levocetirizine dihydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Second-generation piperazine antihistamine.
Licensed uses
Symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinitis and urticaria.
Food
May be taken with or without food. Food can delay absorption without reducing the amount absorbed.
Alertness
Drowsiness and fatigue can occur. Check how it affects you before driving or using machinery.
What is levocetirizine dihydrochloride used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for symptomatic treatment of:
Allergic rhinitis, including persistent allergic rhinitis.
Urticaria, including itchy raised wheals or hives.
How does levocetirizine dihydrochloride work?
Levocetirizine is cetirizine’s active R-enantiomer. It selectively blocks peripheral histamine H1 receptors, reducing histamine-driven itching, wheals and nasal or eye symptoms.
levocetirizine dihydrochloride preparations and strengths
Dispersible tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 0.5 mg/mL
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg
How to take levocetirizine dihydrochloride
Follow the product label and prescriber’s directions. Swallow film-coated tablets whole with liquid. Allow orodispersible tablets to dissolve on the tongue before swallowing, with or without water. Measure oral solution with the supplied syringe; if mixed with water, take it immediately. These forms may be taken with or without food.
Do not use a household spoon to measure oral solution.
Check the formulation’s ingredients if you have an intolerance to particular sugars or sweeteners.
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects your alertness.
levocetirizine dihydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dry mouth
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty
- Seizure
- Inability to pass urine
- Severe mood or behavioural changes, including suicidal thoughts
- Possible liver injury, such as jaundice with abnormal liver tests
levocetirizine dihydrochloride in pregnancy
Direct pregnancy evidence is limited. UK product information states that levocetirizine may be considered when necessary; experience with cetirizine has not identified a pregnancy safety signal. Discuss treatment with a pharmacist, midwife or prescriber.
levocetirizine dihydrochloride while breastfeeding
Levocetirizine is likely to enter breast milk, and direct evidence is limited. The prescriber should consider the clinical need. If used, observe the infant for unusual sleepiness, irritability, poor feeding or inadequate weight gain; extra caution is appropriate for premature or unwell infants.
levocetirizine dihydrochloride interactions
Few formal levocetirizine interaction studies are available. Relevant considerations include:
Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants
May add to drowsiness, reduced alertness and impaired performance in sensitive people.
Ritonavir
Cetirizine studies found increased antihistamine exposure, so additional adverse effects are possible.
Theophylline
Cetirizine studies found a small reduction in antihistamine clearance without materially changing theophylline’s disposition.
Common questions about levocetirizine dihydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is levocetirizine the same as cetirizine?
No. Levocetirizine is the active R-enantiomer contained within cetirizine, although both block peripheral histamine receptors and treat similar allergy symptoms.
Can levocetirizine make you sleepy?
Yes. It is less sedating than older antihistamines, but drowsiness and fatigue are recognised common effects.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.