What is Levocetirizine?
Levocetirizine is an antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinitis and long-term hives of unknown causes. It is marketed under the brand name Xyzal, among others. It is less sedative than older antihistamines. It is swallowed by the mouth.
- It works by blocking a certain natural substance that your body produces during an allergic reaction (histamine).
Levocetirizine uses
Levocetirizine is an antihistamine that is used for alleviating symptoms of some allergies, such as
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Eye/nose itching
- Sneezing
It is sometimes used to alleviate hives and scratching
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Get A Second OpinionSide effects of Levocetirizine
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Runny Or Stuffy Nose
- Sore Throat
- Central Nervous System Depression
- Drowsiness
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Mental Or Physical Weariness
- Disturbed Coordination
- Restlessness
- Inability To Sleep (Insomnia)
- Shakiness (Tremors)
- Intense Excitement
- Nervousness
- The Disturbed State Of Mind
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Seizures
- Upper Abdominal Distress
- Loss Of Appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Impaired Bile Flow (Cholestasis)
- Inflammation Of The Liver (Hepatitis)
- Liver Failure
- Liver Function Abnormality
- Fast Heart Rate
- Ecg Changes
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm (Extra Heartbeat, Heart Block)
- Low Blood Pressure
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Difficult Or Painful Urination
- Urinary Retention
- Impotence
- Spinning Sensation (Vertigo)
- Visual Disturbances
- Blurred Vision
- Double Vision
- Ringing In The Ears (Tinnitus)
- Acute Inflammation Of The Inner Ear
- Irritability
- Involuntary Movement Of Facial Muscles
- The Tightness Of The Chest
- Thickening Of Bronchial Secretions
- Wheezing
- Sweating
- Chills
- Early Menses
- Toxic Psychosis
- Headache
- Faintness
- Numbness And Tingling
- Lowered White Blood Cell Count
- Low Red Blood Cell Count
- Deficiency Of Platelets
Precautions Before Taking Levocetirizine
- Inform your doctor or pharmacist about any allergies to Levocetirizine, cetirizine, hydroxyzine, or other substances.
- Disclose your medical history, especially if you have difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland or kidney disease.
- Be cautious of drowsiness, especially when consuming alcohol or marijuana; avoid activities requiring alertness.
- Liquid formulations may contain sugar and/or aspartame, so consult your doctor if you have diabetes or phenylketonuria.
- Inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking, including prescription, nonprescription, and herbal products, before surgery.
- Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be discussed with your doctor, considering the risks and benefits.
- Levocetirizine does not deter or prevent or treat extreme allergic reactions (such as anaphylaxis).
- If your doctor has prescribed epinephrine to treat allergic reactions, always bring your injector with you. Do not try to use Levocetirizine in place of epinephrine.
How to Use Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride?
- Follow all instructions on the product label for over-the-counter use; consult your pharmacist/doctor with any questions.
- Take orally in the evening, with or without food, usually once daily.
- Use a special measuring device/spoon for liquid form; do not use a household spoon.
- The dosage depends on age, medical condition, and treatment response; do not exceed the prescribed dose or frequency.
Interactions:
- Share a list of all medications with your doctor, including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products.
- Consult your doctor before starting, stopping, or adjusting any medication.
- Avoid drugs causing drowsiness, like opioid pain or cough relievers, alcohol, cannabis, sleep/anxiety pills, muscle relaxants, or other antihistamines.
- Check labels of all drugs for drowsiness-causing ingredients.
- Avoid using other skin-applied antihistamines.
- Do not use hydroxyzine or cetirizine concurrently with levocetirizine.
- Certain lab tests may be affected; inform lab staff and doctors about medication use.
Missed Dose
If you have forgotten to take any doses, take it as soon as you recall. If the time for the next dose has already come, skip the forgotten dose.
Overdose
Do not overdose. If someone takes too much, something serious can happen; immediately go to the doctor.
Storage
- Keep this drug securely locked with a tight bottle cap/container and out of the reach of children.
- Store it away from excess heat/direct heat and moisture at room temperature.
- Unwanted drugs should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that they can not be ingested by pets, infants, and other individuals.
| Levocetirizine | Cetirizine |
|---|---|
| Molar mass: 388.8878 g/mol | Molar mass: 388.89 g/mol |
| brand name Xyzal | brand name Zyrtec |
| used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and long term hives of unclear cause | used to treat dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and urticaria. |
Citations
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Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Levocetirizine is an antihistamine that decreases the effects of histamine, a natural chemical in the body.
Some common side effects are dry mouth, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, central nervous system depression, drowsiness, and sedation.
Previous research has shown that levocetirizine is less sedative than cetirizine and that it is equal to 5 mg of cetirizine with 2.5 mg of levocetirizine. The R-enantiomer of cetirizine is levocetirizine, and the researchers thought it would be more potent.
Levocetirizine is referred to as a non-drowsy antihistamine; in a few individuals, however, it can still induce drowsiness. Before you drive and before you use equipment or machines, ensure that your reactions are natural.
No, levocetirizine is not a steroid. It is an antihistamine that acts by blocking the effects of a compound that the body produces called histamine.
Yes, levocetirizine can be used to alleviate symptoms associated with the common cold, such as sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion, particularly when these symptoms are related to allergic reactions.
People who use Xyzal (levocetirizine)-an antihistamine similar to Zyrtec (cetirizine)-have found that they have put on extra pounds, which is what has been experienced by a very small number of patients who used the medication during studies.
A fixed-dose combination of Paracetamol, Phenylephrine, and Levocetirizine is safe and effective for treating common colds and allergic rhinitis in infants.
Anti-allergy drugs, such as antihistamines, can be prescribed if allergies are the source of chronic sinusitis. Agents such as Levocetirizine contain these.
Pregnancy Group B drugs are also new antihistamines, such as over-the-counter loratadine (Claritin, generic forms) and cetirizine (Zyrtec, generic forms). Xyzal is a newer prescription antihistamine that is pregnancy category B (levocetirizine).
Yes, many studies have demonstrated that levocetirizine is safe.
