Tag: Cetirizine withdrawal

In May 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about a rare but severe itching, or pruritus, that can occur when discontinuing long-term use of certain oral allergy medicines, particularly cetirizine (Zyrtec) and levocetirizine (Xyzal). While dependence is uncommon, individuals who use antihistamines daily for extended periods may experience withdrawal symptoms upon stopping, and understanding **how long does antihistamine withdrawal take** is crucial for managing this process safely and effectively.

In 2022, over 60 million packages of over-the-counter cetirizine products were sold in the U.S. [1.3.1, 1.7.1]. For some long-term users, stopping these medications raises the question: **how long do antihistamine withdrawal symptoms last?**