Medicines/Generics/Levocetirizine

Levocetirizine

Generic medicine reference

Not yet clinically reviewed

This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.

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Overview

Levocetirizine is an antihistamine that may be used to reduce allergy symptoms such as red, itchy, or watery eyes; a runny nose; sneezing; rashes; itching; or reactions to insect bites or stings. It is available as a tablet or solution that is taken once a day. Levocetirizine treats adults and children aged 6 months and older with: seasonal or year-round (also called perennial) allergies chronic (long-lasting) urticaria (hives). Levocetirizine works by reducing the effects of a natural chemical in the body called histamine. Histamine can produce symptoms such as a runny nose or hives. Levocetirizine gained FDA approval in 2007. It is available in prescription and over-the-counter formulations as an oral tablet or an oral solution. Brand names include Xyzal and Levrix (discontinued), and it is available as a generic.

Indications

Contraindications

You should not use levocetirizine if you are allergic to levocetirizine or cetirizine ( Zyrtec ). You should not take levocetirizine if you have end-stage kidney disease or if you are on dialysis. Any child younger than 12 years old with kidney disease should not take levocetirizine. Tell your doctor if you have ever had: kidney disease; liver disease; urination problems (caused by conditions such as enlarged prostate or spinal cord lesion); or gallbladder problems. Levocetirizine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intending to become pregnant. You should not breast-feed while taking levocetirizine. Levocetirizine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 months old.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to levocetirizine: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Levocetirizine may cause serious side effects. Stop using levocetirizine and call your doctor at once if you have: worsening allergy or urticaria symptoms; painful or difficult urination; little or no urination; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; fever; or signs of an ear infection--ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage from the ear, fussiness in a child. Common side effects of levocetirizine may include: drowsiness, tiredness; sinus pain; ear infection; cough; fever; nosebleed; vomiting , diarrhea , constipation ; dry mouth; or weight gain. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Follow all the directions on your levocetirizine label and package. Tell all your healthcare providers that you take levocetirizine. Rarely, some people have reported severe itching when stopping levocetirizine after daily, long-term use of at least a few months or several years. If you experience widespread, severe itching on stopping this medication, contact your healthcare provider.

High Risk Groups

Adult Dosage

5 mg (5 (5)) 24 hourly PO — Scraped Dose — Do not give a child more than the prescribed dose of levocetirizine. A child's body absorbs twice as much of the same dose of levocetirizine as an adult's body. Taking more levocetirizine than instructed will not make it more effective, and may cause severe drowsiness. Levocetirizine is usually taken in the evening, with or without food.

Child Dosage

2.5 mg (2.5 (2.5)) As recommended. —

Neonatal Dosage

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Drug Interactions

Using levocetirizine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures . Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: ritonavir ; or theophylline . This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect levocetirizine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Storage

No storage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Available Brands in Pakistan

42 active brands listed alphabetically.

Levocetirizine

Available Brands in Pakistan

ALLERNO

ATIZA

BELAIR

BIANCHI

CITI-VO

CITRAFAST

ETRIZINE-L

HELVIN

HISTASET

HISTASUN

IEVOCEN

INVOCET

IRNAZIN

IVOCEN

JARDIN

L-CETRA

LECET

LECETZI

LEOZIN

LERIDAL

LETRIX

LEVE-CIT

LEVERA

LEVIL

LE-VIN

LEVOCETRIN

LEVOCIT

LEVOCIT

LEVOCITRIN

LEVOGIX

LEVOLINE

LEVO MELT

LIXER

L-ZINE

M PLUS

NEO-SEDIL

NOLAR

SETZINE

TANDEGYL-DAY

T-DAY

XYZAL

ZECIT-L