Zyrtec and Weight Gain

If you're taking Zyrtec and weight gain becomes a problem, try participating in regular physical activity on most days of the week and eating a heart-healthy diet. Also talk with your healthcare provider, as he or she may suggest other lifestyle modifications. If weight gain with Zyrtec continues, you may need a different allergy medicine.

 

Zyrtec and Weight Gain: An Overview

Many side effects are possible when taking Zyrtec® (cetirizine hydrochloride). One uncommon side effect, occurring in less than 2 percent of people taking the drug, is weight gain. Given how infrequently weight gain occurs in people taking Zyrtec, it is difficult to say whether it is caused by the medicine, other factors, or a combination of both.
 

Zyrtec and Weight Gain: Suggestions

If you are noticing a weight gain with Zyrtec, there are some things you can do. Some suggestions include the following:
 
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet that includes:
 
    • Fruits, vegetables, grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
    • Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
    • Few foods with saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars
 
  • Participate in regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week
     
  • Limit your intake of alcohol.
     
(Click BMI Calculator to see if your weight is within a healthy range.)
 

Zyrtec and Weight Gain: Final Thoughts

If you continue to notice a weight gain with Zyrtec, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she can give you other suggestions for dealing with this. If the weight gain continues, your healthcare provider may recommend other lifestyle choices or switching to another allergy medication.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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