Table of contents:
- What Drug Levocetirizine?
- What is levocetirizine for?
- How is levocetirizine used?
- How is levocetirizine stored?
- Levocetirizine dosage
- What is the levocetirizine dosage for adults?
- What is the levocetirizine dosage for children?
- In what dosage is levocetirizine available?
- Levocetirizine side effects
- What side effects can be experienced due to levocetirizine?
- Levocetirizine Drug Warnings and Cautions
- What should be known before using levocetirizine?
- Is levocetirizine safe for pregnant and lactating women?
- Levocetirizine Drug Interactions
- What medicines may interact with levocetirizine?
- Can food or alcohol interact with levocetirizine?
- What health conditions may interact with levocetirizine?
- Levocetirizine overdose
- What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
What Drug Levocetirizine?
What is levocetirizine for?
Levocetirizine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as runny or itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, rashes, and itching. Works by blocking certain natural substances (histamine) that the body produces when an allergic reaction occurs.
How is levocetirizine used?
Take this medicine by mouth generally once a day at night, either at mealtime or afterward, as directed by your doctor.
If you are using the liquid form of this medication, measure the dose carefully using a special measuring device / spoon. It is not recommended to measure the dose using a tablespoon to avoid giving an inappropriate dosage.
Dosage depends on your age, health condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or use this medication more often than recommended.
Tell your doctor if the condition does not change or gets worse.
How is levocetirizine stored?
This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.
Levocetirizine dosage
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.
What is the levocetirizine dosage for adults?
Dosage for Allergic Rhinitis in Adults
Seasonal and year-round allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria:
5 mg orally once a day at night
Dosage for Urticaria in Adults
Seasonal and year-round allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria:
5 mg orally once a day at night.
What is the levocetirizine dosage for children?
Osis for Allergic Rhinitis in Children
Seasonal allergic rhinitis:
12 years of age and older: 5 mg orally once a day at night
ages 6-11 years: 2.5 mg orally once a day at night
ages 2 - 5 years: 1.25 mg orally once a day at night
Year-round allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria:
12 years of age and older: 5 mg orally once a day at night
ages 6 - 11 years: 2.5 mg orally once a day at night
ages 6 months - 5 years: 1.25 mg orally once a day at night
Dosage for Urticaria in Children
Seasonal allergic rhinitis:
12 years of age and older: 5 mg orally once a day at night
ages 6-11 years: 2.5 mg orally once a day at night
ages 2 - 5 years: 1.25 mg orally once a day at night
Year-round allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria:
12 years of age and older: 5 mg orally once a day at night
ages 6-11 years: 2.5 mg orally once a day at night
ages 6 months - 5 years: 1.25 mg orally once a day at night.
In what dosage is levocetirizine available?
Tablet, Oral: 5 mg
Solution, Oral: 0.5 mg / mL
Levocetirizine side effects
What side effects can be experienced due to levocetirizine?
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: rash; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using levocetirizine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects such as:
- feel like passing out
- nosebleeds (especially in children)
- ear pain or fullness, hearing problems
- depression, agitation, aggression, hallucinations
- numbness or tingling around the lips or mouth
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- pain or difficulty urinating
- dark urine, foul smelling stools; or
- fever, stomach pain, loss of appetite
Other common side effects can include:
- sleepiness, lethargy
- fatigue
- stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, cough
- vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
- dry mouth; or
- weight gain
Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Levocetirizine Drug Warnings and Cautions
What should be known before using levocetirizine?
Before using levocetirizine,
- tell your doctor if you have an allergy to levocetirizine, cetirizine, or any other drugs
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and prescribed medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you are taking or planning to take. Make sure you mention the following medicines: antidepressants; medicines for anxiety, mental disorders, or seizures; ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); sedative; sleeping pills; theophylline (Theochron, Theolair); and dope. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or watch you for side effects
- tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney disease.
- tell doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using levocetirizine, call your doctor
- It is important to know that levocetirizine can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you
- ask your doctor about the safety of using alcoholic beverages while you are taking levocetirizine. Alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by this drug
Is levocetirizine safe for pregnant and lactating women?
There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:
A = Not at risk
B = No risk in several studies
C = May be risky
D = There is positive evidence of risk
X = Contraindicated
N = Unknown
Levocetirizine can absorb into breast milk and harm the fetus. Do not use this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Levocetirizine Drug Interactions
What medicines may interact with levocetirizine?
Drug interactions can change how the drugs work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not include all drug interactions that can occur. Keep a list of the products you use (including prescription / nonprescription medicines and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's knowledge.
Cold or allergy medications, sedatives, narcotic pain medications, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, and medications for seizures, depression or anxiety can increase the drowsiness caused by levocetirizine.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and which you start or stop using while on levocetirizine treatment, in particular:
- Ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra)
- Theophylline (aquaphyllin, asmaliz, elixophylllin, theolair, theosol)
Can food or alcohol interact with levocetirizine?
Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.
What health conditions may interact with levocetirizine?
The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:
- an enlarged prostate
- lesions on the spine — use with caution. May increase the risk of urinary retention
- kidney disease - use with caution. The effect of levocetirizine may increase due to the slower disposal of the drug from the body
- severe kidney disease
- renal failure — should not be used in patients with this condition
- urinary retention (problems passing urine) - use with caution. Can make this condition worse.
Levocetirizine overdose
What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
