Cetirizine

Also Zyrtec has definitely helped my POTS symptoms, temperature dysregulation, low grade fevers, etc.

I'm taking Zyrtec (cetirizine) once a day (went up to twice a day for a few months with the LC clinic guidance) and it helps me. Once in a while I switch to Xyzal (levocetirizine) which is the sister of Zyrtec and more potent in half the dose.

Dr. Tina Peers discusses the use of cetirizine, an antihistamine, as part of a step-by-step approach to managing symptoms of Long Covid, particularly those related to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). She suggests starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it to assess its effectiveness. If cetirizine does not work, she recommends trying other antihistamines like loratadine or fexofenadine. Dr. Peers emphasizes the importance of tailoring treatment to individual responses and combining it with other medications like mast cell stabilizers or leukotriene inhibitors if needed. She also highlights the potential benefits of addressing related issues like gut health and inflammation.

Dr. Theoharis Theoharides discusses the use of antihistamines, including cetirizine (Zyrtec), for managing mast cell-related symptoms in Long Covid. He emphasizes the importance of starting with low doses and gradually increasing them to avoid side effects like sedation or bladder retention. He also highlights the need for histamine II blockers, such as famotidine, to protect the stomach and reduce mast cell activation. Dr. Theoharides advises trying different antihistamines if one is not tolerated and considering flavonoids like luteolin as a supplementary treatment.

This paper looked at two cases of people with Long Covid, also known as Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC), who were treated with over-the-counter antihistamines, including cetirizine. The researchers observed how these antihistamines affected the patients' symptoms and their ability to carry out daily activities.

The study found that both patients experienced significant improvement in their symptoms and were better able to perform daily tasks after taking antihistamines. This suggests that histamine might play a role in the development of Long Covid symptoms.

For someone living with Long Covid, this paper suggests that antihistamines like cetirizine could potentially help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. However, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before trying this treatment.

This paper is based on a case study of only two individuals, which limits its reliability. While published in a reputable journal, larger and more controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish broader applicability.

This study explored the use of social media mining to identify medications and supplements that people with long COVID are using to manage their symptoms. Researchers analyzed nearly 70,000 posts from the Reddit community '/r/covidlonghaulers' using a named-entity recognition algorithm to extract mentions of substances and medication patterns.

The study found that histamine antagonists, such as cetirizine, along with famotidine, magnesium, vitamins, and steroids, were frequently mentioned by users. Network analysis revealed clusters of substances, suggesting common medication strategies, and highlighted antihistamines as promising candidates for drug repurposing.

For individuals with long COVID, this study suggests that antihistamines like cetirizine may be worth exploring as a potential treatment option. It also highlights the value of patient-shared experiences in identifying new treatment possibilities.

The study is moderately reliable as it uses observational data from social media, which may include biases or inaccuracies. However, it was published in JMIR Formative Research, a reputable journal, and provides a novel approach to identifying treatment strategies.