xyzal
Xyzal (Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride) is a histamine-1 receptor antagonist used to treat Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis, Urticaria.
Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride · by Chattem Sanofi
Available as a generic: Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride
- Drug class
- Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist
- Form
- Solution, Tablet
- Strength
- Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride 5MG **Federal Register Determination That Product was not Discontinued or Withdrawn for Safety or Effectiveness reasons**
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- Manufacturer
- Chattem Sanofi
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$0.06 per ml — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA022064
- Availability
- Discontinued (per FDA)
What is Xyzal?
From the FDA label:Levocetirizine dihydrochloride, the active component of XYZAL tablets and oral solution, is an orally active H 1 -receptor antagonist. The chemical name is (R)-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl) phenylmethyl]-1-piperazinyl] ethoxy] acetic acid dihydrochloride. Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is the R enantiomer of cetirizine hydrochloride, a racemic compound with antihistaminic properties. The empirical formula of levocetirizine dihydrochloride is C 21 H 25 ClN 2 O 3 •2HCl. The molecular weight is 461.82 and the chemical structure is shown below: Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is a white, crystalline powder and is water soluble. XYZAL 5 mg tablets are formulated as immediate release, white, film-coated, oval-shaped scored tablets for oral administration. The tablets are imprinted on both halves of the scored line with the letter Y in red (Opacode ® Red). Inactive ingredients are: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, colloidal anhydrous silica, and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide, and macrogol 400. XYZAL 0.5 mg/mL oral solution is formulated as an immediate release, clear, colorless liquid. Inactive ingredients are: sodium acetate trihydrate, glacial acetic acid, maltitol solution, glycerin, methylparaben, propylparaben, saccharin, flavoring (consisting of triacetin, natural & artificial flavors, dl-alpha-tocopherol), purified water.…
How to use
Xyzal is sold in more than one form (Solution and Tablet), and each is dosed differently. The instructions below come from the FDA label for application NDA022064 — follow the label that came with the product you were actually prescribed.
XYZAL is available as 2.5 mg/5 mL (0.5 mg/mL) oral solution and as 5 mg breakable (scored) tablets, allowing for the administration of 2.5 mg, if needed. XYZAL can be taken without regard to food consumption. Perennial Allergic Rhinitis ( 2.1 ) Children 6 months to 2 years of age: 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5 mL) once daily in the evening Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria ( 2.2 ) Adults and children 12 years of age and older: 5 mg once daily in the evening Children 6 to 11 years of age: 2.5 mg once daily in the evening Children 6 months to 5 years of age: 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5 mL) once daily in the evening Renal Impairment Adjust the dose in patients 12 years of age and older with decreased renal function ( 12.3 ) 2.1 Perennial Allergic Rhinitis Children 6 months to 2 Years of Age The recommended initial dose of XYZAL is 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5 mL) once daily in the evening. The 1.25 mg once daily dose should not be exceeded based on comparable exposure to adults receiving 5 mg [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 2.2 Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Adults and Children 12 Years of Age and Older The recommended dose of XYZAL is 5 mg (1 tablet or 2 teaspoons [10 mL] oral solution) once daily in the evening. Some patients may be adequately controlled by 2.5 mg (1/2 tablet or 1 teaspoon [5 mL] oral solution) once daily in the evening.…
Side effects
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Urinary Retention [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Risk of New Onset Pruritus After Discontinuation of XYZAL [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] The most common adverse reactions (rate ≥2% and > placebo) were somnolence, nasopharyngitis, fatigue, dry mouth, and pharyngitis in subjects 12 years of age and older, and pyrexia, somnolence, cough, and epistaxis in children 6 to 12 years of age. In subjects 1 to 5 years of age, the most common adverse reactions (rate ≥2% and > placebo) were pyrexia, diarrhea, vomiting, and otitis media. In subjects 6 to 11 months of age, the most common adverse reactions (rate ≥3% and > placebo) were diarrhea and constipation. ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC at 1-800-633-1610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety data described below reflect exposure to XYZAL in 2708 patients with allergic rhinitis or chronic idiopathic urticaria in 14…
Warnings
Important safety information
Somnolence: Somnolence, fatigue, and asthenia have been reported with use of XYZAL in some patients in clinical trials. Avoid engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness such as driving or operating machinery when taking XYZAL. Avoid concurrent use of alcohol or other central nervous system depressants with XYZAL. ( 5.1 ) Urinary Retention: Urinary retention has been reported with use of XYZAL. Use with caution in patients with predisposing factors of urinary retention (e.g. spinal cord lesion, prostatic hyperplasia). Discontinue XYZAL if urinary retention occurs. ( 5.2 ) Risk of New Onset Pruritus After Discontinuation of XYZAL: New onset pruritus within a few days after discontinuation of XYZAL has been reported, usually after long-term use (e.g., few months to years) of XYZAL. Symptoms may improve with restarting or tapering XYZAL ( 5.3 ). 5.1 Somnolence In clinical trials the occurrence of somnolence, fatigue, and asthenia has been reported in some patients under therapy with XYZAL. Patients should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness, and motor coordination such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle after ingestion of XYZAL. Concurrent use of XYZAL with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants should be avoided because additional reductions in alertness and additional impairment of central nervous system performance may occur. 5.2 Urinary Retention Urinary retention has been reported post marketing with XYZAL. XYZAL should be used with caution in patients with predisposing factors of urinary retention (e.g. spinal cord lesion, prostatic hyperplasia) as XYZAL may increase the risk of urinary retention. Discontinue XYZAL if urinary retention occurs. 5.3 Risk of New Onset Pruritus After Discontinuation of XYZAL Cases of pruritus after discontinuation of XYZAL have been reported in the postmarketing setting in patients where pruritus was not present before initiation of XYZAL. Pruritus occurred within a few days of discontinuing XYZAL among patients who used XYZAL long-term (e.g., few months to years). Reported cases of pruritus were infrequent, but some were serious with patients experiencing widespread severe pruritus [See Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . If pruritus occurs after discontinuation of XYZAL, symptoms may improve with restarting or tapering XYZAL.
