDA, most people will continue to have no idea that these horrible reactions can happen.

As another Zyrtec user said:

“I hope someday that there is something done about this drug. At a minimum there should be some sort of disclaimer about the withdrawal effects. I wish when I was put on this drug that there was more information out there so that I would have never taken it in the first place.”

Source:

“Intense itching from stopping Zyrtec (cetirizine) suddenly” People’s Pharmacy Alerts, peoplespharmacy.com