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levocetirizine
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Hives
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Hives
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) is an antihistamine. It's used to relieve allergy symptoms and chronic hives in adults and children. Levocetirizine (Xyzal) is available both over the counter and by prescription. The medication comes as a tablet and a liquid. It's taken by mouth once a day at night, though your specific dosage depends on your age. Some side effects include drowsiness and cold-like symptoms.
What is Levocetirizine (Xyzal)?
What is Levocetirizine (Xyzal) used for?
- Relief of allergy symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, itchy nose or throat) - OTC and prescription
- Treatment of itching from chronic hives - prescription only
How Levocetirizine (Xyzal) works
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) is an antihistamine. It works by blocking histamine. Histamine is a natural chemical in your body that causes allergy symptoms like itchiness, itchy eyes, and runny nose. By blocking histamine, this medication helps relieve allergy symptoms.
When does Levocetirizine (Xyzal) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Xyzal Allergy 24HR |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antihistamine |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription or over-the-counter |
More on Levocetirizine (Xyzal) essentials
Side effects of Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
People 12 years and older:
- Sleepiness (5-6%)
- Cold-like symptoms (4-6%)
- Fatigue (up to 4%)
Children under 12 years old:
- Fever (4%)
Less Common Side Effects
People 12 years and older:
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
Children under 12 years old:
- Cough
- Sleepiness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nosebleed
- Ear infection
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Accidentally taking too much medication: drowsiness, flushing, fast heartbeat, trouble urinating, constipation, poor balance, changes in vision, hallucinations, irritability in children
When do Levocetirizine (Xyzal) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Sleepiness
Fatigue
More on Levocetirizine (Xyzal) side effects
The following Levocetirizine (Xyzal) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
attack, assault, or force
bloody, cloudy, or dark urine
blurred or loss of vision
burning feeling while urinating
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
chills
clay-colored stools
confusion
decrease in the frequency of urination
decrease in urine volume
deep or fast breathing with dizziness
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
difficulty with swallowing or speaking
discouragement
disturbed color perception
dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
double vision
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
feeling sad or empty
fixed position of the eye
general tiredness and weakness
halos around lights
headache
hives or welts, itching, skin rash
inability to move the eyes
increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
irritability
joint or muscle pain
lack of appetite
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
light-colored stools
loss of balance control
loss of interest or pleasure
muscle trembling, twitching, jerking, or stiffness
nervousness
night blindness
numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
overbright appearance of lights
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness of the skin
restlessness
rhythmic movement of the muscles
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
seizures
sensation of spinning
shaking
shuffling walk
sticking out of the tongue
stomach pain
swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs
thoughts of killing oneself
tightness in the chest
trouble concentrating
trouble with sleeping
tunnel vision
twisting movements of the body
uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, mouth, tongue, neck, and back
uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
unpleasant breath odor
unusual facial expressions
unusual tiredness or weakness
upper right stomach pain
vomiting with or without blood
yellow eyes and skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Body aches or pain
dryness of the throat
hoarseness
redness or swelling in the ear
tender, swollen glands in the neck
voice changes
Less common
Change in or loss of taste
difficulty in moving
increased appetite
joint pain or swelling
muscle pain, cramp, or stiffness
nightmares
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$60.31
GoodRx discount
$11.01
Pros and cons of Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Pros
- First-choice option for relieving allergy symptoms
- Taken by mouth once a day
- Available as tablets and a liquid
Cons
- Might make you sleepier than some other antihistamines
- Can cause severe itching after stopping long-term use
- Might not be the best option for people with kidney problems
Pharmacist tips for Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
- You can take levocetirizine (Xyzal) once a day when you have allergy symptoms once in a while. If you have symptoms every day, taking it regularly as directed might give you better relief. Follow the package directions or your prescriber's instructions. If you're not sure, ask a healthcare professional or pharmacist.
- You can take levocetirizine (Xyzal) with or without food.
- Levocetirizine (Xyzal) might make you feel sleepy. Don't drive or do anything that requires you to be alert until you know how the medication affects you.
- It's best to avoid or limit alcohol while taking levocetirizine (Xyzal). Alcohol can raise your risk of sleepiness. Ask a healthcare professional if you're not sure whether it's safe for you to drink.
- If levocetirizine (Xyzal) isn't working well enough, talk to a healthcare professional. Depending on your symptoms, they might recommend another type of allergy treatment. This can include a steroid nasal spray or decongestant. Ask which option is safe for you.
- Check with a healthcare professional or pharmacist before taking other medications with levocetirizine (Xyzal). This is very important for other antihistamines. Taking more than one antihistamine at the same time can raise your risk of side effects.
- It's rare, but you might have new itchiness after a few days of stopping levocetirizine (Xyzal). This is more likely if you've taken the medication for several months or longer. If this happens, talk to a healthcare professional. They can tell you if you should restart levocetirizine (Xyzal) and slowly lower your dose.
