Levocetirizine

Introduction

Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on July 28, 2023

Levocetirizine (LEE vo se TI ra zeen) is a generic medication prescribed for allergies and hives. Levocetirizine belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines.

Side effects of levocetirizine

Levocetirizine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of levocetirizine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about levocetirizine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for levocetirizine listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of levocetirizine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about levocetirizine’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for levocetirizine listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of levocetirizine oral tablet and oral liquid solution include:

• sleepiness or tiredness
• dry mouth
• fever
• diarrhea
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for levocetirizine” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of levocetirizine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about levocetirizine’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for levocetirizine listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Levocetirizine’s serious side effects include:

• urinary retention (difficulty emptying your bladder)
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for levocetirizine” section.

Uses of levocetirizine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as levocetirizine for certain conditions. Approved uses for levocetirizine are described below.

Use for allergies and hives

Doctors may prescribe levocetirizine for treating allergies and hives. Levocetirizine oral tablet is used for this purpose in adults and children ages 6 years and older. Levocetirizine oral liquid solution is used for this purpose in adults and children ages 6 months and older. The drug may be prescribed as a long-term or short-term treatment.

Allergies that levocetirizine treats include:

• year-round allergies, such as allergies to pet dander or dust mites
• seasonal allergies, such as hay fever

With these allergies, you may have symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Levocetirizine helps relieve these symptoms.

With hives, you have patches of red, discolored, swollen, and itchy skin. Levocetirizine also helps ease these symptoms.

Common questions about levocetirizine

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about levocetirizine.

How does levocetirizine compare with cetirizine?

Levocetirizine and cetirizine are very similar medications. They’re both antihistamines used to treat allergies and hives. Both come as an oral tablet and an oral liquid solution. Cetirizine also comes as a chewable tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, and oral capsule. (Orally disintegrating tablets dissolve when placed on the tongue.)

Levocetirizine and cetirizine are both considered to be nonsedating antihistamines. (Nonsedating drugs aren’t meant to make you fall asleep.) But they can both cause drowsiness in some people. Levocetirizine is less likely to cause drowsiness than cetirizine.

To learn more about how these medications compare, talk with your doctor. They can recommend whether one is a better medication for you.

Is levocetirizine available over the counter?

Yes, you can buy levocetirizine oral tablet and oral liquid solution over the counter (OTC) for treating seasonal allergies, such as hay fever. The tablet can be used for adults and children ages 6 years and older. The oral liquid solution can be used for adults and children ages 2 years and older.

It’s important to note that OTC levocetirizine should not be used for year-round allergies or hives. And it should not be given to children under 2 years old, unless it’s recommended by a doctor.

If you have questions about OTC forms of levocetirizine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does levocetirizine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Levocetirizine is an antihistamine that’s used to relieve the symptoms of allergies and hives.

With allergies, you may have itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. With hives, you have patches of red, discolored, swollen, and itchy skin. These symptoms are caused by a substance called histamine that’s released in your body during an allergic reaction. Levocetirizine works by blocking the action of histamine. This helps relieve your symptoms.

Levocetirizine usually starts working about 30 minutes to 1 hour after taking a dose. The oral liquid solution starts working faster than the tablet.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions and warnings for levocetirizine

Below, you’ll find information about levocetirizine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of levocetirizine

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take levocetirizine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for levocetirizine” section below.

Warnings for levocetirizine

Some people should not take levocetirizine and others should take it cautiously.

Levocetirizine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether levocetirizine is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of levocetirizine you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for levocetirizine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Levocetirizine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to levocetirizine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe levocetirizine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to levocetirizine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of levocetirizine

You should not take more levocetirizine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much levocetirizine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and levocetirizine

Information about levocetirizine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Levocetirizine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether levocetirizine 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 should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know whether you have questions about levocetirizine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Is it safe to take levocetirizine for long periods of time?
• Will levocetirizine get less effective if I take it for a long time?
• Can I take levocetirizine to treat an insect bite reaction?

Resources

• Levocetirizine dihydrochloride – drug summary. (n.d.). https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Xyzal-levocetirizine-dihydrochloride-529
• Levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablets, for oral use. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/1b593c65-2866-45d9-9c94-ac181f4cbc51/spl-doc
• Levocetirizine dihydrochloride oral solution. (2020).
• https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/628c26f0-f6bb-4658-ba50-8ca04cd859cb/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.