My doctor prescribed 20mg of Cetirizine for my allergies

So you’re taking Zyrtec.

It's 2 over-the-counter Zyrtec. You're not exactly Lindsey Lohan, OP.

Yes, it's the generic version of Zyrtec, but why the hell and I having these side effects?

I can’t take Zyrtec. Makes me a zombie. I’ve tried levocetirizine (over the counter as Xyzal) and it doesn’t make me nearly as sleepy. I’d give that a try.

Thanks R4.

This really pissed me off because I fell asleep at work yesterday. I've been working for decades and never had that happen no matter how tired I was.

Has the doctor suggested any reason for the balance problems & dizziness? Sounds like an inner ear problem.

Eat plenty of cantaloupe, OP, and bacon, and drink lots of prune juice. Do one hour of calesthenics in the morning every day and don't go to sleep after 10 PM at night. Dissolve all friendships with anyone born in an odd year and give away all your pets. That should do the trick.

The evil spirit that lives in your sinuses is angry with you. Maybe snort some heroin to calm him down.

R7 I saw an ENT doctor earlier this year and he said because I'm not experiencing true vertigo he couldn't help me. I had a CT scan and everything was normal. I also saw an eye specialist who said I have Vertical Heterophoria and prescribed prism lenses. The glasses have helped a bit not not much. I saw my internalist last year and he ordered all the usual heart tests and they were all normal. My only issue seems to be very low blood pressure.

Zyrtec makes me sleepy and Claritin gives me dry mouth. Allegra is the only one that allows me to stay awake and produce saliva. Lol.

Allergies are a bitch. I had an ear infection from a really bad sinus infection like 5 years ago and I STILL feel my right ear start to fuck up every spring and fall. At this point, I feel like the only thing that helps is Sudafed and I’ll have to be on it until I die.

R11 a really bad ear was what made me see my doctor. I assumed it was just wax or maybe a small infection, turns out my ears were fine and it was the eustachian tubes that were causing me problems. All the years I've had allergies I've been able to ignore them and go about my day.

Which allergy meds can cause weight gain?

Yeah OP that’s it. My right tube hasn’t been the same. If I forget to buy Sudafed (which is a pain to buy because of regulations) my right ear has a few days before it starts doing its thing and I hear rushing in it. I tried to go on a low inflammation diet but Sudafed is easier. 😂

R11 ^

Obviously you need to up your dosage threefold, OP.

Because we don't need to hear about this.

OP drug molecules are finicky. You simply need to try another. For me, cetirizine its magic.

OP, did you not see the fine print, warning not to wash it down with vodka shots?

I take it daily. zero side effects.

Benadryl is the only allergy med that really works for me. Unfortunately, it makes me sleepy as hell.

I’ve been taking Zyrtec for over 20 years daily. I have noticed a major loss in my ability to handle allergic responses without it. 6-8 years ago I tried to wean off it, which was basically impossible. I notice lately, an hour after dosing it I pretty much become useless. My energy level drops by half. I hope the world of science can improve antihistamines some more — never tried Allegra but I am interested.

Benedryl is also good when the Zyrtec doesn’t do it’s job. I’ve taken 20mg cetirizine before but I didn’t notice it working stronger or better, maybe drowsier.

I called my pharmacist and he said to take a half pill for a couple of days and if the side effects persist to stop and ask my doctor for something else. I'd rather deal with the allergies than have to deal with not being able to walk because my head is spinning and falling asleep the moment I sit down.

You need diazepam for your vertigo. (that's valium)

I've been taking 1 a day of these for about 17 years for an asthmatic wheeze and I've never had any problem with it. Guess that doesn't help.