- If you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant: Talk to a healthcare professional before taking levocetirizine (Xyzal). Health experts consider most antihistamines safe to take while pregnant. But it's still a good idea to check if it's right for your allergy symptoms.
- If you're breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed: Talk to a healthcare professional before taking levocetirizine (Xyzal). It's generally considered safe while breastfeeding. The medication can pass into breast milk, but it's less likely to make your baby sleepy. Check with your care team if you're concerned.
For over-the-counter levocetirizine (Xyzal):
- Don't use over-the-counter levocetirizine (Xyzal) on your own to treat itching from chronic hives. See a healthcare professional first. They can check your symptoms and recommend the right treatment.
- If you have kidney problems, talk to a healthcare professional before taking levocetirizine (Xyzal). Kidney problems can raise your risk of side effects. The healthcare professional can make sure levocetirizine (Xyzal) is safe for you.
- Stop taking levocetirizine (Xyzal) and contact a healthcare professional if you have trouble urinating or emptying your bladder. This medication can sometimes cause or worsen this problem.
For levocetirizine (Xyzal) 2.5 mg/5 mL liquid solution:
- Make sure you know how much levocetirizine (Xyzal) liquid to take or give. The dose can be different depending on age, especially for children. The over-the-counter and prescription versions also have different dosing instructions. Ask a healthcare professional or pharmacist if you're not sure how much to use.
- Use a medication dosing cup or oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid. Don't use a household spoon because you could measure the wrong amount. Ask your pharmacist for a dosing tool if you don't have one.
- Store levocetirizine (Xyzal) liquid at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF.
Risks and warnings for Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Sleepiness
- Risk factors: Drinking alcohol while taking levocetirizine (Xyzal) | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) can make you sleepy, tired, or weak. This can sometimes affect how well you can think, focus, or react quickly. You're more likely to have these side effects if you drink alcohol while taking levocetirizine (Xyzal). It can also happen if you take it with other medications that make you tired, like certain anxiety medications and sleep medications). Don't drive or use machinery until you know how levocetirizine (Xyzal) affects you.
Trouble urinating
- Risk factors: Conditions that cause trouble urinating
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) can sometimes make it hard to urinate. Your risk might be higher if you have a condition that already makes it hard to urinate, like an enlarged prostate. Tell your prescriber right away if you have trouble urinating or can't urinate while taking levocetirizine (Xyzal). You might need to stop taking this medication.
Itching after stopping levocetirizine (Xyzal)
- Risk factors: Taking levocetirizine (Xyzal) for months to years | Suddenly stopping the medication
Although it's not common, new itching can happen after stopping levocetirizine (Xyzal). This has been reported in people who took the medication regularly for several months or years. The itching can start within a few days after stopping levocetirizine (Xyzal). In some cases, it can be severe and be all over the body.
Tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you develop new itchiness after stopping levocetirizine (Xyzal). Your care team can help manage your symptoms. This might include restarting levocetirizine (Xyzal) and slowly lowering the dose.
Accidentally taking too much medication
Taking too much levocetirizine (Xyzal) can cause an antihistamine overdose. This can also happen if you use more than one product containing an antihistamine, including those used on the skin, at the same time. Signs can include drowsiness, a racing heart, trouble urinating, constipation, or poor balance. More serious side effects can include seizures, hallucinations, or even death.
Be sure to check medication labels before using other products with levocetirizine (Xyzal). Antihistamines can be found in many other over-the-counter and prescription medications. If you're not sure whether something has an antihistamine in it, ask a pharmacist.
Get medical help right away if you think someone has taken too much medication. You can also call a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
More on Levocetirizine (Xyzal) warnings
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 5mg of Levocetirizine (Xyzal) is $11.01 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 81.74% off the average retail price of $60.31.
Typical dosage for Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
The dose can vary depending on the levocetirizine (Xyzal) product you're using. Follow the directions on the package or your prescriber's instructions.
-
Over-the-counter tablets or prescription tablets
- Ages 65 years and older: Ask a healthcare professional.
- Ages 12 to 64 years: The typical dose is 2.5 mg or 5 mg by mouth once a day in the evening. The dose depends on how severe your allergy symptoms are. The maximum dose is 5 mg in a 24-hour period.
- Ages 6 to 11 years: The typical dose is 2.5 mg by mouth once a day in the evening. The maximum dose is 2.5 mg in a 24-hour period.
- Ages younger than 6 years: Don't use. Ask a healthcare professional.
-
Over-the-counter liquid (2.5 mg/5 mL)
- Ages 65 years and older: Ask a healthcare professional.
- Ages 12 to 64 years: The typical dose is 5 mL or 10 mL by mouth once a day in the evening. The dose depends on how severe your symptoms are. The maximum dose is 10 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Ages 6 to 11 years: The typical dose is 5 mL by mouth once a day in the evening. The maximum dose is 5 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Ages 2 to 5 years: The typical dose is 2.5 mL by mouth once a day in the evening. The maximum dose is 2.5 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Ages younger than 2 years: Don't use. Ask a healthcare professional.
