Levocetirizine

Levocetirizine is a medication used for the treatment of seasonal and indoor (perennial) allergies and hives. This medication belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines. These work by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes.

Levocetirizine comes in tablet and oral solution (liquid) forms. It is usually taken once daily in the evening.

Common side effects include tiredness, weakness, and sore throat.

Levocetirizine can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Levocetirizine is a prescription and over-the-counter medication used to treat seasonal and indoor (perennial) allergies. It is also used to treat chronic hives.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Levocetirizine may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Xyzal

Serious side effects have been reported with levocetirizine. See the "Levocetirizine Precautions" section.

Common side effects of levocetirizine include:

• drowsiness
• tiredness
• weakness
• sore throat
• dry mouth
• fever
• cough
• nosebleed

This is not a complete list of levocetirizine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Antidepressants
• Antipyrine (Phenazone, in Auralgan, Aurodex, and Auroto)
• Azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Erythromycin (E-mycin, Erythrocin)
• Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• Medications for anxiety, mental illness, or seizures
• Sedative or sleeping pills
• Theophylline (Theolair, Slo-Bid)
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• Ritonavir (Norvir)

Do not consume alcohol while using levocetirizine.

This is not a complete list of levocetirizine drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with levocetirizine including the following:

• drowsiness
• tiredness
• weakness
• sore throat
• dry mouth
• fever
• cough
• nosebleed

Levocetirizine can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Xyzal affects you.

Do not take levocetirizine if you:

• are allergic to levocetirizine or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to cetirizine (Zyrtec) or to any of its ingredients
• have end-stage renal disease or any other kidney disease

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of levocetirizine, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking levocetirizine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to levocetirizine or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to cetirizine (Zyrtec) or to any of its ingredients
• have kidney problems
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X - are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Levocetirizine falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with levocetirizine. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Levocetirizine is assumed to be excreted in human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using levocetirizine.

Take levocetirizine exactly as prescribed.

Levocetirizine comes in tablet and oral solution (liquid) forms. It is usually taken once daily in the evening.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take 2 doses of levocetirizine at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• other medical conditions you have
• your age

The recommended dose of levocetirizine for adults and children aged 12 years and older is 5 mg once daily in the evening.

The recommended dose of levocetirizine for children aged 6 to 11 years is 2.5 mg once daily in the evening.

If you take too much levocetirizine, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If levocetirizine is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store levocetirizine at room temperature.
• Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.