Levocetirizine Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Levocetirizine Tablet contains levocetirizine (levocetirizine dihydrochloride), an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms and itching caused by hives. It is available as a tablet and an oral solution, by prescription or over the counter. It works by blocking histamine, a natural chemical in the body that causes allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itching.

What is Levocetirizine Tablet

Levocetirizine is an antihistamine medicine used to relieve allergy symptoms and itching caused by hives. It comes as a tablet and an oral solution, available both by prescription and over the counter.

Levocetirizine Tablet uses

• Seasonal and year-round (perennial) allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes
• Chronic urticaria (long-lasting hives) and the itching it causes
• Allergic rhinitis

Benefits of Levocetirizine Tablet

• Reduces sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes
• Reduces itching and skin reactions caused by hives
• Considered less sedating than older, first-generation antihistamines

How Levocetirizine Tablet works

Levocetirizine blocks the release and action of histamine, a natural chemical in the body that causes allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itching.

Levocetirizine Tablet dosage

Take once a day in the evening, with or without food, to help prevent daytime drowsiness. Take it at the same time every day. The tablet can be cut or crushed if needed. Do not take more or less than directed, or more often than prescribed.

If using the oral solution, measure the liquid carefully with a dosing syringe or medicine dose-measuring device, not a kitchen spoon. A child's dose is based on the child's age; follow the doctor's instructions carefully and do not give a child more than the prescribed dose.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose; do not take two doses at once or more than one dose in 24 hours.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablet (5 mg)
• Oral solution (2.5 mg/5 mL)

Side effects of Levocetirizine Tablet

Common

• Drowsiness, tiredness
• Dry mouth
• Sore throat
• Nasopharyngitis (redness and inflammation of nose and throat)
• Headache
• Fever
• Cough
• Nosebleed
• Diarrhea, vomiting, constipation
• Ear infections
• Weight gain
• Sinus pain

Serious

• Allergic reaction: rash, itching, hives, swelling of lips, tongue, face, or throat
• Kidney problems: trouble urinating, changes in how much you urinate, blood in urine
• Blurry vision
• Painful or difficult urination, little or no urination
• Light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
• Severe itching that occurs after stopping the medicine following long-term daily use

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take more than the recommended dose, since higher doses raise the risk of drowsiness. This medicine can cause severe allergic reactions, with symptoms like rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat; severe symptoms need emergency care. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to levocetirizine or cetirizine, you should not take this medicine again because it could be life-threatening.
• Some people have reported severe, widespread itching after stopping this medicine following long-term daily use lasting months or years. This medicine should not be given to children younger than 6 months old, and the tablet form is not recommended for children under 6 years old.
• Levocetirizine is generally considered safe during pregnancy for treating allergy symptoms and has not been shown to harm the unborn baby in available research, but it should only be used if your doctor recommends it.
• Levocetirizine can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness or other side effects in a breastfed baby, so you should talk to your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
• People with kidney disease need lower doses because the drug stays in the body longer, and those with severe kidney disease or on dialysis should not take this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver disease before taking this medicine.
• Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine can increase drowsiness and dizziness. This medicine can cause drowsiness, so avoid driving, using machinery, or doing other activities that require alertness until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store this drug at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
• Don't store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.
• Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.
• Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor if you have worsening allergy or hive symptoms, painful or difficult urination, little or no urination, a light-headed feeling like you might faint, fever, or signs of an ear infection.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact your doctor or a poison control center right away; if symptoms are severe, get emergency medical care immediately.
• Contact your doctor if you develop severe, widespread itching after stopping this medicine.

Alternatives

• Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• Xyzal Allergy 24HR
• Xyzal
• Levrix (discontinued)