Xyzal

Xyzal is used to treat allergic symptoms and chronic hives of skin. It is an antihistamine and works by blocking histamine. Histamine is a substance which plays a key role in allergy.

Allergic symptoms caused by histamine are itching, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes. In some people, it can make breathing very difficult as it narrows air passages of lungs.

In some people, histamine can also cause hives, an allergic skin reaction with localized redness, swelling and severe itching.

If you are about to start Xyzal, speak with your doctor about what you need to know.

Before starting, your doctor should be informed about following conditions:

Allergy: Inform your doctor if you have any allergies to food, preservatives, dyes and animals or had any previous allergic reaction while using this drug before.

Children: It can be safely used in children above 6 months of age. It shouldn’t be used in children (6 months to 11 years) with kidney disease.

Elderly: Doses should be adjusted in the elderly patient as they may have other problems like kidney, heart, liver disease, which may require caution.

Pregnancy: It is a category B drug. It has no harmful effects on mother or fetus.

Breastfeeding: Levocitirizine is found in breast milk. Avoid breast-feeding while using this drug.

Drug Interactions: Levocetirizine may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking so that he may adjust the dosage or change the drug.

Especially if you are using any of the following, Ritanovir and theophylline, as they both can increase the risk of levocetirizine side effects.
Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as:

• Trouble urinating (enlarged prostate, spinal cord lesion)
• Kidney diseases
• Kidney failure

Proper usage of Xyzal requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. You can take it with or without food. It’s better to take it in the evening unless your doctor directed otherwise.

Oral solution should be measured by measuring cup, a syringe.

Dosage: It is different for different patients. Dosage mentioned below is an average dose. You must follow your doctor’s command.

For hay fever and hives:

• Children 6 months to 5 years of age: 1.25mg or 2.5ml once a day in the evening.
• Children 6 years to 11years of age: 2.5mg (half tablet) or 5 ml once a day in the evening.
• Children above 12 years and adults: 5mg or 10ml once a day in the evening.

Missed dose: if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it’s almost a time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your daily schedule. Do not double the dose.

In using Xyzal, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. Xyzal may cause drowsiness, tiredness or weakness.

These effects may get elevated if you use it with alcohol and other CNS depressants (sleep aids, muscle relaxer, painkillers or narcotics).

While using Xyzal for the first time, do not perform tasks which require alertness like driving, until you don’t know how you react to the drug.

Elderly patients should use it with caution, they may be more sensitive to its effects.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Xyzal to avoid unwanted potential side effects. All medicines have some side effects. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.

Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent:

More common side effects are:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Nose or throat irritation
• Tiredness, weakness
• Seek medical attention immediately if some severe side effects occur.
• Severe allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing)
• Swelling of mouth, face, and lips
• Burning or painful urination
• Nosebleed
• Seizures
• Persistent dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Yellowing of skin or eyes

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.