Zyrtec-D Allergy Medicine Review

I am allergic to lots of things including dust mites, mold, all kinds of pollen, laundry detergents, cats and dogs.  I'll also throw out there that I have moderate-to-severe asthma.  It doesn't take much to get me sneezing, wheezing, itching, wiping watery eyes, and congested like you've never seen.  A doctor that I used to see insisted on running an allergy panel on me and found that I'm allergic to many things but my reaction to cats is off the charts.  Normal people would go out of their way to avoid allergens that trigger a response and specifically cats but not me.  Nope.  I run a cat rescue right here out of my home.  Isn't that fun?

Although one can eventually build up some kind of a tolerance to the family pet, it's just not possible here.  I own 3 cats and have anywhere between 2 and 12 more here at any given time.  We also often foster dogs and puppies.  Even when we have the fosters down to a reasonable number, it's just not possible to build up a tolerance because they are always coming and going and my body acutely notices each and every new guest.  Several doctors have suggested that I get rid of the animals but it's just not an option. 

After using Allegra, Allegra-D, and Zyrtec, I'm now on Zytrec-D and have been for at least 3 years now.  Plain Zyrtec was very effective in eliminating the itchiness, red eyes, and sneezing that the animals cause but I was always severely congested so the doctor switched me to the D formula.  Zyrtec-D is an extended-release tablet that you take every 12 hours.  It combines regular Zyrtec's cetirizine HCI with the decongestant pseudoephedrine. 

When she first switched me over, she told me that she tried it and the decongestant ingredient had her bouncing off of the walls at midnight.  She then stated that if I was able to use the Allegra-D sucessfully, the pseudoephedrine probably would bring me "up" enough during the day to cancel out the antihistamine's drowsiness and the antihistamine would probably bring me "down" enough to cancel out the decongestant's hyperactivity.  She was right.  I can take Zyrtec-D in the morning before work and be awake and alert enough to handle hundreds of teenagers.  I also can take it right before bed and fall right asleep.  The combination probably isn't for everyone but I handle it well.

Zyrtec-D is wonderful because it prevents all of the classic allergy symptoms--itchy skin, red/watery/itchy eyes, sneezing, and rashes as well as improving the condition of my sinuses.  I wouldn't say that I am completely clear but I also am not in your usual pet-owning household.  With 15 cats here at the moment, I'm really putting Zyrtec-D to the test.  Most of the time I can breathe through my nose which is good enough for me; I really don't think I can expect much more given the situation.

The only time I don't love my Zyrtec-D is during the spring when it is pollen season.  That additional factor seems to blast my allergies into another galaxy and this medication just isn't enough to handle it.  During those times, I add Flonase to the mix and usually substitute Benadryl Severe Allergy at bedtime in place of the Zyrtec-D. 

The most common side effects reported with this medication are insomnia, dry mouth, fatigue, sore throat, drowsiness, and hypertension.  I tend to have dry mouth so I am always guzzling water throughout the day and I keep a water bottle on the table next to my bed at night.  As I mentioned earlier, I can take my evening dose of Zyrtec-D just before bed and fall asleep immediately so I don't experience the insomnia that some report.  I am often tired during the day but I just chalk that up to my crazy job and the neverending animal care and cleaning schedule here in the house. 

In the past few years I've really put Zyrtec-D to the test.  I'm highly allergic to many things and I live with many of those "things" that I'm allergic to--cats and dogs.  This medication has kept my allergies in check for a very long time now and has far surpassed all of my expectations.  Anything that can eliminate 95% of my symptoms while living with 15 cats/kittens is impressive.  I'd recommend Zyrtec-D to anyone with allergies and chronic congestion.  If it works this well for me in my situation, it'll work like a charm for a normal person who doesn't insist upon bringing allergens into their house like me.