Problems with zyrtec

[missnoodlesmom]

After trialing my son off of zyrtec for a few weeks and then putting him back on it, we have realized we see a big difference in his behavior (much worse on it) but not a lot of difference in his symptoms/reactions (perpetual cough). Actually, the cough got a bit better when we took him off of it again.

Any thoughts on what he could be reacting to in the zyrtec? We give him the generic kind (walgreen) - it's clear so I know there aren't colors in there. I haven't noticed a distinct difference when he's had other medicines (motrin or antibiotics) but typically when we give them to him, he's sick and we aren't expecting much good behavior anyways. Plus, I haven't been keeping my eye on it specifically. Now I'm worried about all medicines....

Sigh. This is just so frustrating. I thought milk was the only thing I had to watch out for. Most likely not the case....

[mama1803]

It was the same for my ds. No noticeable relief from the allergy symptoms, but a noticeable change in behavior. Dh was on zyrtec for awhile also and he was so grumpy. It was ridiculous. Even he noticed the change in himself and the perpetual bad mood. It wasn't until BIL, who is a physician, commented that he too had tried zyrtec and noticed a change in his own mood that we made the connection between the behavior, the grumpiness, and the medicine.

Now we use natural means to alleviate allergies. Vitamin C is a natural antihistimine and quercetin has worked wonders for us for respitory symptoms. Nettles also are really helpful for respitory allergy symptoms. B vitamins have also been helpful for us for keeping methylation humming along.

HTH

[2xy]

DS1 has been on Zyrtec since he was 7yo. It's always worked for him (other meds, not so much).

As for the grumpiness....Zyrtec does cause drowsiness and excessive tiredness. That can make people grumpy. DS takes it before bed instead of in the morning.

[Arduinna]

I'm guessing it's liquid formula?

I use zyrtek and it's been the most effective med I've tried on my allergy symptoms, I generally take it at night though. It doesn't make me drowsy or tired but my symptoms are worse at night since I also have rhinitis which acts up at the time so it's double dose symptoms at that time of day.

[LauraLoo]

Our ds had severe problems with Zyrtec. He'd been on it from the time he was 2 1/2 until he was 6. I kept chalking his behavior up to childhood development patterns -- terrible two's, etc. We tried dosing him at different points during the day, but nothing seemed to make a difference. Three days after taking him completely off Zyrtec, he was a totally different kid.

You can search this forum -- there's others who've had similar issues. And check out:
http://www.askapatient.com/viewratin...35&name=ZYRTEC

I know that there are plenty of people that have had great success with Zyrtec, but there are others who can not tolerate it, for whatever reason.

[rhesp1212]

I agree, it may not be one of the ingredients persay, but the actual medication aspect of it that he's having a hard time with. As an adult, I cannot tolerate zyrtec at all....I can take a 1/4 tsp of the childrens zyrtec and it makes me horribly depressed and lethargic for several days even after I stop taking it. So, I can see how it would cause alot of behavior problems in some kids. I have talked to several people who have the same reactions as adults too.

I tried it with my son, and it did absolutely nothing for his runny nose and cough. We ended up having to switch to Allegra, which helps alot!