Is anyone on Zyrtec or antihistamines and losing weight?

CherylanneCorsini · July 2015

I take over the counter Zyrtec for allergies and read that it causes weight gain? Wondering if anyone here takes Zyrtec or an antihistamine and is successfully losing weight.
Thank you in advance.

Lourdesong · July 2015

I take a lot of Benedryl, esp during allergy season. As well as Nasacort and/or Flonase. No problems losing weight and these don't effect my appetite either.

I could be wrong, but my understanding of the non-drowsy antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin is that they are essentially a super weak time-release antihistamine, something similar to how Benadryl can be non-drowsy so long as you don't take the full dose.

professionalHobbyist · July 2015

I take it during pollen peak season

It has no impact other than making exercise morse pleasant since I can breathe easier

VintageFeline · July 2015

I take allergy medication all year round, I'm allergic to sodding everything. Never heard it causes weight gain, I'm losing weight so obviously isn't a problem for me!

sirna731 · July 2015

I take Benedryl, no problem losing weight.

oh_happy_day · July 2015

I take allergy meds regularly as well, no impact on my weight or ability to lose.

Liftin4food · July 2015

I take them - never heard that, never experienced that.

SingRunTing · July 2015

I take a Zyrtec everyday. I've lost 50lbs.

auntjenny74 · July 2015

I've never had an issue with Zyrtec affecting my weight loss. I have, on the other hand, had a lot of problems with ice cream doing so.

jnz17 · July 2015

I take Zyrtec as needed and I usually feel more sleepy and less hungry on it, so I end up eating less.

SLLRunner · July 2015

CherylanneCorsini wrote: »

I take over the counter Zyrtec for allergies and read that it causes weight gain? Wondering if anyone here takes Zyrtec or an antihistamine and is successfully losing weight.
Thank you in advance.

Drugs themselves do not cause weight gain, but they could cause an increased appetite causing you to overeat, which leads to weight gain.

I've taken antihistamines my entire adult life, both prescription and over the counter, and it has not causation in my weight gain or weight loss.

SLLRunner · July 2015

auntjenny74 wrote: »

I've never had an issue with Zyrtec affecting my weight loss. I have, on the other hand, had a lot of problems with ice cream doing so.

Is this what you're talking about?

auddii · July 2015

I've lost over 90lbs while being on daily zyrtec.

sheppeyescapee · July 2015

I'm on fexofenadine (Telfast) daily. I don't think it has hindered my weightloss at all.

auntjenny74 · July 2015

SLLRunner wrote: »

auntjenny74 wrote: »

I've never had an issue with Zyrtec affecting my weight loss. I have, on the other hand, had a lot of problems with ice cream doing so.

Is this what you're talking about?

That is pretty much EXACTLY what I am talking about!

LH85DC · July 2015

I also take Zyrtec daily, and have had no problems with weight - lost 40 lbs and now maintaining happily, no change in allergy (or other) medication routines.

bennettinfinity · July 2015

I'm on a double daily dose of Zyrtec... Lost 60 pounds and have been maintaining for over a year... no adverse affects.

psuLemon · July 2015

I have taken it for years.. Doesn't affect weight loss at all.

CherylanneCorsini · August 2015

Thanks everyone, I was afraid it would hamper my weightloss, glad to see that everyone taking it is doing so well.
Best Wishes!
Cheryl

rjan91 · August 2015

I take Benadryl at night to sleep and occasional to sometimes daily Allegra. I am slowly losing.

Sued0nim · August 2015

What?

Seriously?

They may increase your appetite cos you feel better, or make you less active cos of drowsy...just control your intake

AlciaMode · August 2015

Stop taking chemicals and start taking butterbur for your allergies.

lithezebra · August 2015

AlciaMode wrote: »

Stop taking chemicals and start taking butterbur for your allergies.

No thank you. Daily Claritin has made the difference between being on Advair and needing albuterol, and not needing those incredibly powerful drugs with major side effects, at all, to control my asthma.

I haven't had a problem with my antihistamine.

psuLemon · August 2015

AlciaMode wrote: »

Stop taking chemicals and start taking butterbur for your allergies.

You do realize how silly the chemical comment is right? Have you heard of dihydrogen monoxide?

Everything is a chemical...

AuroraGeorge8393 · August 2015

I take a prescription dose of Zyrtec (double the over-the-counter dose) each day, as directed by my doctor, and it hasn't impeded my weightloss.

@AlciaMode Unfortunately, herbal/natural remedies don't work for everyone or for every ailment. The only thing that worked for my allergies was Zyrtec.

SLLRunner · August 2015

AlciaMode wrote: »

Stop taking chemicals and start taking butterbur for your allergies.

This does not even apply...and I'll bet you can gain weight on butterbur if it increases your appetite and you eat too much.

psuLemon · August 2015

SLLRunner wrote: »

AlciaMode wrote: »

Stop taking chemicals and start taking butterbur for your allergies.

This does not even apply...and I'll bet you can gain weight on butterbur if it increases your appetite and you eat too much.

And other side effects of butter bur are:

The raw, unprocessed butterbur plant contains chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs can cause liver damage and can result in serious illness. Only butterbur products that have been processed to remove PAs and are labeled or certified as PA-free should be used.
Several studies, including a few studies of children and adolescents, have reported that PA-free butterbur products are safe and well tolerated when taken by mouth in recommended doses for up to 12 to 16 weeks. The safety of longer-term use has not been established.
Butterbur can cause belching, headache, itchy eyes, gastrointestinal issues, asthma, fatigue, and drowsiness.
Butterbur may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies.
Butterbur should only be given to children under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.

But according to the NIH, it is effective so some allergy suffers.

source: https://nccih.nih.gov/health/butterbur

Mini_Medic · August 2015

I take Zyrtec everyday for chronic hives and lose 30lbs. I also take Benadryl as needed and it also hasn't hurt anything at all. Most antihistamines even the H2 blockers like Tegamet, Pepcid, Zantac don't cause any inherent increase in appetite or subsequent weight gain. Now if you have to take high doses of steroids for any allergies, oh man that will put you under the table! Well technically it would leave you at the table, for about 10 hours out of the day just eating and eating because your appetite will increase drastically and food just plain tastes extra incredible to most people on high dose steroids. So take your antihistamines without worry!

AlciaMode · August 2015

I have recommended it to many friends. All that have tried found complete sinus relief without any side effects. It is also commonly used for migraines.