About Levocet Tablet
Levocet Tablet contains Levocetirizine 5 mg. Levocetirizine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, itchy watery eyes and itchy skin rashes (hives). It causes less drowsiness than older antihistamines, but some people still feel sleepy. It is usually taken once a day, often in the evening, with or without food.
Uses of Levocet Tablet
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) — seasonal or year-round
- Itchy, watery eyes caused by allergy
- Hives (urticaria) and itchy skin rashes
Benefits
In allergic rhinitis
It eases sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes, which can help you sleep and work better.
In hives
It reduces itching and the size and number of raised, itchy patches on the skin.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
Get medical help if you notice
- Difficulty passing urine — contact your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually once a day. Swallow the tablet whole with water; it can be taken with or without food.
How it works
It blocks histamine, a chemical the body releases during an allergic reaction that causes sneezing, itching, a runny nose and skin swelling.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Alcohol can add to drowsiness. It is best avoided or kept to a minimum.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It is likely to pass into breast milk. Ask your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
Driving Caution
It can make some people drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
Kidney Caution
Your doctor may lower the dose or how often you take it if you have kidney disease. It is not suitable in severe kidney disease.
Liver Safe
No dose change is usually needed if you only have liver disease. If you also have kidney disease, your doctor may change the dose.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember the same day. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take it in the evening if it makes you sleepy.
- Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills while taking it.
- Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy or trouble passing urine.
- See a doctor if allergy symptoms do not improve.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Piperazine derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Anti-allergy
- Action class
- Second-generation H1 antihistamine
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Alcohol, sleeping pills, sedatives and some pain medicines | Can add to drowsiness |
| Ritonavir | May raise the level of levocetirizine in the blood |
| Theophylline | May slightly raise the level of levocetirizine |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Levocetirizine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: levocetirizine hydrochloride). Pharmacist review pending.