This article describes possible side effects of levocetirizine oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about levocetirizine, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Levocetirizine oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Levocetirizine also comes in an oral liquid that you’ll swallow, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.
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More common side effects of levocetirizine
Levocetirizine oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of levocetirizine oral tablet include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of levocetirizine in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of levocetirizine
Levocetirizine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of levocetirizine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of levocetirizine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with levocetirizine oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Levocetirizine oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of levocetirizine
Levocetirizine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from levocetirizine oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with levocetirizine.
Serious side effects of levocetirizine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of levocetirizine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with levocetirizine oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
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Side effects of levocetirizine in children
For children, doctors prescribe levocetirizine oral tablet to treat chronic hives with an unknown cause. The drug is used for this purpose in children ages 6 years and older.
In studies, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:
If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking levocetirizine oral tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Common questions about side effects of levocetirizine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of levocetirizine oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does levocetirizine cause long-term side effects?
Long-term side effects aren’t expected with levocetirizine oral tablet. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after the treatment ended also weren’t reported.
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects with levocetirizine.
Can levocetirizine cause kidney-related side effects?
No, kidney problems aren’t expected side effects of levocetirizine oral tablet. Kidney problems weren’t reported in studies of the drug.
However, people with kidney problems may have a higher risk of side effects from levocetirizine oral tablets. People with end-stage kidney disease or dialysis should not take it.
Levocetirizine oral tablet can also cause problems emptying your bladder. This isn’t a kidney problem, but it’s related to the urinary system. You can learn more about this side effect in the “Side effects of levocetirizine in detail” section below.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about kidney function and levocetirizine.
Are changes in blood pressure or anxiety side effects of levocetirizine?
It’s not likely. Changes in blood pressure and anxiety weren’t seen in studies of levocetirizine oral tablet. There have been reports of very low blood pressure in people using levocetirizine oral tablet, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if levocetirizine was the cause.
If you have questions about these side effects, talk with your doctor.
Side effects of levocetirizine in detail
Below, you’ll find details on some of the side effects of levocetirizine oral tablet.
Sleepiness
In studies, sleepiness was common in people taking levocetirizine oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild but may be serious in some cases.
Sleepiness was common with all doses of levocetirizine oral tablet. But people taking higher doses had more sleepiness. Sleepiness was also the most common reason for stopping the drug.
Sleepiness, along with fatigue and weakness, can cause problems with mental alertness. It can also make it hard to do things that require physical coordination, such as driving or operating machinery.
Ways to manage
Don’t drive or operate machinery until you know how levocetirizine oral tablet affects you. If your sleepiness becomes severe or bothersome, tell your doctor. They can suggest ways to manage it or recommend other treatments.
Problems emptying your bladder
Levocetirizine oral tablet may cause problems emptying your bladder. There have been reports of this side effect in people using levocetirizine. But it’s unclear how often this has happened or if levocetirizine was the cause.
Antihistamines, such as levocetirizine, are a known cause of these problems. It happens when they interfere with nerve signals to the bladder.
Symptoms may include:
- slow urine stream
- still feeling the need urinate right after you go
- urinating small amounts often
- being unable to empty your bladder completely
Certain factors may increase the risk of problems emptying your bladder with levocetirizine oral tablet. These include having a spinal cord injury or an enlarged prostate.
Ways to manage
If you experience problems emptying your bladder, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend stopping levocetirizine oral tablet.
For some people, levocetirizine oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to levocetirizine oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for levocetirizine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking levocetirizine oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take levocetirizine oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether levocetirizine oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking levocetirizine oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Levocetirizine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether levocetirizine oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Levocetirizine and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether levocetirizine oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Levocetirizine oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Drinking alcohol while taking levocetirizine oral tablet can increase side effects, such as sleepiness, fatigue, and weakness. This can worsen problems with mental alertness and coordination. Due to this risk, you should avoid alcohol during levocetirizine treatment.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how to avoid it during your treatment with levocetirizine oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of levocetirizine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my risk of side effects depend on the dosage I take?
- Is my risk of side effects higher when I first start the treatment?
- How do the side effects of levocetirizine oral tablet compare with other drugs that could treat my condition?
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.
