The FDA Released a Warning About Zyrtec and Xyzal for a Newly Discovered Side Effect

Do you take oral allergy medicines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or levocetirizine (Xyzal)? The FDA recently published a warning about these antihistamines, saying that patients who suddenly stop taking these medicines after long-term use "may experience rare but severe itching." The itching, which is also known as pruritus, occurred in patients who had been taking cetirizine and levocetirizine daily for a few months or even years. The FDA estimates that 62.7 million over-the-counter (OTC) packages of cetirizine and levocetirizine were bought in 2022. The same year, about 26.8 million cetirizine and levocetirizine prescriptions for both OTC and prescription products were dispensed from US outpatient pharmacies. Considering that allergies are getting worse, partly because of climate change creating longer, more intense pollen seasons, it wouldn't be surprising if these numbers continue to climb. The FDA decided to issue this warning after identifying 209 cases worldwide -- 180 cases fo ... Read full article.