5 year old just started Zyrtec and can’t pee normally

[Anonymous]

Has anyone dealt with this side effect in kids? After just two nights on a half dose of Zyrtec dissolve caps, DD5 has twice woken up and said “the pee won’t come out”. She potty trained easily, never wore a night diaper and always has a big pee upon wake up. I’m going to discontinue and see an allergist (med was recommended by Ped and didn’t require prescription). Curious to hear other experiences / solutions. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Stop the zyrtec and try allegra in the morning (allegra is non-drowsy and shouldn't be taken at bedtime).

[Anonymous]

Zyrtec is only designated for children age 6 or older according to Zyrtec package instructions.

[Anonymous]

Urinary retention is a drug side effect and can be dangerous. Call her ped and ask for directions about how long to wait before she needs to be catheterized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Zyrtec is only designated for children age 6 or older according to Zyrtec package instructions.

Most mainstream over the counter allergy meds have a children’s version, including Zyrtec.

[Anonymous]

Anticholinergic medications can cause drug-induced urinary retention, which is most allergy medications.

Try Borion Allium Cepa 6c pellets instead. It's a component of onions, but the pellets taste like sugar. We love it here, just gave to DD tonight. Whole Foods and Vitamin Shop have it, or Amazon. Can also use Nasalcrom, it's not a steroid spray, but need to spray like 3x/day. If child can't pee, might need catheter at hospital. Sorry you're going through this!

[Anonymous]

Hope your DS could pee this morning!

[Anonymous]

OP back. Thanks to everyone for your advice and kind words. Thankfully DD did pee after what I estimate was 21 hours. The ped said we should head to ER if DD had any discomfort, which she thankfully didn’t. I’m just glad we noticed and didn’t give her another dose. Now considering other meds and the pellets.

And yes it was a half dose of children’s Zyrtec dissolve tabs, which many kids take with no issues.

[Anonymous]

DS had a handful of issues on Zyrtec including severe ear pain. (Didn't experience any problems with peeing.) Switched to generic for Claritin and no problems since then.

[Anonymous]

OMG obviously stop using it.

[Anonymous]

Zyrtec has absolutely insane side effects, including suicidality. Don't use it!

[Anonymous]

Is there any difference in using the syrup versus the tabs? Asking because we’ve always used the syrup - do I need to consider switching?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Zyrtec has absolutely insane side effects, including suicidality. Don't use it!

One of my kids had side effects from zyrtec, it made him full of rage. My other kids is fine on it, takes it every day all year, and needs it for bad allergies.