About LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE
LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE is a combination medication used to treat certain parasitic infections such as Bancroft's filariasis, Eosinophilic lung, Loiasis, and River blindness. Parasitic infections are diseases caused by parasites that live in or on another host or organism. This disease spreads from person to person by mosquitoes and black flies.
LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE is a combination of two drugs: levocetirizine (antihistamine) and Diethylcarbamazine (anthelmintic). Levocetirizine belongs to the class of antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs) that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps to provide relief from allergic symptoms. Diethylcarbamazine is an anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) that works by causing paralysis of the worms by reducing muscular activity.
Take LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. Sometimes, you may experience dizziness, headache, dry mouth, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, drowsiness, or tiredness. Most of these side effects of LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Do not take LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE if you are allergic to any component present in it; if you are unsure, check with your healthcare professional. Do not consume LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE unless instructed by the doctor If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Regular eye check-ups are recommended while taking LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE as it may cause night blindness, tunnel vision, or loss of vision if used for a prolonged time. If you have fits, urinary retention, or serious kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE.
Uses of LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE
Parasitic infections (Bancroft's filariasis, Eosinophilic lung, Loiasis, and River blindness)
Medicinal Benefits
LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE is made up of two drugs: levocetirizine and diethylcarbamazine. Certain parasite illnesses, such as Bancroft's filariasis, Eosinophilic lung, Loiasis, and River blindness, are treated with LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE. Levocetirizine is an antihistamine (anti-allergic medication) that acts by preventing the activity of histamine, a chemical that causes allergic reactions. It aids in the alleviation of allergy symptoms. Diethylcarbamazine is an anthelmintic (antiparasitic) that paralyzes worms by decreasing their muscular activity.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Drowsiness
- Joint pain
- Skin rash
- Tiredness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Avoid taking LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE if you find any allergic or hypersensitive reactions while taking the medicine. Do not take LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. Levocetirizine is not recommended for patients with end-stage renal disease (CrCl 10 mL/min) or those receiving hemodialysis. It is also not recommended for pediatric patients with weak renal function (ages six months to 11 years). So, if you or your caretaker have any kidney problems, tell your doctor. Do not drive or operate machines; this medicine can cause dizziness or blurred vision. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition, medications, and medical history to rule out any side effects/interactions. LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE should be used in children only if prescribed by the paediatrician.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE may interact with anaesthetic medications (e.g. esketamine), anti-allergic drugs (e.g. diphenhydramine), antidepressants (e.g. duloxetine), and anticonvulsants (e.g. pregabalin).
Drug-Food Interaction: LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid intake of alcohol with LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE as it may cause increased drowsiness, dizziness, and lack of concentration.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have fits, urinary retention, or serious kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol with LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE as it may increase adverse effects.
Pregnancy
cautionLEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE.
Breast Feeding
cautionCaution should be exercised. LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE should not be used in nursing mothers unless clearly necessary. So, inform the doctor if you are breastfeeding. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the medicine, considering the importance of the medication to the mother.
Driving
cautionLEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE may cause drowsiness or dizziness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE.
Liver
cautionIt should be used with caution if you have liver problems. Inform your doctor before receiving LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE if you have a history of liver diseases. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionIt should be used with caution if you have kidney problems. Inform your doctor before receiving LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE if you have a history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
cautionLEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE is not recommended for children under six years old as safety and effectiveness were not established. However, for children above six years, LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE should be used with caution if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients and have less refined sugars/processed foods.
- Fiber is important for bowel movement, which helps to cleanse parasites from the body, so include more fibre-rich foods in the body, like oats.
- Pumpkin seeds, papaya seeds, garlic and honey are considered antiparasitic foods. So, it is best to include them in your diet.
- Sometimes, doctors may recommend a grain-free, sugar-free diet. In contrast, others may recommend limiting fruit intake to reduce further dietary sugars, so it is better to talk to your nutritionist.
Special Advise
- If you are about to take an allergy skin test, inform your doctor that you are taking LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE, as you may be advised to stop taking LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE for three days before the test.
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE to monitor blood count and liver function.
- Regular eye checkups to monitor vision loss, night blindness, or tunnel vision.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Parasitic infections: Parasitic worms, also called intestinal worms or helminths, are infections caused by parasites (micro-organisms) that live in or on another host/organism. These infections can occur due to consuming contaminated water, food or soil, contact with contaminated faeces, poor sanitisation and poor hygiene. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and dysentery (bloody stools). LEVOCETIRIZINE+DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE is used in treating infections of the roundworms, hookworms, threadworms, whipworms, pinworms, and flukes caused by parasites.
Bancroft’s Filariasis: It is also known as elephantiasis and is caused by thread-like worms that live inside the human lymphatic system. The lymphatic system of the body consists of fluid and is responsible for fighting infections. This disease spreads from person to person by mosquitoes. Common symptoms include swelling in the legs, arms, breasts, or genitals. The legs are most commonly affected, while skin may also be affected, causing dry, ulcerated, thick, pitted, or darker than normal skin.
Eosinophilic lung: This is a disease related to lung problems in which white blood cells in the body increase. White blood cells are responsible for fighting allergic reactions and certain infections. Some of the symptoms of this disease include cough, chest pain, tightness, increased mucus, rapid breathing, bloody mucus, and shortness of breath.
Loiasis: It is also called 'African eye worm', which is an infectious parasitic disease transmitted to humans by the bite of Chrysops fly species. A person infected with this disease may face itchy, non-painful swellings in their body. Sometimes, a person may see worms crawling under their skin or across the eye's surface.
River blindness: It is caused by a parasitic worm and is transmitted through repeated bites by black flies near rivers and streams. If not treated, it may cause visual impairment and sometimes blindness.
