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levocetirizine
levocetirizine
What is the most important information I should know about levocetirizine?
What is the most important information I should know about levocetirizine?
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
What is levocetirizine?
What is levocetirizine?
Levocetirizine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms such as a runny nose or hives.
Levocetirizine is used to treat symptoms of year-round (perennial) allergies in children who are at least 6 months old.
Levocetirizine is also used to treat itching and swelling caused by chronic urticaria (hives) in adults and children who are at least 6 months old.
Levocetirizine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levocetirizine?
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levocetirizine?
You should not use this medicine 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:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- urination problems (caused by conditions such as enlarged prostate or spinal cord lesion); or
- gallbladder problems.
Levocetirizine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Levocetirizine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 months old.
How should I take levocetirizine?
How should I take levocetirizine?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
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 this medicine. A child's body absorbs twice as much of the same dose size of levocetirizine as an adult's body.
Taking more of this medication will not make it more effective, and may cause severe drowsiness.
Levocetirizine is usually taken in the evening, with or without food.
Measure liquid medicine 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 at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but 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?
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?
What should I avoid while taking levocetirizine?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
What are the possible side effects of levocetirizine?
What are the possible side effects of levocetirizine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using levocetirizine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- worsening allergy or urticaria symptoms;
- painful or difficult urination;
- little or no urination;
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- fever; or
- signs of an ear infection --ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage from the ear, fussiness in a child.
Common side effects may include:
- drowsiness, tiredness;
- sinus pain;
- ear infection;
- cough;
- fever;
- nosebleed;
- vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
- dry mouth; or
- 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.
What other drugs will affect levocetirizine?
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:
- ritonavir; or
- theophylline.
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.
Where can I get more information?
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about levocetirizine.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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