LEVOCETIRIZINE
(LEE voe se TIR a zeen) Brand: Xyzal
What is the most significant information I must know about levocetirizine?
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to levocetirizine or cetirizine (Zyrtec).
• Do not take levocetirizine if you have end-stage kidney malady or if you are on dialysis. Any baby younger than 12 years old with kidney malady must not take levocetirizine.
• Till taking levocetirizine, speak your doctor if you have liver malady, kidney malady, or gallbladder problems.
• It is very significant not to give a baby more than the predesigned doze of this medicine. A child's body absorbs twice as many of the same doze size of levocetirizine as an adult's body.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever.
What is levocetirizine?
• Levocetirizine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can manufacture symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
• Levocetirizine is used to treat symptoms of year-round (perennial) allergies in adults and children who are at least 6 months old. It is also used to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies in adults and children who are at least 2 years 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 medicine guide.
What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking levocetirizine?
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to levocetirizine or cetirizine (Zyrtec).
• You must not take levocetirizine if you have end-stage kidney malady or if you are on dialysis. Any baby younger than 12 years old with kidney malady must not take levocetirizine.
• To create certain you can safely take levocetirizine, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:
· liver disease;
· kidney malady;
· enlarged prostate or urination problems; or
· gallbladder problems.
• FDA pregnancy category B. Levocetirizine is not expected to harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
• Levocetirizine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing child. You must not breast-feed while you are taking levocetirizine.
• Do not give this medicine to a baby younger than 6 months old.
How must I take levocetirizine?
• Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medication in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended.
• It is very significant not to give a baby more than the predesigned doze of this medicine. A child's body absorbs twice as many of the same doze size of levocetirizine as an adult's body.
• Taking more of this medicine will not create it more effective, and may reason severe drowsiness.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Measure liquid medication with a particular dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
• 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?
• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What must I avoid while taking levocetirizine?
• This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
• Drinking alcohol can magnify determined side effects of levocetirizine.
What are the possible side effects of levocetirizine?
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using levocetirizine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
· feeling like you might pass out;
· nosebleed (especially in a child);
· pain or fullness in your ear, hearing problems;
· depression, agitation, aggression, hallucinations;
· numbness or tingling near your lips or mouth;
· jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);
· painful or difficult urination;
· dark-colored urine, foul-smelling stools; or
· fever, stomach pain, loss of appetite.
• Another general side effects may include:
· drowsiness, weakness;
· weary feeling;
· stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, cough;
· 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 message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What another drugs will affect levocetirizine?
• Cool or allergy medication, sedatives, narcotic pain medication, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medication for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by levocetirizine.
• Speak your doctor about all medications you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with levocetirizine, especially:
· ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra); or
· theophylline (Aquaphyllin, Asmalix, Elixophyllin, Theolair, Theosol).
• This list is not complete. Another drugs may interact with levocetirizine, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medicine manual.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist can provide more information about levocetirizine.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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