Xyzal (Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Xyzal

Allergy Drugs: Prescription and OTC »

Allergy medications overview

The arsenal of allergy drugs includes dozens of medications that relieve allergy symptoms when confronted with a trigger known as an allergen. That trigger could be something from a plant, such as pollen, or something from an animal (pet dander, dust mites, cockroaches). Other allergy triggers include certain fragrances or chemical substances.

What causes a person's allergic reaction is highly individual. But the reactions are often universal: swelling and inflammation, especially around the eyes, nose, and throat, usually accompanied by itching.

Some allergy medications work against the effects of histamines, which are released during an allergic reaction. Other medications reduce swelling, affect the immune system, or affect release of other substances associated with allergic reactions.

Many allergy drugs are available without a prescription.

For what conditions are allergy medicatio...

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Xyzal Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Xyzal

Generic Name: levocetirizine (Pronunciation: LEE voe se TIR a zeen)

What is levocetirizine (Xyzal)?

Levocetirizine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce 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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of levocetirizine (Xyzal)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

feeling like you might pass out;
nosebleed (especially in a child);
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts;
numbness or tingling around your lips or mouth;
jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);
dark-colored urine, foul-smelling stools; or
fever, stomach pain, loss of appetite.

Less serious side effects may include:

drowsiness, weakness;
stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, cough;
tired feeling;
dry mouth; or
weight gain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about levocetirizine (Xyzal)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to levocetirizine or cetirizine (Zyrtec).

Do not take levocetirizine if you have end-stage kidney disease or if you are on dialysis. Any child under 12 with kidney disease should not take levocetirizine.

Before taking levocetirizine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney or liver disease, or gallbladder problems.

It is very important not to give a child more than the prescribed dose of this medication. A child's body absorbs twice as much of the same dose size of levocetirizine as an adult's body.

Levocetirizine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of levocetirizine.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by levocetirizine.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you also have a fever.

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