This article describes possible interactions with levocetirizine oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Levocetirizine comes as tablets and an oral solution that you’ll swallow.
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Other drugs and levocetirizine
The drugs in the list below may interact with levocetirizine oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with levocetirizine.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with levocetirizine oral tablet include:
- atypical antipsychotics:
- drug examples: aripiprazole (Abilify), ziprasidone (Geodon)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of levocetirizine and the atypical antipsychotic
- benzodiazepines:
- drug examples: alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of levocetirizine and the benzodiazepine
- COMT inhibitors:
- drug examples: tolcapone (Tasmar), entacapone (Comtan), and treatments that contain entacapone, such as carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of levocetirizine and the COMT inhibitor
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs):
- drug examples: phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of levocetirizine and the MAOI
- opioids:
- sedative/hypnotic drugs:
- drug examples: eszopiclone (Lunesta), zolpidem (Ambien)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of levocetirizine and the sedative/hypnotic drug
- ritonavir (Norvir):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of levocetirizine
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Get free cardWhen to avoid levocetirizine
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with levocetirizine oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe levocetirizine in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for levocetirizine oral tablet:
- End-stage kidney disease: If you have end-stage kidney disease, you’re at higher risk of side effects from levocetirizine oral tablet.
- Certain children with impaired kidney function: Children ages 6 months to 11 years who have impaired kidney function should not take levocetirizine. There’s an increased risk of side effects from the drug.
- Past allergic reaction to levocetirizine: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to levocetirizine oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before starting treatment with levocetirizine, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you or your child. They can recommend whether you or your child should take levocetirizine.
Alcohol and levocetirizine
Levocetirizine oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol. Your doctor will likely suggest you avoid consuming alcohol while you’re taking levocetirizine.
Taking levocetirizine oral tablet and drinking alcohol may cause:
- problems with balance, coordination, and decision making
- reduced mental alertness
If you have concerns about levocetirizine interactions with alcohol, talk with your doctor.
Other interactions and levocetirizine
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether levocetirizine oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with levocetirizine.
Levocetirizine and supplements
Before taking levocetirizine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
Melatonin supplements may interact with levocetirizine. Melatonin supplements are used to aid in sleep. Taking levocetirizine and melatonin may raise the risk of side effects from both, including drowsiness.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Levocetirizine interactions with herbs
Levocetirizine oral tablet may interact with an herb called valerian. Supplements containing valerian are typically taken to aid with sleep, but they’re also used for other conditions. Taking levocetirizine and valerian may increase the risk of side effects from both, including excessive drowsiness.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using valerian or any other herbs while taking levocetirizine oral tablet.
Levocetirizine interactions with vitamins
Levocetirizine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking levocetirizine oral tablet.
Levocetirizine and food
Levocetirizine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking levocetirizine oral tablet.
Levocetirizine and vaccines
Levocetirizine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking levocetirizine oral tablet.
Levocetirizine and lab tests
Levocetirizine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking levocetirizine oral tablet.
Levocetirizine and cannabis or CBD
Reports have shown cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products may interact with levocetirizine. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking levocetirizine and using cannabis or cannabis products may lead to side effects, including drowsiness. It can also cause problems with balance, coordination, or decision making.
Before you take levocetirizine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Telling your doctor may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and levocetirizine
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with levocetirizine oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking levocetirizine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether levocetirizine is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with levocetirizine oral tablet:
- enlarged prostate
- kidney condition, such as chronic kidney disease or a need for dialysis therapy
- liver condition, such as alcohol-related liver disease
- spinal cord lesion or injury
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to levocetirizine
Preventing levocetirizine interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with levocetirizine oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking levocetirizine oral tablet.
Taking levocetirizine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about levocetirizine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Do levocetirizine and cetirizine have similar interactions?
- Are there other antihistamines besides levocetirizine that could treat my condition and don’t interact with my medications or health history?
- Could I still take levocetirizine even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.