Understanding Antihistamine Withdrawal
If you’re a seasonal allergy sufferer, antihistamines like Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Xyzal (levocetirizine) are often a go-to for relief. But what happens when you stop taking them? In a recent SELF feature, Sheryl Mathew, MD, a board-certified allergist and immunologist at ENT & Allergy Associates, who practices out of our Northeast Philadelphia and Richboro offices, sheds light on a lesser-known reaction: antihistamine withdrawal.
The article explains how sudden discontinuation—especially after long-term daily use—can trigger intense, full-body itching. This phenomenon has prompted the FDA to issue safety statements and require updated warnings on certain allergy medications.
Dr. Mathew and other experts also outline strategies to prevent or manage withdrawal, including tapering off gradually, switching to alternative treatments, and exploring long-term solutions like allergy shots. These insights are helping raise awareness of an underrecognized reaction that affects many allergy patients and highlight the importance of personalized allergy care.
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