People’s Pharmacy: Stopping Zyrtec led to itchy nightmare
Q: About 18 years ago, I moved to a region with high seasonal allergy triggers that affected me at least six months every year. My doctor prescribed Zyrtec and Flonase. They were both prescription-only at that time.
I was to take Flonase in the spring and Zyrtec every day year-round. I have been on Zyrtec for at least 10 years.
Due to weight gain and brain fog, I decided to stop the Zyrtec and learn to live with my allergies. Little did I know what a nightmare it would be to stop this drug.
I stopped cold turkey. The intense itching started around day three. Itching everywhere: scalp, underarms, inside ears, arms, legs, back. It seemed to lighten up after week two, but not much. It is now week five, and the itching is almost as bad as in week one.
Is my body ever going to be capable of handling histamine normally, or will I suffer from this withdrawal effect for years?
A: Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is a popular antihistamine that is now available over the counter. On our website, hundreds of people have reported similar complications when they stopped this drug suddenly.
Some people have found that switching to a different antihistamine such as fexofenadine (Allegra) or loratadine (Claritin) can ease the itching from cetirizine withdrawal. One reader shared this experience: “I used fexofenadine for a few weeks after stopping the cetirizine. It worked pretty well; when I stopped the fexofenadine, I had some mild itching, but it went away in a few weeks.”
Other readers have reduced the dose of cetirizine gradually instead of stopping abruptly. This seems to ease the hives and itching, though it may take several weeks for them to disappear.
Q: Please clarify whether Voltaren Gel used topically on my knee or spine carries the same risk as NSAID pills. I use a fingertip-size portion on a knee and a fingernail-size portion on one irritated vertebra as needed.
A rheumatologist prescribed it. Neither he nor my other doctor seems to know about NSAID risks with Voltaren Gel.
A: A review of 61 studies of topical NSAID pain relievers like Voltaren Gel concluded that these products provide “good levels of pain relief in acute conditions such as sprains, strains and overuse injuries, probably similar to that provided by oral NSAIDs” (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, June 15, 2015).
This analysis found very few systemic adverse events like digestive-tract irritation or cardiovascular complications. Nevertheless, some people are extremely susceptible to NSAID side effects. A few readers have reported stomach pain or abdominal cramps associated with Voltaren Gel use.
We discuss topical NSAIDs and a variety of other treatments for painful, inflamed joints in our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis. It is available for purchase online at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
Q: I will be traveling overseas soon and am worried about the effects of sitting for 10 hours on the plane. I have heard that aspirin might prevent a blood clot in my legs. Is this true?
A: People who have experienced a blood clot in their legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) are more prone to another clot. Low-dose aspirin has been found to reduce the risk of recurrences (European Journal of Internal Medicine, January 2014). Ask your doctor whether aspirin would be safe with any other medications you take.
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or email them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”