Hi all,

 

I did not know where to put this question, so I created a new topic for general questions. But please let me know if this should be put somewhere else. 

 

I see that anti histamine tablets are often not recommended. Why is that if I may ask? 

Talked to a few people who told me they found significant relief from these tablets in withdrawal as they suspected MAST cell activation causing symptoms. 

 

Just wondering what the thoughts are on this? 🙂
 

Hey @Sophia

 

Ive renamed this and moved it to the symptoms and coping skills forum. 
 

Thought it could be a useful thread. 
 

We don’t recommend them as we have observed issues from those taking them. 
 

Us Mirtazapine users are particularly vulnerable I think. I myself reacted badly to promethazine. I suspect a few times. 
 

I don’t have any experience with the MAST cell activation topic. 
 

Be great to hear others experiences. 

I think it all depends on what type of antihistamine you use. FIrst-generation antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) affect serotonin pathways (acting as a weak SSRI) and can significantly affect those of us here.

I believe WD has caused MAST cell activation in me, or some other severe histamine issues. It’s been terrible. I use second-generation cetirizine (Zyrtec) and have seen some improvement, however, even this along with an H2 blocker (famotidine) still leaves me with a lot of histamine issues. I don’t get total relief by far. It’s also important to note that most antihistamines need to be tapered if you are on them for any length of time. Zyrtec is one of the worst to taper. Wish I would have known this before my dr started me on it (before I joined SA). There are several forums out there just for those dealing with WD from antihistamines.
 

If I had to do it all over again, I’m not sure I would have chosen this route. I think I would have researched a more natural approach to histamine regulation, such as a low-histamine diet along with a natural supplement or two.

 

Edited March 30Mar 30 by FindRest

@Chippy Ah I see! I think its because Mirtazapine and tricyclic antidepressants directly influence the histamine receptor and the receptors adjust to it during use and rebound in withdrawal. So when using the antihistamines it messes up the natural healing? 

Edited March 30Mar 30 by Sophia

@FindRest Ah thank you for your elaborate answer. I don't think I will touch any other medications right now (especially prescribed ones).

I am just curious; what symptoms do you have that you relate to MAST cell activation or other histamine issues? 

7 minutes ago, Sophia said:

@Chippy Ah I see! I think its because Mirtazapine and tricyclic antidepressants directly influence the histamine receptor and the receptors adjust to it during use and rebound in withdrawal. So when using the antihistamines it messes up the natural healing? 

Yes exactly that, but we are generally cautious of them anyway

12 minutes ago, FindRest said:

f I had to do it all over again, I’m not sure I would have chosen this route. I think I would have researched a more natural approach to histamine regulation, such as a low-histamine diet along with a natural supplement or such. 

100%, I think this is a good rule in general when trying to 'fix' wd. Generally time and a good healthy lifestyle is the answer. Backed up by good healthy coping skills.

This time of year my allergies flare up and I rely on over-the-counter antihistamines when things get bad. I guess it's safer not to take them... sigh, one more thing to white-knuckle!

I take an antihistamine daily over the spring and summer months, I haven't noticed any impact to my withdrawal symptoms so am not inclined to stop taking them. That said, my symptoms are horrific at the moment with dizziness / light-headedness being the most debilitating. I've been reading the Dizziness, vertigo, light-headedness, rocking or swaying sensations thread over on SA and some folks are saying there's a link to antihistamines, but others are saying taking them helps their WD symptoms!

So, clear as mud!

I guess if it works for you that's great, but if not then don't take antihistamines. I'm going to continue with them for now because I've injured my ribs (either broken or bruised) and sneezing causes extreme pain 😬

On 3/30/2026 at 8:16 PM, Sophia said:

Hi all,

 

I did not know where to put this question, so I created a new topic for general questions. But please let me know if this should be put somewhere else. 

 

I see that anti histamine tablets are often not recommended. Why is that if I may ask? 

Talked to a few people who told me they found significant relief from these tablets in withdrawal as they suspected MAST cell activation causing symptoms. 

 

Just wondering what the thoughts are on this? 🙂
 

Late reply to this; but I’ll give my opinion on it as someone who takes antihistamines during protracted withdrawal.

All medications, all supplements will be adhere to personal opinions, anecdotal evidence, and lived experiences. There’s not a single person who knows exactly what should and shouldn’t be taken during withdrawal. Everybody’s nervous systems work completely different, and so does tolerating further medications and supplements, food, you name it.

Just because one person or a group of individuals struggled with handling an antihistamine doesn’t mean EVERYONE will. Look at myself for example; I took melatonin for sleeping issues about a year ago and had awful reactions to it which caused akathisia resurgence, does that mean I should tell everyone to not take it? No. Someone else might take it and be perfectly fine. Just because I can handle an antihistamine tablet daily doesn’t mean someone else might, but I’m certainly not going to start telling people to take it and that it’s safe to do so, because I don’t know? I cannot guarantee that. I can only speak from my own experiences.

MCAS gets thrown around a lot within the withdrawal community and chronic health communities a lot, and whilst the condition itself is very much real, there’s no definitive proof that withdrawal causes it. Abnormal histamine spikes and releases are quite normal, especially with individuals who have functional dysregulation of their nervous systems, gut issues, and more, it doesn’t mean they have MCAS. It’s no different to most people having abnormal severe swings and spikes in cortisol levels in withdrawal, one could argue and point towards that being very much a thyroid, autoimmune issue, or it could very well just be a nervous system, withdrawal thing. We don’t need a label for everything and fearmongering or pressuring others based on one’s negative lived experiences shouldn’t be tolerated either.

If you feel you want to take an antihistamine, give it a go? If you feel taking a particular supplement may help, give it a go? Only you will know what happens after that. The only advice I would give people is to stay clear from reinstating psychotropic medications, certain antibiotics (especially in early stages of recovery) and most pharmaceutical drugs that carry serious side effects or risks.

15 hours ago, Jack said:

If you feel you want to take an antihistamine, give it a go?

I will add a little caution in here. I reacted badly to antihistimines. It is not just a case or 'give it a go' you have to seriously weigh up the risk of injuring yourself with the percieved potential benefit of taking something. There are no backsies! Too many people injury themselves trying things to fix themselves. If you want to try something you should start low and slow. We can't know how one person will react for sure. But we do know that our nervous systems are sensitive and as a result general guidance should be treat yourself with care once you are injured, not just try something if you want to. Obviously do your own risk assessment, but I don't want to encourage this suck it and see approach, I think it can be dangerous.

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/293-medications-supplements-and-other-substances-in-withdrawal

I haven’t touched one and think I won’t! But thanks guys! I do think mirtazepine injured people are even more sensitive to antihistamines, as mirtazepine works on the h1 (histamine) receptor and SSRIs don’t.

47 minutes ago, Sophia said:

as mirtazepine works on the h1 (histamine) receptor and SSRIs don’t.

I think you might be right!

I'm on Citalopram and I have taken famotidine (which kinda helped but just reduces symptoms, doesnt fix the problem) before with no issues. But I don't recommend it as DGL and Ginger chewables helped a lot more.

My anti-histamine of choice is loratadine (or claritin). I think its the only one that doesn't cross the blood brain barrier? But just to be safe I take it 8-12 hours from my daily dose of Citalopram. (I take it at 3pm so antihistamine at midnight or 3 am). I have had no issues so far but I try to only take it as little as I need to.