Levocetirizine
About Levocetirizine
Levocetirizine belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamines. It is used to treat various allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes. It is commonly prescribed for conditions like hay fever (seasonal allergies), allergic rhinitis, and conjunctivitis (itchy eyes). An allergy is an immune system response to foreign elements typically not harmful to the body.
Levocetirizine contains levocetirizine, which works by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical in your body that causes allergy symptoms. By reducing the effects of histamine, Levocetirizine helps relieve symptoms of allergic reactions such as itching, swelling, and redness.
Possible side effects of Levocetirizine include mild headaches, dry mouth, dizziness, stomach pain, or diarrhea. These side effects usually go away on their own, but if they persist or worsen, contact your doctor.
Levocetirizine should not be taken if you are allergic to levocetirizine, have severe kidney issues, or are under 2 years old. It should also be used with caution if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications like midodrine or ritonavir. Always consult your doctor for guidance on safety.
Uses of Levocetirizine
• Allergic Rhinitis Relief: Levocetirizine is commonly used to relieve symptoms of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, such as sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and itchy or watery eyes.
• Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Treatment: Levocetirizine is effective in managing chronic hives (urticaria) where the cause is unknown, helping to alleviate itching and reduce the severity of outbreaks.
• Allergy Management: Levocetirizine can be used in managing general allergy symptoms caused by environmental factors, such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.
• Skin Allergy Treatment: Levocetirizine can be used to treat certain skin allergies that manifest as itching and redness, offering relief from discomfort associated with allergic reactions.
Medicinal Benefits
- Levocetirizine contains levocetirizine, which is effective in managing mild to moderate allergy symptoms with a lower chance of causing drowsiness.
- It helps relieve common allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes.
- It provides relief from seasonal allergies caused by pollen, dust, and other allergens.
- It is effective for treating year-round allergies triggered by dust mites, pet dander, or mold.
- It reduces itching, redness, and swelling in the eyes due to allergic reactions.
- It alleviates the itching, swelling, and redness associated with hives.
- It helps reduce itching and inflammation from allergic skin conditions like eczema.
- It can reduce itching and swelling caused by insect bites or stings.
- It improves the overall comfort and quality of life for individuals suffering from allergies.
Directions for Use
- Levocetirizine should be taken with or without food as advised by the doctor.
- It is usually taken once a day in the evening or as directed by the doctor.
- Swallow Levocetirizine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Levocetirizine
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Feeling sick
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain
Drug Warnings
- Levocetirizine should not be used if you are allergic to levocetirizine, cetirizine, or any of its components.
- It is contraindicated in patients with severe kidney impairment (creatinine clearance less than 10 mL/min).
- Levocetirizine should be avoided in individuals with urinary retention problems, such as those with an enlarged prostate or bladder obstruction.
- Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as Levocetirizine may not be safe during pregnancy or lactation.
- If you have a history of difficulty passing urine or epilepsy, inform your doctor before starting Levocetirizine.
- Levocetirizine may interfere with skin allergy tests; your doctor may recommend stopping it 72 hours before the test.
- Levocetirizine may cause drowsiness, so avoid activities requiring full mental alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, while taking it.
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 prescribedIt can be used in children, but the dosage and age restrictions depend on the specific formulation and the child's age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid dairy products around the time you take Levocetirizine, as they may interfere with the absorption of the medication, reducing its effectiveness.
- Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds) and antioxidants (such as berries, tomatoes, and leafy greens) to help reduce inflammation and support immune function.
- Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, as dehydration can exacerbate side effects like dry mouth and dizziness, which can occur with antihistamines.
- Consume vitamin C-rich foods (such as citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries) to support your immune system and help reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
- If you have food allergies, carefully avoid trigger foods (like nuts, shellfish, or dairy) to prevent allergic flare-ups, and always check labels when consuming packaged foods.
- Minimize exposure to allergens by keeping windows closed during peak pollen seasons and using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or air purifiers in your home.
- Clean your living spaces regularly, especially carpets, bedding, and upholstery, to reduce dust mites, pet dander, and other common indoor allergens.
- Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, as it can irritate your respiratory system and worsen allergy symptoms, including congestion and wheezing.
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or regular physical activity, as stress can weaken your immune system and make allergic reactions more severe.
- Maintain a healthy weight through regular physical activity and a balanced diet. Obesity can worsen allergy symptoms and conditions like asthma, making management more difficult.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Allergy: 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 is used to treat various types of allergies. It is commonly used for conditions like hay fever (caused by pollen or dust), allergic conjunctivitis (itchy or red eyes), eczema (dermatitis), hives (raised red patches), reactions to insect bites or stings, and some food allergies. It works by blocking histamine, a chemical in the body that causes allergic symptoms, helping to relieve sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes.
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 by 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 (runny 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 during the day. Hence, you are recommended to take it at night if you experience excessive drowsiness during 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.
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.
Yes, you can take Levocetirizine together with painkillers. However, it should be taken only if prescribed by the doctor only.
The side effects of Levocetirizine include dry mouth, headaches, tiredness, feeling sick, stomach pain and dizziness. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, do not stop taking Levocetirizine without first consulting your doctor. If you discontinue in between the treatment, the symptoms of allergy may recur.
No, Levocetirizine is not an antibiotic. It is an anti-allergic medicine used for symptomatic relief from allergic conditions and rhinitis.
Levocetirizine starts working and shows improvement within 1 hour of taking it. However, to show full benefits, it may take a little longer.
You are recommended to consult your doctor before taking Levocetirizine with Fexofenadine or other medicines.
Levocetirizine is safe if it is used as advised by your doctor. Do not take it for longer durations or do not exceed the dose as it may increase the risk of side effects.
You are recommended to use Levocetirizine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while using Levocetirizine, please consult your doctor.
It is recommended to consult a doctor before taking Levocetirizine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Levocetirizine is not recommended for children below 6 years of age. For children, above 6 years, use Levocetirizine in doses as prescribed by the doctor only.
Store Levocetirizine at room temperature protected from light and moisture. Keep it out of reach and sight of children.