LEVOCETIRIZINE

Overview:

Levocetirizine is used in the treatment of allergic eye disease, nasal allergy symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose due to allergies.

How it works:

It alleviates allergy symptoms for example itching, swelling, and rashes by blocking the effects of a chemical messenger (histamine) in the body. Levocetirizine is an H1-receptor antagonist

Classification:

Antihistamine

Uses:

Levocetirizine is an antihistamine that may be used to reduce allergy symptoms such as red, itchy, or watery eyes; a runny nose; sneezing; rashes; itching; or reactions to insect bites or stings.Levocetirizine treats adults and children aged 6 months and older who have:

seasonal or year-round (also called perennial) allergies

chronic (long-lasting) urticaria (hives).

How It Works:

Levocetirizine works by blocking the release of a chemical called histamine from the cells in your body. This helps relieve symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, runny nose, and red, watery, itchy eyes. This drug also helps relieve itching caused by hives.

Dosage:

As prescribed by your doctor.

Side Effects:

Allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

rash

itching

hives

swelling of your lips, tongue, face, or throat

Kidney problems. Symptoms can include:

trouble urinating

changes in the amount you urinate

blood in your urine

Blurry vision.

Precautions:

For pregnant people: This drug is a category B pregnancy drug. That means two things:

Research in animals has not shown a risk to the fetus when pregnant animals were given levocetirizine.

There aren’t enough studies done in humans to show whether the drug poses a risk to the fetus.

Animal studies do not always predict the way humans would respond. Therefore, this drug should only be used in pregnancy if clearly needed.

Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

People who are breastfeeding: This drug may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For older adults: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

For children: It isn’t known if this drug is safe or effective for children younger than 6 months of age.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical advice and proper dosage.