zyrtec- help please

santo · 03-27-2005, 01:18 PM

okay i've been in allergy hell for two months. have tried clarinex and allegra (60mg) but they weren't strong enough for me. the only thing that helped alleviate my symptoms was flonase. i basically have had SO much phlegm in my throat i constantly felt like i was choking or suffocating. i thought i'd have to live with this every winter (they think it is winter allergies from forced heat in my house) until yesterday when i was started on zyrtec, 10mg once a day. ALL THE PHLEGM IS GONE, HALLELJUAH. but there is one slight problem...

i feel like i just downed a whole bottle of nyquil. i went to bed at 7:30 last night and slept for 14 1/2 hours and had all these weird dreams. i can function alright but i feel like i am on cloud nine. i understand drowsiness is a side effect- but does this lessen with time? will my body adjust and will i be able to take zyrtec without feeling so exhausted? i don't want to give up on this medication when i finally feel like i can breathe, but man, i could go to bed right now and pass out in two seconds flat. anyone with experiences or advice?

artbuggy3 · 03-27-2005, 03:41 PM

when my doctor perscribed it she said to take it before you go to bed to aviod the drowsiness. I only tried once taking it in the morning but i had a busy day that day so not so sure which caused it.

DreaC11 · 03-27-2005, 05:53 PM

I started taking Zyrtec everyday for spring hayfever when I was sixteen or so, but I took it in the mornings. I thought I had mono or something for about three weeks- turns out it was the allergy pills. But... after three weeks my body got used to it and the drowsiness dissapated. I think if you take the pill at night, and just push through the sleepiness for a few weeks you should start to feel a bit less out of it.

sneezydiva · 03-27-2005, 08:34 PM

I agree it is better to take it at night, but my body also adjusted to it after a few weeks. If it continues to make you tired, you might want to ask about taking the pediactric dose.

santo · 03-28-2005, 06:12 PM

thank you all! the drowsiness has already begun to decrease and i'm taking it later in the day, working my way up to nighttime. thanks!