Xyzal

( Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride )

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jul 01, 2022

Warnings

What are the risks of taking Xyzal (levocetirizine)?

Xyzal can cause potentially serious health problems, especially in certain high-risk patients.

Some of the risks of taking Xyzal include:

Drowsiness: Xyzal can make you drowsy and affect your ability to think clearly. The risk is higher in people who consume alcohol or are taking other medications that can cause drowsiness, such as an opioid pain reliever, benzodiazepine (tranquilizer), or sleeping pill. Be careful while doing anything that requires your complete attention, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how Xyzal affects you.
Xyzal allergy: Severe allergic reactions to Xyzal can be life-threatening. Please call 911 and get emergency medical help if you experience rash, itching, worsening or urticaria symptoms (hives), or swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
Problems urinating: Rarely, Xyzal can cause problems with urinating. This is a risk if you have a spinal cord lesion or prostate problems. Stop taking Xyzal if this occurs, and call your doctor.

If you are at a high risk of complications from citalopram use, your doctor or pharmacist can help you find other treatments for your condition.

What should I tell my doctor before starting Xyzal (levocetirizine)?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to levocetirizine (Xyzal), cetirizine (Zyrtec), or other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of active and inactive ingredients in Xyzal.

Give your doctor a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal products. This can help avoid serious drug interactions.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions. Xyzal may not be right for people with certain medical conditions, such as end-stage kidney disease. Also, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

What precautions should I take while on Xyzal (levocetirizine)?

Xyzal can make you drowsy or sleepy. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do anything that requires focus before knowing how this medicine affects you. Know that drinking alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by Xyzal. Talk to your doctor about safely drinking alcohol while on this medication.

Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Xyzal. Do not take this medicine while breastfeeding.

What are Xyzal (levocetirizine) interactions?

Taking Xyzal with some other medications can affect how the medication works. Drug interactions can also increase the risk of serious side effects. Your physician may choose a different medication to treat your seasonal allergies, change the dose or frequency of one or both medicines, and/or closely monitor you for side effects if there are known interactions between Xyzal and your other medications.

There can be drug interactions between Xyzal and the following medications:

Antidepressants
Anti-anxiety medications
Medications used to treat mental illness or seizures

Ritonavir (Norvir)
Sleeping pills
Sedatives

Tranquilizers
Theophylline (Theolair, Theochron)

This list does not describe all possible Xyzal interactions. Give your healthcare professionals a complete list of your medications, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins and dietary supplements, and herbal products. Also, tell your health care provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription drugs.

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