Allergy Medication Cessation Warning Issued by FDA

People who regularly use the allergy medications Zyrtec or Xyzal may experience severe itching when they stop, according to a warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The itching, known as pruritus, is rare but has been reported by hundreds of people after they stopped taking the medications cetirizine or levocetirizine daily for at least a few months. In some cases, the itching became so severe it required medical attention.

Users who experience severe itching after stopping these medications should contact their health care professional

The FDA is reviewing the prescription version of the drugs to include a new warning about the severe itching risk and requesting manufacturers of the over-the-counter version to add a warning label.

If you are considering taking these allergy pills on a regular basis, consider this new risk and discuss it with your health provider beforehand.