Comment · Thu, December 10, 2015 · Ceretropic & Nootropics Depot
TIL I am physically dependent on Zyrtec. Don't take Zyrtec, it has been ruining my life for >15 years
What they were answering
nootropadelic · 1 points
Yeah I was actually aware of that. I think I read a reply you wrote one to a modafinil + antihistamine question. Anyways I agree that stopping any long term intake of any substance is going to have effects. However I think the problem is that people aren't aware of the physical dependence they build to something like this because its OTC and seems really insignificant.
I am going to try and ween myself off and see how I do. But I just wish there were a better alternative for keeping histamine at bay. I have suffered for a long time from chronic fatigue and lack of motivation and as I have said I know its zyrtec related because if I go a few days without I feel great.
Anyways thanks for chiming in!
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic & Nootropics Depot
Yeah, the biggest issue I see with how we treat drugs is that people automatically think OTC is safe, and that FDA approval means they don't have to worry about it. A drug is a drug. It's just a molecule. Laws are just man made things that label and categorize them. However, drugs should always be treated the same. Everything has benefits, side effects, tolerance/potentiation, interactions, and a level of risk. Over the counter acetaminophen causes more liver damage every year than anything else.
I feel you on the histamine issue. Zyrtec is the only thing that works every time for me. The start of many of my mood/energy issues coincided with me starting Zyrtec. I would love to be able to really test out what coming off it would be like, but I would probably want to kill myself with how much itching I would have to deal with. Then my airway closing would probably do it for me. I've tried a few times, and have taken countless things to help. The only other thing that helps with my airway issue is Montelukast. I can shift to Loratadine or Fexofenadine for a bit. However, they are not as effective as Cetirizine is.