Does Cetirizine Cause Weight Gain?

H1 receptor antihistamines such as cetirizine, fexofenadine

, and desloratadine are among the most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of allergies and have been shown to stimulate appetite and weight gain as side effects of treatment (6).

Can you gain weight from cetirizine?

Antihistamines may also increase appetite, which can cause weight gain. Anecdotally, people using Xyzal (levocetirizine)—an antihistamine similar to Zyrtec (cetirizine)—they have noticed they have put on extra pounds, which is what a very small percentage of patients who used the drug during trials experienced.

What antihistamine does not cause weight gain?

Newer drugs, including cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra) and loratadine (Claritin), are less likely to cause weight gain, according to Long.