Drowsiness, Sore Throat, and More: 6 Xyzal Side Effects You Should Know About

Whether it’s allergy season or not, finding the right antihistamine for you can take some trial and error. Xyzal (levocetirizine) is a third-generation antihistamine. It can help relieve symptoms of allergies and chronic (long-term) hives. Xyzal works by blocking histamine, a naturally occurring chemical in the body. Histamine is one of the main causes of allergy symptoms, including itching, runny nose, and sneezing.

Xyzal is available both by prescription and over the counter (OTC). Although Xyzal is well tolerated, it can cause side effects for some people.

Xyzal side effects at a glance

Most Xyzal side effects are mild and able to be managed at home. But more serious side effects are possible, although rare.

Promotion disclosure

Xyzal (Levocetirizine)

Avg retail price

$77.99(Save 88.58%)

GoodRx discount

$8.91

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

Common or mild Xyzal side effects include:

• Drowsiness

• Fatigue

• Cold-like symptoms

• Dry mouth

• Sore throat

• Cough (more common in children ages 6 to 12)

• Nosebleeds (more common in children ages 6 to 12)

• Diarrhea or vomiting (more common in children ages 1 to 5)

Rare but serious Xyzal side effects include:

• Severe drowsiness

• Severe itching after stopping Xyzal

• Trouble urinating

• Liver damage

• Mood or behavior changes (more common in children)

Let’s discuss six Xyzal side effects and how to manage them.

1. Drowsiness

Drowsiness is a common Xyzal side effect. It’s more likely to cause drowsiness compared to some other antihistamines, such as Claritin (loratadine) and Allegra (fexofenadine). But it’s less likely to make you sleepy than Zyrtec (cetirizine) and older antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine).

Alcohol and other medications that cause drowsiness can worsen this side effect. So it’s recommended to avoid combining them with Xyzal if possible.

It’s best to take Xyzal in the evening. This can help limit daytime drowsiness. Certain lifestyle changes may also help give you an energy boost to fight drowsiness. Good tips include keeping a consistent sleep schedule, exercising regularly, and eating a nutritious diet.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How long does it take Xyzal to work? Read a pharmacist’s answers to this, as well as more Xyzal (levocetirizine) FAQs.

• Comparing options: Learn about the differences between the types of allergy medications so you can choose the right one for you.

• The best non-drowsy antihistamines: Learn which allergy medications are less likely to make you sleepy.

Because the medication can make you drowsy, it’s important to be aware of how it works in your body before driving or doing other things that require your full attention. You may find that this Xyzal side effect lessens as your body adjusts to the medication. But if the feeling of drowsiness doesn’t go away or interferes with your daily routine, talk to a healthcare professional to see what other options may work for you.

2. Fatigue

Fatigue with Xyzal may go hand in hand with drowsiness, but it’s not quite the same thing. Fatigue can be described as a lack of energy.

Similar to managing drowsiness, taking Xyzal in the evening may help limit fatigue during the day. Getting enough rest, exercising regularly, and eating a nutritious diet may also help with your energy levels. Let your healthcare team know if this Xyzal side effect becomes problematic.

3. Cold-like symptoms

Xyzal can also cause cold-like symptoms. This could include a runny or stuffy nose and a sore throat. But keep in mind that these are also possible allergy symptoms. So these may not be caused by Xyzal.

Staying hydrated and getting enough rest can help you manage this Xyzal side effect. For occasional sore throat relief, ask your prescriber or pharmacist if OTC pain relievers like Advil (ibuprofen) are safe for you. Nasal decongestants, such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), might be an option for short-term stuffy nose relief.

Taking medications to treat these Xyzal side effects should only be done on an occasional basis. They’re not meant for everyday relief. Cold-like symptoms should go away with time and continued use of Xyzal. If they don’t, talk to your healthcare team. There could be another cause (like an infection) for these symptoms.

4. Dry mouth

Like all antihistamines, Xyzal can cause dry mouth. But it’s a relatively uncommon side effect.

Dry mouth is due to the anticholinergic effects of Xyzal. Medications with anticholinergic effects can lower the amount of saliva you make. This can lead to dry mouth. Chronic dry mouth can lead to dental problems, like cavities, trouble swallowing, and mouth infections. So it’s important to treat it as soon as you notice it.

Here’s a few ways you can manage dry mouth:

• Chew on sugar-free gum.

• Drink cold liquids or suck on ice chips.

• Follow a good oral hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day.

• Try saliva substitute products, such as Biotene.

Dry mouth can be uncomfortable. But the above tips usually help relieve it for many people. Talk to a healthcare professional if it becomes persistent or bothersome. They may ask you to stop Xyzal or recommend trying another antihistamine.

5. Severe itching after stopping Xyzal

In rare cases, people have reported experiencing severe itching when they stop taking Xyzal. This is more likely to happen if you take it daily for a long period of time (months to years).

Only take the lowest Xyzal dose needed to manage your symptoms for the shortest time possible. This helps lower your risk of this severe side effect. If you need to take Xyzal for long periods of time, talk to your primary care provider about whether it’s the best option for you. They may suggest a different allergy or chronic hives treatment.

If you experience itching after you stop taking Xyzal, try to avoid scratching. Scratching can lead to bleeding or skin infections.

You should also contact a healthcare professional if this side effect happens. They may provide you instructions to slowly lower (taper) your dose over several weeks. If this doesn’t help, your healthcare team may suggest other treatments to reduce itching until your body adjusts to being without Xyzal.

6. Trouble urinating

There are reports of Xyzal rarely causing trouble urinating (urinary retention). It may also worsen existing urinary retention. This more serious Xyzal side effect can feel like you have difficulty starting or stopping urination. It can also feel like you’re unable to completely empty your bladder.

Urinary retention is thought to be due to Xyzal’s anticholinergic effects. But over time, it can lead to complications, such as urinary tract infections. If you’re having trouble urinating while taking Xyzal, stop taking it. Discuss other allergy medications with your healthcare team.

What raises the risk of Xyzal side effects?

Xyzal is primarily removed from the body by the kidneys. So if the kidneys aren’t working as expected, it could cause Xyzal to build up in the body. This may raise the risk for the side effects discussed above.

Talk to a healthcare professional about Xyzal if you have kidney problems. You may need a lower dose or a different allergy medication altogether.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Dima Cheetany, PharmD

Dima Cheetany is a clinical pharmacist, clinical instructor, and academic detailer at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy from Roosevelt University College of Pharmacy in 2016.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts