Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and levocetirizine (Xyzal), commonly used for seasonal allergies, year-round allergies, and chronic hives, have been purchased tens of millions of times each year. However, the FDA has issued a warning about a rare but severe potential side effect that can occur with both medications.
Patients who stop taking Zyrtec or Xyzal after long-term use may experience severe itching, also known as pruritus. This was observed in 209 cases worldwide, including 180 cases for cetirizine and 27 cases for levocetirizine, between April 2017 and July 2023.
The most common side effects of these medications are fatigue, drowsiness, sore throat, cough, dry mouth, nosebleed, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. The FDA is now including a warning on the prescribing information for prescription cetirizine and levocetirizine, as well as adding it to drug facts labels for over-the-counter versions.
If you stop taking Zyrtec or Xyzal and develop severe itching, contact your doctor. Before stopping these medications, discuss the pros and cons with your doctor, especially if you plan to use them long-term. While there is no effective treatment for pruritus, most patients found that their symptoms resolved after restarting the medication or tapering off it after restarting.
It’s essential to consult your doctor before trying any treatment approach to manage this new side effect.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/fda-warns-new-zyrtec-xyzal-side-effect-what-know-treating