Does Zyrtec cause weight gain?

[Wishing on a star]

Maybe 16???

Klay, wenrob, that owl commercial is stupid and annoying!!!!
But, weight is a LOT more than calories in / calories out.
A lot more... and more being learned every day, about things like metabolism, gut microbiotica, etc... (which could be negatively affected by particular meds)
Try telling somebody that has gained a full pound every few days on drugs such as Lyrica (while eating less) that "Ohhhh, it is all just calories in / calories out)
for most people, these drugs CURB appetite. We are not talking marijuana here.
A lot of BS and fake info floating around out there....



For me, for issues other than simple respiratory allergies, I find that the old stand-by pseudoephedrine, now behind the counter, is what works!
Sucked when they took that off the shelves.
I don't like the Walgreens brand at all (little red pills) I take Motrin and just one of the CVS brand pseudoephedrine/ibuprofen.

 

[Erin1700]

Maybe 16???

Klay, wenrob, that owl commercial is stupid and annoying!!!!
But, weight is a LOT more than calories in / calories out.
A lot more... and more being learned every day, about things like metabolism, gut microbiotica, etc... (which could be negatively affected by particular meds)
Try telling somebody that has gained a full pound every few days on drugs such as Lyrica (while eating less) that "Ohhhh, it is all just calories in / calories out)
for most people, these drugs CURB appetite. We are not talking marijuana here.
A lot of BS and fake info floating around out there....



For me, for issues other than simple respiratory allergies, I find that the old stand-by pseudoephedrine, now behind the counter, is what works!
Sucked when they took that off the shelves.
I don't like the Walgreens brand at all (little red pills) I take Motrin and just one of the CVS brand pseudoephedrine/ibuprofen.

I adore our pediatrician, but I don't agree with him that my son eats too much or the helpings are too big. He certainly doesn't! I am sure the Claritin made him gain weight!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Some types of antihistamines are used as appetite stimulants but I don't think they cause weight gain themselves.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

My ds 16 has been taking Zyrtec for the past 2 years. The kid is a stick - always has been. Not an ounce of body fat on him. I WISH Zyrtec would make him gain a little weight! But nope, nada. At first, he made him a little sleepy, but he takes it at bedtime and has no issues. And this is a kid that is extremely sensitive to medications. Overall, it really has been a great med for his seasonal allergies.

 

[A. Mara Ziwadie]

Hmm. After reading all this, I don't know what to think! But I certainly appreciate all the responses and conversation.

I have taken both Allegra and Zyrtec. I just haven't taken Zyrtec on a daily basis (Allegra I have). I can buy a year's supply of generic Zyrtec from my wholesale club for less than 1/2 the price of a year's prescription of generic Allegra (based on a 90 day supply through mail order). Zyrtec works just the same (maybe a little bit better), but I had read about the possible weight gain issue. From the responses, it mostly sounds like it doesn't directly cause weight gain (although some argue it does), but it can cause increased appetite and/or bloating. In the case of bloating, that's temporary weight gain ... for however long.

 

[bcla]

Hmm. After reading all this, I don't know what to think! But I certainly appreciate all the responses and conversation.

I have taken both Allegra and Zyrtec. I just haven't taken Zyrtec on a daily basis (Allegra I have). I can buy a year's supply of generic Zyrtec from my wholesale club for less than 1/2 the price of a year's prescription of generic Allegra (based on a 90 day supply through mail order). Zyrtec works just the same (maybe a little bit better), but I had read about the possible weight gain issue. From the responses, it mostly sounds like it doesn't directly cause weight gain (although some argue it does), but it can cause increased appetite and/or bloating. In the case of bloating, that's temporary weight gain ... for however long.

Allegra hasn't required a prescription in years, although it's possible to get it with a prescription. I remember going to a pharmacy and asking about the 60 mg generic version, even though they sold the 180 mg generic version OTC. The pharmacist said that he could order it, and via prescription was the only way they could sell it there. I can buy a mail order OTC version too, although it's more expensive than buying the OTC version at Costco and splitting the tablets. I think one of the advantages of prescription is no sales tax in my state, but that doesn't help if the price is substantially higher. He's the guy who told me that splitting should be fine.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I get a script for mine because the copay for the generic is less than the store or name brand.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I wanted to run this by the members here.

I read that Zyrtec, the over-the-counter once daily allergy medication, can cause weight gain. Can anyone attest to this (or any other side effects)?

Thank you!

IDK, but it is the only OTC allergy med that works for me. For about 5 hours after the dose, I'm hyped up; and then I get drowsy. I try to time it so it's 5 hours before bedtime, but sometimes I forget.

 

[bcla]

IDK, but it is the only OTC allergy med that works for me. For about 5 hours after the dose, I'm hyped up; and then I get drowsy. I try to time it so it's 5 hours before bedtime, but sometimes I forget.

Benadryl doesn't work for you? It and chlorpheniramine are supposed to be the most effective allergy meds available, but they clearly have side effects.

 

[A. Mara Ziwadie]

Allegra hasn't required a prescription in years, although it's possible to get it with a prescription. I remember going to a pharmacy and asking about the 60 mg generic version, even though they sold the 180 mg generic version OTC. The pharmacist said that he could order it, and via prescription was the only way they could sell it there. I can buy a mail order OTC version too, although it's more expensive than buying the OTC version at Costco and splitting the tablets. I think one of the advantages of prescription is no sales tax in my state, but that doesn't help if the price is substantially higher. He's the guy who told me that splitting should be fine.

It's cheaper for me to buy a 90 day prescription. I take the 180 MG strength (equal to the 10 MG strength found in Claritin or Zyrtec).

 

[A. Mara Ziwadie]

Benadryl doesn't work for you? It and chlorpheniramine are supposed to be the most effective allergy meds available, but they clearly have side effects.

The latter you mention is found in name brand Chlortrimeton I believe.

 

[bcla]

I get a script for mine because the copay for the generic is less than the store or name brand.

I wasn't sure about whether or not that might still be covered. I had a whole bunch of strange deals with my insurance over the years, where they would cover prescription Allegra (which retailed for $2 a 60 mg capsule), then took it off their formulary and only covered Claritin which didn't work as well for me. Then my insurance company changed back.

Eventually most insurance companies seemed to go off of that once Claritin was available OTC and also generic. I remember my mom gave me a bunch of the coupons that her insurance company gave her to buy OTC Alavert (a Claritin generic). They were $10 coupons, and the price was something like $12 for a box of 48. It didn't work as well for me, but that was the best I could do.

I never really asked about getting prescription generic fexofenadine since it was available OTC fairly cheap. I suppose I could ask, and I'm thinking it's just the standard copay.

 

[bcla]

The latter you mention is found in name brand Chlortrimeton I believe.

I almost never buy brand name though unless I can't find anything else. I've seen bottles of 100 for less than $2.50.

The one that used to work the best for me was Actifed. I didn't always need the decongestant, but as an antihistamine in it worked exceptionally well for me. They changed the formula to use chlorpheniramine instead.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I wasn't sure about whether or not that might still be covered. I had a whole bunch of strange deals with my insurance over the years, where they would cover prescription Allegra (which retailed for $2 a 60 mg capsule), then took it off their formulary and only covered Claritin which didn't work as well for me. Then my insurance company changed back.

Eventually most insurance companies seemed to go off of that once Claritin was available OTC and also generic. I remember my mom gave me a bunch of the coupons that her insurance company gave her to buy OTC Alavert (a Claritin generic). They were $10 coupons, and the price was something like $12 for a box of 48. It didn't work as well for me, but that was the best I could do.

I never really asked about getting prescription generic fexofenadine since it was available OTC fairly cheap. I suppose I could ask, and I'm thinking it's just the standard copay.

I pay $5 for most generic Rx(that I've needed so far). So it works out for most things. I'm sure I could find some of the pills cheaper per pill in bulk but I'm too lazy to figure that all out. It does save me a ton on the nasal sprays though. Even the store brands are almost $10.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

I have never taken Zyrtec but I've taken extra strength Claritin for years. I have very little appetite at all because of it. It gives me almost too much energy. I have a plethora of allergies and I find the extra strength Claritin works best for me. Absolutely no weight gain associated with it.

 

[wilkeliza]

I pay $5 for most generic Rx(that I've needed so far). So it works out for most things. I'm sure I could find some of the pills cheaper per pill in bulk but I'm too lazy to figure that all out. It does save me a ton on the nasal sprays though. Even the store brands are almost $10.

You are lucky they'll cover it. My prescription insurance won't cover anything that comes in OTC versions.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

You are lucky they'll cover it. My prescription insurance won't cover anything that comes in OTC versions.

Yes. It's one of the good things about my insurance lol

 

[Klayfish]

Maybe 16???

Klay, wenrob, that owl commercial is stupid and annoying!!!!
But, weight is a LOT more than calories in / calories out.
A lot more... and more being learned every day, about things like metabolism, gut microbiotica, etc... (which could be negatively affected by particular meds)
Try telling somebody that has gained a full pound every few days on drugs such as Lyrica (while eating less) that "Ohhhh, it is all just calories in / calories out)
for most people, these drugs CURB appetite. We are not talking marijuana here.
A lot of BS and fake info floating around out there....



For me, for issues other than simple respiratory allergies, I find that the old stand-by pseudoephedrine, now behind the counter, is what works!
Sucked when they took that off the shelves.
I don't like the Walgreens brand at all (little red pills) I take Motrin and just one of the CVS brand pseudoephedrine/ibuprofen.

Actually, no, it's not "a LOT" more than calories in/calories out, at the heart of it. Yes, of course, there are factors that can come into play. Some medicines can slow metabolism, some can speed it up. Some can cause you to be drowsy and want to do less. I agree that things like that can factor in. But my point is that generally, it is that as simple as calories in vs calories burned. It just is. If you have medicine that slows metabolism, you need to adjust nutrition.

No, I'm not a nutritionist, but DW and I are pretty into bodybuilding and DW has had many professional coaches over the years. Nutrition is a pretty big part of our lives.

 

[bcla]

You are lucky they'll cover it. My prescription insurance won't cover anything that comes in OTC versions.

Depends on what's considered OTC. My wife has been prescribed 600 mg generic ibuprofen, which is only available with a prescription. I've asked about it, and a doctor said that 3 OTC 200 mg ibuprofen is equivalent. And it's way cheaper than the prescription version if bought in bulk. As long as it's under a doctor's recommendation it should be OK to take a larger dose. Most doctors are used to recommending large doses for short term use, but it can kill the liver if it's done long term.

Still - sometimes I've found that certain generic prescription meds retail for less than the copay. We've literally paid less than the $5 copay for many prescription meds because they were that cheap. I think we could have paid that price without insurance.

 

[low-key]

no, but sandwiches do