How Long Does Xyzal Take to Work? Plus, 5 More Xyzal FAQs
Key takeaways:
Xyzal (levocetirizine) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine that helps relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose. It works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that can cause these symptoms.
It doesn’t take Xyzal long to work. Most people notice relief within 1 hour, and a dose typically lasts for about 24 hours.
Xyzal can cause drowsiness, so it’s a good idea to take it in the evening. If you start taking Xyzal every day about 2 weeks before allergy season starts, you may be able to prevent allergy symptoms before they begin.
Xyzal is available OTC as a brand-name medication. But you can also find it as a lower-cost generic. If your prescriber writes you a prescription for Xyzal, GoodRx can help save you money.
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Table of contents
Millions of people across the U.S. experience seasonal allergies every year. And many of them take antihistamines when allergy season strikes. This group of medications can help treat and prevent allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, or itching. Xyzal (levocetirizine) is an example of an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine that starts relieving symptoms quickly.
But how long does Xyzal take to work? And how long does each dose last? We’ll discuss the answers to these and other frequently asked questions about Xyzal more below. That way, you can determine if it might be the best allergy medication for you.
1. How long does Xyzal take to work?
Xyzal doesn’t take too long to start working. Generally, people begin noticing allergy relief within 1 hour of taking it. This is also true if you’re taking Xyzal for hives. So it may be a good choice if you’re looking for fast allergy relief.
2. How long does Xyzal last?
One dose of Xyzal lasts for about 24 hours for most people. This is true for both adult and children's Xyzal. So you’ll likely only need to take it once a day. This makes Xyzal a convenient option for many people.
Good to know: If you have kidney problems, Xyzal may last longer than desired in your body. Depending on your kidney function, you may need to take a lower or less frequent dose. If you have a history of kidney problems, discuss the best Xyzal dosage for you with your medical care team.
3. How does Xyzal work?
Xyzal is an antihistamine. It works by blocking histamine. Histamine is a chemical your body naturally makes. And it often causes allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. So by blocking histamine, Xyzal helps lessen these symptoms.
4. When should you take Xyzal?
It’s recommended to take Xyzal once daily in the evening. This is because it can cause drowsiness for some people. While it’s less likely to cause drowsiness than older antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), it’s still possible. Taking Xyzal in the evening helps limit daytime drowsiness.
The time of year you take Xyzal can also make a difference. Many people find their allergy symptoms are worse at certain times of the year. Starting Xyzal about 2 weeks before your symptoms usually begin can help prevent them from happening.
Good to know: If you find drowsiness from Xyzal too bothersome, consider switching to an antihistamine that’s less likely to cause this side effect. Allegra (fexofenadine) and Claritin (loratadine) are two additional examples of non-drowsy antihistamines.
5. Can you take Xyzal during pregnancy?
Experts consider oral antihistamines to be safe to take during pregnancy. But some medications in the class have more safety data to support their use than others.
Xyzal is likely safe to take during pregnancy. But it hasn’t been as well studied as some other antihistamines, such as Zyrtec (cetirizine). Because of this, you should ask your prenatal care team about the best allergy medicine for you if you’re pregnant. They can help you determine if it’s OK to take Xyzal or if you should switch to a different medication.
6. Can you take Xyzal while nursing?
There aren’t many studies that analyze taking Xyzal or other antihistamines while nursing. But based on the evidence we do have, Xyzal doesn’t appear to harm nursing babies. And only small amounts of the medication pass into milk. This means very little reaches your baby.
Still, it’s a good idea to talk to your medical care team about whether you should take Xyzal while nursing.
How to save on Xyzal
There are ways to save on Xyzal, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having your prescriber write a prescription for Xyzal, GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price. Generic Xyzal's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $12.00 with a free GoodRx discount.
The bottom line
Xyzal (levocetirizine) is an over-the-counter antihistamine that helps relieve allergy symptoms. Xyzal usually starts working within 1 hour of taking it and lasts for about 24 hours. It works by blocking histamine, a substance in your body that can cause allergy symptoms.
Xyzal can cause drowsiness for some people. Consider taking your dose in the evening to help limit daytime drowsiness. Starting Xyzal about 2 weeks before allergy season starts can help prevent symptoms from happening.
Why trust our experts?
References
Chattem, Inc. (2024). Xyzal allergy 24hr [package insert].
MedlinePlus. (2017). Histamine: The stuff allergies are made of.
National Library of Medicine. (2024). Levocetirizine. Drugs and Lactation Database.
Nettis, E., et al. (2008). Once daily levocetirizine for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. Journal of Asthma and Allergy.
Ngo, E., et al. (2022). Antihistamine use during breastfeeding with focus on breast milk transfer and safety in humans: A systematic literature review. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology.
Shawky, R. M., et al. (2015). The relation between antihistamine medication during early pregnancy and birth defects. Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics.
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