FDA Warns of Potential Itching After Stopping Zyrtec and Xyzal: Here’s How to Avoid It
Key takeaways:
The FDA now requires a warning on Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Xyzal (levocetirizine) about severe itching that can happen after stopping the medication. This side effect is rare, but it becomes more likely with long-term use.
Slowly reducing your dose (tapering) instead of stopping it all at once may help prevent itching. It’s also best to take these medications for the shortest time possible.
If itching is severe, restarting the medication and getting help from your healthcare team is often the best option.
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Many people take Zyrtec (cetirizine) or Xyzal (levocetirizine) regularly to manage allergies. But the FDA now requires their manufacturers issue a warning that stopping these medications — especially after long-term use — can lead to severe itching. This side effect is rare. But for some, the itching can be severe enough to need medical care.
In this article, we’ll explain what the new FDA warning means, how to stop taking Zyrtec without itching, and what to do if itching becomes a problem.
What is the new FDA warning for Zyrtec and Xyzal?
The FDA is requiring a new warning on the labeling for Zyrtec and Xyzal about the risk of severe itching after stopping these medications. For some people, the itching may be serious enough to require medical care.
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The risk for severe itching is higher if you’ve been taking these antihistamines long term (for several months or years). But it can also happen after less than 1 month of use in some cases.
How can you stop taking Zyrtec without itching?
If you’ve been taking Zyrtec or Xyzal for several weeks or more, it’s a good idea to slowly taper off your dose instead of stopping it suddenly. For example, if you’re taking 10 mg of Zyrtec daily, you could reduce your dosage to 5 mg per day, then 5 mg every other day before stopping.
There isn’t a set amount of time for each step of the taper. If itching occurs, you may need to go back to the previous dose for several more days before reducing it further. Your healthcare team can help provide instructions for you based on your current dosage.
Tapering the dosage doesn’t work for everyone when it comes to preventing itching. If itching symptoms are severe, restarting Zyrtec or Xyzal at your usual dose should help. You can then seek medical care for guidance.
Good to know: The best way to prevent itching after stopping Zyrtec or Xyzal is to take it for the shortest amount of time possible. If you need to take an antihistamine long term, talk to your healthcare team about other options that don’t carry this side effect.
How long are you itchy after stopping Zyrtec or Xyzal?
Health care professionals don’t yet know how long itching may last after stopping Zyrtec or Xyzal.
Itching after stopping Zyrtec or Xyzal isn’t common. And how severe or long-lasting it is can vary from person to person. Itching may go away on its own, but in some cases you may need to restart Zyrtec or Xyzal or get additional treatment from your prescriber to relieve it.
How do you treat itching caused by antihistamine withdrawal?
There isn’t a set treatment for itching that happens after stopping Zyrtec or Xyzal. The most important thing to remember is to avoid scratching as much as possible. Scratching can cause breaks in your skin, which can lead to bleeding or infection. It can also cause inflammation that makes itching even worse.
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Here are some treatment options that may help relieve itching:
Moisturize your skin with an unscented lotion, since dryness can make itchiness worse.
Take an oatmeal bath.
Apply a cool compress.
Restart Zyrtec or Xyzal, then slowly taper your dose over time.
Try a different antihistamine, such as Claritin (loratadine) or Allegra (fexofenadine).
If itching is severe or doesn’t respond to the options mentioned above, reach out to your healthcare team for guidance.
Is it safe to change from Zyrtec or Xyzal to another antihistamine?
Yes, it’s usually fine to switch from Zyrtec or Xyzal to another antihistamine, especially if you’re going to be taking it long term. But it’s possible that you may still experience itching after stopping Zyrtec or Xyzal — even if you switch to a different antihistamine. A healthcare professional can help you find the right alternative and provide guidance if you’re still itchy after making the switch.
The bottom line
The FDA now requires a warning that stopping Zyrtec (cetirizine) or Xyzal (levocetirizine) suddenly can lead to severe itching for some people. The risk of this side effect is more likely if you take Zyrtec or Xyzal long term.
To reduce your chances of itching, take these medications for the shortest time possible. It’s also best to slowly taper your Zyrtec or Xyzal dose over time when you stop taking it. If itching becomes a problem, restarting the medicine or trying other treatments can help. Check with your prescriber or pharmacist about the best option for your needs.
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References
Rupert, J., et al. (2022). Pruritus: Diagnosis and management. American Family Physician.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). FDA requires warning about rare but severe itching after stopping long-term use of oral allergy medicines cetirizine or levocetirizine (Zyrtec, Xyzal, and other trade names).