-
Prescription liquid (2.5 mg/5 mL)
- Allergy symptoms
- Ages 2 years and older: Ask your prescriber.
- Age 6 months to 2 years: The typical dose is 2.5 mL by mouth once a day in the evening. The maximum dose is 2.5 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Chronic hives
- Ages 12 years and older: The typical dose is 5 mL or 10 mL by mouth once a day in the evening. The dose depends on how severe your symptoms are. The maximum dose is 10 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Ages 6 to 11 years: The typical dose is 5 mL by mouth once a day in the evening. The maximum dose is 5 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Ages 6 months to 5 years: The typical dose is 2.5 mL by mouth once a day in the evening. The maximum dose is 2.5 mL in a 24-hour period.
- Allergy symptoms
If you have kidney problems: Talk to a healthcare professional before taking levocetirizine (Xyzal). You might need a lower dose or a different medication.
More on Levocetirizine (Xyzal) dosage
Interactions between Levocetirizine (Xyzal) and other drugs
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Levocetirizine (Xyzal). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acepromazine
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Amobarbital
- Anileridine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Asenapine
- Baclofen
- Benperidol
- Benzhydrocodone
- Bromazepam
- Buprenorphine
- Buspirone
- Butabarbital
- Butorphanol
- Calcium Oxybate
- Cannabidiol
- Carbinoxamine
- Carisoprodol
- Carphenazine
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Chlorpromazine
- Chlorzoxazone
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Clorazepate
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dexmedetomidine
- Diacetylmorphine
- Diazepam
- Dichloralphenazone
- Difenoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Diphenhydramine
- Diphenoxylate
- Doxylamine
- Droperidol
- Enflurane
- Esketamine
- Estazolam
- Eszopiclone
- Ethchlorvynol
- Ethopropazine
- Ethylmorphine
- Fentanyl
- Flibanserin
- Flunitrazepam
- Fluphenazine
- Flurazepam
- Fluspirilene
- Fospropofol
- Gabapentin
- Gabapentin Enacarbil
- Halazepam
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Hexobarbital
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroxyzine
- Isoflurane
- Ketamine
- Ketazolam
- Ketobemidone
- Levorphanol
- Lorazepam
- Loxapine
- Magnesium Oxybate
- Meclizine
- Melperone
- Meperidine
- Mephobarbital
- Meprobamate
- Meptazinol
- Mesoridazine
- Metaxalone
- Methadone
- Methdilazine
- Methocarbamol
- Methohexital
- Methotrimeprazine
- Methylene Blue
- Midazolam
- Molindone
- Moricizine
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nalbuphine
- Nicomorphine
- Nitrazepam
- Nitrous Oxide
- Olanzapine
- Opium
- Opium Alkaloids
- Orphenadrine
- Oxazepam
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Papaveretum
- Paregoric
- Pentazocine
- Pentobarbital
- Perampanel
- Perazine
- Periciazine
- Perphenazine
- Phenobarbital
- Pimozide
- Piperacetazine
- Pipotiazine
- Piritramide
- Pitolisant
- Potassium Oxybate
- Prazepam
- Primidone
- Prochlorperazine
- Promazine
- Promethazine
- Propofol
- Quazepam
- Quetiapine
- Ramelteon
- Remifentanil
- Remimazolam
- Remoxipride
- Secobarbital
- Sertindole
- Sodium Oxybate
- Sufentanil
- Sulpiride
- Suvorexant
- Tapentadol
- Temazepam
- Thiethylperazine
- Thiopental
- Thiopropazate
- Thioridazine
- Tilidine
- Tizanidine
- Tolonium Chloride
- Topiramate
- Tramadol
- Triazolam
- Trifluoperazine
- Trifluperidol
- Triflupromazine
- Trimeprazine
- Zaleplon
- Zolpidem
- Zopiclone
- Zotepine
How much does Levocetirizine (Xyzal) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) (generic)
$11.01
Levocetirizine (Xyzal) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Levocetirizine (Xyzal) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Children age 6 months to 11 years with kidney problems
- Severe kidney problems
- On dialysis
What are alternatives to Levocetirizine (Xyzal)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Levocetirizine (Xyzal). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
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5 Things to Know About Xyzal vs. Zyrtec and Other OTC Allergy Medications
Does Xyzal or Zyrtez work better for allergies? The two drugs are quite similar. But one might agree with you more than the other. Explore the differences between Xyzal and Zyrtec and learn how they stack up against other allergy medicines.
Drowsiness, Sore Throat, and More: 6 Xyzal Side Effects You Should Know About
Side effects of Xyzal (levocetirizine) can include fatigue, drowsiness, and sore throat. Review other common Xyzal side effects and learn when they may be serious.
FDA Warns of Potential Itching After Stopping Zyrtec and Xyzal: Here’s How to Avoid It
The FDA has issued a new warning about severe itching after stopping certain antihistamines. Here’s what you need to know, including how to stop taking Zyrtec without developing an itch.
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Levocetirizine (Xyzal) images
