A while back there was a post about the possible side effects of this medicine - I searched for it but couldn't find it. Our 5yo had been on it since age 2 and had many behavioral problems (which I posted about at the same time as the zrytec post). Based on this post we decided to take him off the medication - and there was an almost instant change, less than a week! He no longer acts like a 2yo (tantrums, etc.), he no longer gets into everything, he will now look us in the eye when we converse and he his much more loving and affectionate -we believe he is finally the person he was always meant to be. I just wanted to give an update and thank the person who made the post. We are very grateful to you for passing along that information, there is no way I could express how much our lives have changed and how happy we are that our little boy is feeling so much better. Thank you so much. Mia

By Jtsmom on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 07:55 am:

Wow, I am glad he is back to your happy little boy. My son has been on the Zyrtec since about 2 also, he is now 5. He doesn't have too may behavioral problem, but he is extremely hyper. I will have to mention this to his doctor.

By Amecmom on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 08:42 am:

Hi Mia,
It was me who posted on the behavioral changes I noted in my son. I remember your post as well. I am so happy for you! Randy was only on the medication for a few months, I cannot imagine what you were going through with a child on it for years!

Someone else posted a link to a website that had other parents whoes children responded similarly to Zyrtec. Boy did that validate what I was observing! Joelle, he wasn't a bad boy nesessarily, just very impulsive and easy to set off- in temper or sadness - and was very hyper.

Just FYI, he's had similar problems with Claritin. Right now, all that really works for him - and does not cause behavioral issues is Singulair. Make sure it's noted in his medical records that he has a reaction to Zyrtec.

I am so happy my post was able to help you.

Ame

By Trina~moderator on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 08:44 am:

My 7 yr. old DD started taking Zyrtec last month. It has certainly helped with her allergies and asthma, but she has always been a challenging child, so I'm not sure if it has effected her behaviorally. LOL! Kidding aside, Claritin no longer works for her and Singulair had NO effect. Our Asthma/Allergy specialist prescribed Flonase but after trying it once DD refused to take it again. Zyrtec was our next option. Without allergy meds her asthma acts up, which of course is a health issue. Sometimes it's necessary to choose the lesser of two evils.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 09:20 am:

When you say "make sure it's noted in his medical records", to be absolutely safe, you want to have the doctor list it as an allergic reaction, and tell any subsequent doctors or clinics. I say that because my dad had an adverse reaction to a medication and I wrote a letter to the doctor and hospital which was in his file, but lo and behold they prescribed this same medication for him on discharge. I exploded, of course, and the lovely resident advised me that what we had to do was list this medication as one to which he was allergic and then it would go on the front of the file - notes and letters are often overlooked but allergies are not.

By Mia on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 09:25 am:

Ame, thank you! And the post for the website with parents discussing this was also instrumental in our decision to stop Zyrtec. He had no complications when we stopped - there didn't seem to be any reaction or withdrawal to stopping after so many years.

The difference is just incredible! And "impulsive" is a great way to describe so much of the behavior that led to so much trouble. We didn't see much hyperactivity though.

He was put on the medication to control Excema and nasal stuffiness. He had his adnoids removed last year which helped a lot with the breathing. It was interesting to me that his doctor stated that Ecxema is an outward manisfestation of Asthma, and usually skips generations - Grandparent will have ecxema, child will have asthma, grandchild will have excema, etc. My father has excema but luckily I didn't get asthma.

I don't use anything for ds now, except cream for his sores. Next week we're having him tested for allergies so we can treat exactly whatever is causing the problems. I was tested myself today and have severe and moderate allergies to 15 of the items tested, mild reactions to another 15. 3 to 5 years of therapy. I hope it's better news for our son!

Thanks again for posting the information - sometimes a few minutes of time and effort on a 'little' topic makes a true difference in someone's life and this was one of those times.