Levocetrizine Dihydrochloride

Indications

Levocetrizine Dihydrochloride is used for: Allergic rhinitis, Chronic idiopathic urticaria

Adult Dose

Oral Seasonal allergic rhinitis, Chronic idiopathic urticaria Adult: 5mg once daily

Child Dose

Oral Seasonal allergic rhinitis, Chronic idiopathic urticaria Children 12 years of age and older: 5mg once daily Children 6 to 11 years of age: 2.5mg (1/2 tablet or 1 teaspoon oral solution) once daily Children 6 months to 5 years of age: 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) once daily

Renal Dose

>12 years CrCl: 50-80 mL/min: 2.5 mg PO qDay CrCl: 30-50 mL/min: 2.5 PO qODay CrCl: 10-30 mL/min: 2.5 mg every 3-4 days CrCl: <10 mL/min, hemodialysis: Contraindicated

Administration

May be taken with or without food.

Contra Indications

Lactation. End-stage renal disease (CrCl <10 ml/min) or haemodialysis patients. Child 6-11 yr with renal impairment.

Precautions

Renal impairment. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Lactation: expected to be excreted in breast milk, avoid

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Possible additive adverse CNS effects w/ CNS depressants (e.g. sedatives, tranquilizers).

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Levocetrizine Dihydrochloride : 1-10% Dry mouth,Fatigue,Nasopharyngitis,Pharyngitis Frequency Not Defined Somnolence, dizziness, pyrexia, cough, epistaxis, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, otitis media, dysuria, urinary retention, blurred vision, angioedema, paraesthesia, dystonia, oculogyric crisis, myoclonus, extrapyramidal symptoms.

Mechanism of Action

Levocetirizine is an active isomer of cetirizine which selectively competes w/ histamine for H1-receptor sites on effector cells in the GI tract, blood vessels and resp tract.