Who should not take Xyzal
The use of XYZAL is contraindicated in: Patients with a known hypersensitivity to levocetirizine or any of the ingredients of XYZAL or to cetirizine ( 4.1 ) Patients with end-stage renal disease at less than 10 mL/min creatinine clearance or patients undergoing hemodialysis ( 4.2 ) Children 6 months to 11 years of age with renal impairment ( 4.3 ) 4.1 Patients with Known Hypersensitivity Patients with known hypersensitivity to levocetirizine or any of the ingredients of XYZAL, or to cetirizine. Observed reactions range from urticaria to anaphylaxis [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ) ] . 4.2 Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Patients with end-stage renal disease (CL CR <10 mL/min) and patients undergoing hemodialysis 4.3 Pediatric Patients with Impaired Renal Function Children 6 months to 11 years of age with impaired renal function
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Overdosage has been reported with XYZAL. Symptoms of overdose may include drowsiness in adults. In children agitation and restlessness may initially occur, followed by drowsiness. There is no known specific antidote to XYZAL. Should overdose occur, symptomatic or supportive treatment is recommended. XYZAL is not effectively removed by dialysis, and dialysis will be ineffective unless a dialyzable agent has been concomitantly ingested. The acute maximal non-lethal oral dose of levocetirizine was 240 mg/kg in mice (approximately 190 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in adults, approximately 230 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in children 6 to 11 years of age, and approximately 180 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in children 6 months to 5 years of age on a mg/m 2 basis). In rats the maximal non-lethal oral dose was 240 mg/kg (approximately 390 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in adults, approximately 460 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in children 6 to 11 years of age, and approximately 370 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in children 6 months to 5 years of age on a mg/m 2 basis).
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
In vitro data indicate that levocetirizine is unlikely to produce pharmacokinetic interactions through inhibition or induction of liver drug-metabolizing enzymes. No in vivo drug-drug interaction studies have been performed with levocetirizine. Drug interaction studies have been performed with racemic cetirizine. 7.1 Antipyrine, Azithromycin, Cimetidine, Erythromycin, Ketoconazole, Theophylline, and Pseudoephedrine Pharmacokinetic interaction studies performed with racemic cetirizine demonstrated that cetirizine did not interact with antipyrine, pseudoephedrine, erythromycin, azithromycin, ketoconazole, and cimetidine. There was a small decrease (~16%) in the clearance of cetirizine caused by a 400 mg dose of theophylline. It is possible that higher theophylline doses could have a greater effect. 7.2 Ritonavir Ritonavir increased the plasma AUC of cetirizine by about 42% accompanied by an increase in half-life (53%) and a decrease in clearance (29%) of cetirizine. The disposition of ritonavir was not altered by concomitant cetirizine administration.
Drug class
How this class works, per Antihistamines - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Xyzal ranks — best-rated histamine-1 receptor antagonist for:
Dosage forms
Solution and Tablet
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Xyzal treat?
- Xyzal (Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride) may be used to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis, urticaria, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Xyzal work?
- Xyzal is a histamine-1 receptor antagonist. H1 antihistamines work by blocking histamine, the chemical released during an allergic reaction, from attaching to H1 receptors. This prevents the sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes, and hives that histamine would otherwise trigger.
- How much does Xyzal cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $0.06 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Xyzal?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Xyzal. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Xyzal?
- Xyzal is marketed by Chattem Sanofi. You can see Chattem Sanofi's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Xyzal a brand-name or generic drug?
- Xyzal is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Xyzal available over the counter?
- No. Xyzal is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Xyzal come in?
- Xyzal is currently marketed as solution and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Xyzal?
- Xyzal is classified as histamine-1 receptor antagonist, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Xyzal FDA-registered?
- Xyzal is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA022064. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Xyzal safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Xyzal. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Xyzal?
- Xyzal's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Urinary Retention [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Risk of New Onset Pruritus After Discontinuation of XYZAL [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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