Levocetirizine
About
Levocetirizine belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamine or anti-allergic. It contains levocetirizine, Levocetirizine is an R-enantiomer of cetirizine primarily used to treat various kinds of allergies. An allergy is an immune system response to foreign elements typically not harmful to your body. These foreign elements are known as 'allergens.' Allergic condition varies from person to person. Some might be allergic to certain foods and seasonal allergies like hay fever. At the same time, others might be allergic to pollen or pet dander.
Levocetirizine contains levocetirizine, a non-drowsy antihistamine. It's less likely to make you feel sleepy than some other antihistamines. However, some people still find it makes them feel quite sleepy, which is used to treat allergies as it blocks the effects of a chemical messenger known as histamine, which is naturally involved in allergic reactions. Levocetirizine is widely used to treat hay fever (an allergy caused by pollen or dust), conjunctivitis (red, itchy eye), eczema (dermatitis), hives (red, raised patches or dots), reactions to insect bites and stings and some food allergies.
You can take Levocetirizine with food or without food. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, bite, or break it. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take your tablets based on your medical condition. Sometimes, you may experience headaches, dry mouth, sickness, dizziness, stomach pain and diarrhoea. Most of these side effects of Levocetirizine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor. levocetirizine
You should not take the Levocetirizine if you are allergic to levocetirizine or have severe kidney failure (creatinine clearance less than 10 ml/min), urinary retention problem, and fructose intolerance. Do not give this medicine to children younger than two years of age. Check with your doctor if you are taking midodrine to treat low blood pressure and ritonavir for HIV infection. Let your doctor know if you are a pregnant woman or a nursing mother before taking Levocetirizine; your doctor will decide whether Levocetirizine can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Uses of Levocetirizine
Medicinal Benefits
Levocetirizine is used to treat allergies as it blocks the effects of a chemical messenger known as ‘histamine,’ which is naturally involved in allergic reactions. Levocetirizine is used to treat adults and children (aged two years and above) who have hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis), round-the-year dust or pet allergies (perennial allergic rhinitis), and urticaria (swelling, redness, and itchiness of the skin). In short, it helps to relieve the discomfort and unpleasant symptoms that occur due to allergic conditions, like blocked/runny/itchy nose, red/watery eyes, and skin rashes.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Levocetirizine
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Feeling sick
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Levocetirizine, consult your doctor. If you have kidney problems, dose adjustment might be required; the doctor will do it depending upon your disease's condition. Please inform your doctor if you have a problem passing urine and have epilepsy (fits) before starting Levocetirizine. If you are supposed to undergo skin testing, the doctor might advise you to stop taking Levocetirizine 72 hours before the test as it decreases response to skin prick test. Patients should be cautioned against getting engaged in work which requires too much mental alertness, like operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle after intake of Levocetirizine. Concurrent use of Levocetirizine with alcohol or other antidepressants should be avoided as it can reduce your mental alertness. Levocetirizine can also be taken under medical supervision by children aged 1 year and older. Patients should avoid taking overdosage of Levocetirizine because of the increased risk of sleepiness and drowsiness at higher doses.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Levocetirizine have interactions with other antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine), Antidepressant (such as duloxetine), pain killer (such as pregabalin), a medicine used to treat low blood pressure (such as midodrine), a medicine used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (such as alprazolam), and anti-viral or anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir).
Drug-Food Interaction: Alcohol and St John's wort plant (a plant used as an anti-depressant) should not be used along with Levocetirizine.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Levocetirizine is contraindicated in kidney disease, epilepsy (fits), urinary bladder problem (Urinary Tract Obstruction) and alcoholism.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeLevocetirizine may cause excessive dizziness when taken with alcohol so, together intake should be avoided.
Pregnancy
cautionLevocetirizine is pregnancy category B medicine so it can be used by the pregnant mother only if your doctor has prescribed it.
Breast Feeding
cautionLevocetirizine is known to pass on in a limited quantity via breast milk to the child. Levocetirizine should not be taken until prescribed. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
cautionPlease drive with caution; Levocetirizine usually does not causes blurry vision, but it may affect driving ability in some.
Liver
safe if prescribedLimited information was available for the use of Levocetirizine in patients suffering from liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding using Levocetirizine in patients with liver impairment. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionLevocetirizine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with less than 10 mL/min creatinine clearance or patients undergoing hemodialysis should not take Levocetirizine.
Children
safe if prescribedGenerally, Levocetirizine is not recommended for children below 6 years with or without a doctor's consent. In case it has to be given, then the dose has to be adjusted and recommended by a child specialist only.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Staying hydrated is vital for those with a cough or cold. Drinking liquids at room temperature can alleviate cough, runny nose, and sneezing.
- The immune system is affected by stress and raises the risk of being sick. An individual can exercise regularly, meditate, do deep breathing, and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to relieve stress.
- To stay fit and safe, try to sleep at least 8 hours each night.
- It is advised to avoid contact with known allergens (allergy-causing agents) such as pollen, dust, etc. Certain food items are known to cause allergies to you.
- Maintain personal hygiene and keep your surroundings clean.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
An allergy is an immune system response to foreign elements typically not harmful to your body. These foreign elements are known as ‘allergens.’ Allergic condition varies from person to person. Some might be allergic to certain foods and seasonal allergies like hay fever. At the same time, others might be allergic to pollen or pet dander. Levocetirizine is a non-drowsy antihistamine which makes it less likely to make you feel sleepy compared to other antihistamines or antiallergics.
Hay fever: Hay fever/allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with the mouth, nose, eyes and throat. Hay fever symptoms include sneezing and coughing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy, red or watery eyes, itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears, loss of smell, pain around the temples and forehead, headache, earache and feeling tired.
Eczema: Eczema is a condition in which skin patches become inflamed, itchy, cracked and rough. Some eczema types can also lead to blisters (a small bubble on the skin filled with serum) and are caused by friction, burning, or other damage.
Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis is an eye condition caused by infection or allergies. It is also known as red or pink eye.
FAQs
Levocetirizine contains levocetirizine (anti-histamine), which is used to treat allergies as it blocks the effects of a chemical messenger known as ‘histamine,’ which is naturally involved in allergic reactions.
Hay fever is an allergy caused due to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, or tiny flecks of skin and saliva shed by cats, dogs, and other animals with fur or feathers (pet dander). It leads to cold-like symptoms (running nose, watery eyes).
Depending upon the severity of allergic conditions due to allergens Levocetirizine can be safely taken daily until you get complete relief and as long as your doctor has advised you to take it.
Levocetirizine is an antihistamine providing instant relief from allergic conditions however, in some people it may cause sleepiness and induce some drowsiness in the day. Hence you are recommended to take it in the night time in case you are experiencing excessive drowsiness in the day.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take Levocetirizine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
You should not take Levocetirizine if you have had an allergic reaction to Levocetirizine, food additives containing E218 or E216, intolerant to lactose or sorbitol, have liver or kidney failure, epilepsy (fits), difficulty in peeing. Tell your doctor that you are taking Levocetirizine and have booked an allergy test as it might affect the diagnostic result.
No, Levocetirizine should not be taken if you are intolerant to sugar; please contact your doctor before taking Levocetirizine to avoid any unpleasant side effects.
You should not take Levocetirizine if you have had an allergic reaction to Levocetirizine, food additives containing E218 or E216, intolerant to lactose or sorbitol, have liver or kidney failure, epilepsy (fits), difficulty in peeing. Tell your doctor that you are taking Levocetirizine and have booked an allergy test as it might affect the diagnostic result.
Yes, you can take Levocetirizine together with painkillers. However, it should be taken only if prescribed by the doctor only.
