Cholinergic Urticaria

Zyrtec for Cholinergic Urticaria (Part 2)

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Just wanted to update everyone in case they want to try this (see original post). I went to an allergist who is having me take 4 TIMES the daily dose of Zyrtec – so 4 pills a day or 1 every 4-5 hours. She wants to do this for at least a month.

In case someone else wants to try it, I figured I’d pass on the info that according to her it is perfectly safe for me (aside from possible drowsiness) to take that high a dosage

[Editor’s Note: talk to your doctor before attempting this–it may not be safe or healthy for you, especially if you have pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, other medications, etc.].

I’ll also update this post to let you all know how it works for me. If you don’t want to try Zyrtec then make sure whatever you take contains Cetirizine. But again, I’d talk to your doctor about Zyrtec since that’s what she has me taking the quadruple dose of.

Good luck!

-Nick

Comments

  1. I to take zertag with zantac, apparently zantac has some kind of block I only have to take it 1 time a day and so far is working. If I am having a good day I do not take it.

  2. I use Zyrtec with Claritin (Cetirizine and Loratadine). One each daily or twice each if I foresee problems that day!

  3. My allergist has me taking two Allegra in the morning and two Zyrtek at night. I’ve been on that dose since May 2015 and it works well to control/minimize the hives. During all these months I’ve also been experimenting with elimination diet so allergist had me try to taper last fall, but currently back on full dose as hives returned when I stopped the drugs. Does cause drowsiness but it has also helped my insomnia, so a side benefit. At least now I am tired but my brain functions better having had sleep, whereas before I was tired with poor brain function from no sleep. So, if there is a silver lining to hives….I guess that would be it. I buy the big bottles of generic antihistamines at Costco in the U.S. For a fraction of the cost of name brand.

  4. Be careful with the Zyrtec and Xyzol. I took the xyzol for month, twice a day. It stopped the itch, etc., but in that time, I had about 8 or more episodes of vivid dreams/nightmares ….frightening! I was switched to Zyrtec twice a day. Again, it controlled the itch but after about 5 months, the vivid, frightening nightmares began again. A side effect of both drugs, along with many other serious effects, was hallucinations. I definitely was having them. In addition, I was very lethargic, had little motivation, etc., which immediately lifted when drugs removed. I am back on the twice a day Allegra Allergy, plus twice a day, Zantac…….itching again but using a lotion called Sarna, sold at local drugstores. It is a combination of camphor and menthol which eases the itching very well. Definitely, try it.