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Q. I have suffered from hives for about eight years. I was prescribed Zyrtec (cetirizine) and have been using it daily since. It has greatly alleviated the hives.
During the past few years, though, it has caused the side effects of dry mouth and dry eye. The result has been periodontal problems.
Only yesterday I connected the dots between cause and effect: Zyrtec for hives led to dry mouth and dry eyes; dry mouth has led to a failure to control bacteria and fungi in the mouth, which has led to periodontal problems, cracked lips and sores in my mouth.
I have decided to cease taking Zyrtec. Is there an effective treatment for chronic hives that does not have these side effects?
Astonishingly, although I provided all of my health care providers (family physician, allergist, dentist and periodontist) with a list of my medications and supplements, none of them suggested that I had dry mouth and that Zyrtec played a role.
A. A surprising number of medications can cause dry mouth. They include allergy medicines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), desloratadine (Clarinex) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl), antidepressants like duloxetine (Cymbalta) or escitalopram (Lexapro) and sleeping pills such as zolpidem (Ambien), to name a few. As you point out, a dry mouth can have serious consequences for dental health.
Herb expert James Duke, PhD, suggests freeze-dried stinging nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) to treat hives. Although the evidence for this treatment is not strong, the capsules don’t appear to cause dry mouth.
Dianna
Missouri
I have had hives for months. I just changed doctors and she told me to try Head and Shoulders. I did and it worked! Be sure to rinse it off. Good luck
Dan
29730
Hello all, I have dry mouth brought on by Loratadine, its a 24 hour non drowsy antihistamine. I had been taking it daily for 3 months because of extremely itchy arms.
I started connected the dots with dry mouth and loratadine in the the 3rd month of taking it. After that realization I stopped taking it and started using Aveeno skin calming lotion and hydrocortson cream for the itch.
The itchy arms believe or not were brought on by me completely hating my job of 13 years and the warehouse environment its self. The stress and frustration that I had overwhelmed me to the point that I was stuttering when speaking and I would scratch my arms relentlessly. I would get upper respiratory infections from the warehouse and cardboard dust. Finally one day, with the support of my girlfriend (now wife) I walked out of that godforsaken place and never looked back.
The itchy arms are gone, the stuttering went away and I haven’t been sick in a year in a half at my new job.
Though I haven’t been able to kick the dry mouth. Its worse at night and a still a reminder during the day. I believe Loratadine has permanently damaged something within my saliva glands. I miss having my saliva, at times I almost had too much.
I’m using dry mouth wash, the nightly stick to your gum mints (they help a lot), and toms tooth paste which I be noticed causes less sores to develop in my mouth.
I just want the dry mouth gone and the bad breath to end from the dry mouth. I want that part of my life back.
Alexandra H.
I use the generic for Clarinex and suddenly wake up around 3 am to dry mouth for the last three days. I have been sleeping with a cup of water next to me. I have been taking the medicine around midnight. Does anyone else have this problem as well?
Kay
I have a similar story and am curious to hear whether stopping Zyrtec helped the dryness. I stopped taking it and am still dry but it had only been 2 days off. I’d the hives come back I don’t know what I will do if the Zyrtec was hurting me.
Nancy M
I have had all of these symptoms for years now and I take Zyrtec because it is the only thing that has helped me with the hives. I suggest you get checked for Sjogrens Syndrome. That is what I have and what is giving me the dry mouth/eyes.
Gerry P.
Is there a cure or prevention for dry mouth? I know there are mouth washes, etc., but they only relieve after you get dry mouth. My mouth gets totally dry during the night. I am having dental problems as a result. What can I do to cure this? I only take Levoxyl and Premarin .3. I also take Vit.E, D, calcium and Centrum. I would appreciate any help you can give.
Cindy B.
I am a believer in the value of stinging nettle to help control allergies. I have been using the dried herb in capsule form daily for at least a year. I’ve noticed allergy triggers have less effect on me.
MKP
If your hives itch, you might like to try something that worked for me. Put Listerine (or comparable brand) in a spray bottle and spray or wipe it on hives. Sometimes it stops the itch instantly and other times it takes a few minutes.
cpmt
ah, I forgot to mention that dentist can help you with the dry mouth, he/she can suggest different remedies over the counter. I have that problem because my diabetic medication.
cpmt
And dry mouth with some diabetic medications too.
Old Fart In Florida
Just read about Zyrtec and other drugs causing dry mouth. Anyone have any of the dry mouth, dry lips, sore tongue problems using a Spiriva inhaler?