Generic name: levocetirizine [ LEE-voe-se-TIR-a-zeen ]
Brand names: All-GO
Dosage forms: oral solution, oral tablet
Drug class: Antihistamines
What is levocetirizine?
Levocetirizine is an antihistamine that may be used to reduce allergy symptoms such as red, itchy, or watery eyes; a runny nose; sneezing; rashes; or reactions to insect bites or stings.
Levocetirizine works by reducing the effects of a natural chemical in the body called histamine. Histamine can produce symptoms such as a runny nose or hives.
Levocetirizine is used to treat symptoms of year-round (also called perennial) allergies in adults and children who are at least 6 months old.
Levocetirizine is also used to treat itching and swelling caused by chronic (long-lasting) urticaria (hives) in adults and children who are at least 6 months old.
Levocetirizine was FDA approved in 2007.
Warnings
Follow all the directions on your levocetirizine label and package. Tell all your healthcare providers that you take levocetirizine.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use levocetirizine if you are allergic to levocetirizine or cetirizine (Zyrtec).
You should not take levocetirizine if you have end-stage kidney disease or if you are on dialysis. Any child younger than 12 years old with kidney disease should not take levocetirizine.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
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- kidney disease;
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- liver disease;
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- urination problems (caused by conditions such as enlarged prostate or spinal cord lesion); or
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- gallbladder problems.
Levocetirizine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intending to become pregnant.
You should not breast-feed while taking levocetirizine.
Levocetirizine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 months old.
Levocetirizine pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)
How should I take levocetirizine?
Take levocetirizine exactly as directed on the label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets about levocetirizine.
A child’s dose of levocetirizine is based on the age of the child. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.
Do not give a child more than the prescribed dose of levocetirizine. A child’s body absorbs twice as much of the same dose of levocetirizine as an adult’s body.
Taking more levocetirizine than instructed will not make it more effective, and may cause severe drowsiness.
Levocetirizine is usually taken in the evening, with or without food.
Measure liquid levocetirizine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever.
Store levocetirizine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of levocetirizine, take the missed dose as soon as you can. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking levocetirizine?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how levocetirizine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Drinking alcohol with levocetirizine can cause side effects such as drowsiness.
Levocetirizine side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to levocetirizine: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Levocetirizine may cause serious side effects. Stop using levocetirizine and call your doctor at once if you have:
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- worsening allergy or urticaria symptoms;
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- painful or difficult urination;
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- little or no urination;
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- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
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- fever; or
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- signs of an ear infection–ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage from the ear, fussiness in a child.
Common side effects of levocetirizine may include:
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- drowsiness, tiredness;
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- sinus pain;
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- ear infection;
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- cough;
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- fever;
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- nosebleed;
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- dry mouth; or
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- weight gain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Levocetirizine side effects (more detail)
Levocetirizine dosing information
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
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- For hay fever:
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- For oral dosage form (Children’s Xyzal® Allergy 24HR solution):
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- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 or 10 milliliters (mL) once a day taken in the evening. Do not take more than 10 mL in 24 hours.
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- Children 6 to 11 years of age—5 mL once a day taken in the evening. Do not take more than 5 mL in 24 hours.
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- Children 2 to 5 years of age—2.5 mL once a day taken in the evening. Do not take more than 2.5 mL in 24 hours.
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- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
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- For oral dosage form (Children’s Xyzal® Allergy 24HR solution):
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- For oral dosage form (levocetirizine dihydrochloride solution):
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- Adults and children older than 2 years of age—5 milligrams (mg) or 10 milliliters (mL) (1 teaspoon) once a day taken in the evening.
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- Children 6 months to 2 years of age—At first, 1.25 mg or 2.5 mL (1/2 teaspoon) once a day taken in the evening. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
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- Children younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
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- For oral dosage form (levocetirizine dihydrochloride solution):
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- For oral dosage form (tablets):
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- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 milligrams (mg) (1 tablet) once a day taken in the evening. Some patients may be given 2.5 mg (1/2 tablet) once a day taken in the evening. Do not take more than 5 mg per day.
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- Children 6 to 11 years of age—2.5 mg (1/2 tablet) once a day taken in the evening. Do not take more than 2.5 mg per day.
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- Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
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- For oral dosage form (tablets):
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- For hay fever:
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- For hives:
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- For oral dosage form (levocetirizine dihydrochloride solution):
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- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 milligrams (mg) or 10 milliliters (mL) (2 teaspoons) once a day taken in the evening. Some patients may be given 2.5 mg or 5 mL (1 teaspoon) once a day taken in the evening.
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- Children 6 to 11 years of age—2.5 mg or 5 mL (1 teaspoon) once a day taken in the evening. Do not take more than 2.5 mg per day.
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- Children 6 months to 5 years of age—At first, 1.25 mg or 2.5 mL (1/2 teaspoon) once a day taken in the evening. Do not take more than 1.25 mg per day.
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- Children younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
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- For oral dosage form (levocetirizine dihydrochloride solution):
-
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
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- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 milligrams (mg) (1 tablet) once a day taken in the evening. Some patients may be given 2.5 mg (1/2 tablet) once a day taken in the evening. Do not take more than 5 mg per day.
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- Children 6 to 11 years of age—2.5 mg (1/2 tablet) once a day taken in the evening. Do not take more than 2.5 mg per day.
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- Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
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- For oral dosage form (tablets):
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- For hives:
What other drugs will affect levocetirizine?
Using levocetirizine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
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- ritonavir; or
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect levocetirizine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
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