"Levocetirizine": instructions for use, description of the preparation, analogues and reviews

How much does the medicine "Levocetirizine" cost? The price of this medication will be presented at the end of the article. Also, you will learn how to use the drug mentioned, what doctors and patients say about it, in what form it comes into the market and what properties it has.

Form, packaging and composition of the medicine

The drug "Levocetirizine Teva" is available in the form of tablets. Their active ingredient is levocetirizine dihydrochloride. Also in the composition of the medicament are minor components in the form of lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate and colloidal silicon dioxide.

You can buy this medication in cardboard boxes, which contain aluminum blisters for 7, 14 or 10 tablets.

Pharmacodynamics of the preparation

What are Levocetirizine tablets? The instruction for use states that their active substance is a levorotatory isomer of cetirizine, which acts as a highly selective and potent antagonist of peripheral H1 receptors.

This drug is able to influence the histamine-dependent phase of allergic manifestations, reduce the migration of eosinophils, reduce vascular permeability and release inflammatory mediators.

This medication not only prevents development, but also weakens the course of allergic reactions. It has antipruritic and antiexudative properties, and also has minimal anticholinergic and antiserotonin effect. In the recommended therapeutic dosages, this drug almost does not cause drowsiness and lethargy.

Pharmacokinetics

What kinetic parameters do tablets of "Levocetirizine" have? Instructions for use informs that after taking one dose of the drug, its therapeutic efficacy in 50% of patients is observed in 12-13 minutes, and in 95% of patients - after about 60 minutes (the effect continues for the next 24 hours).

This drug has a linear pharmacokinetics. When ingested, it is quickly absorbed regardless of the meal.

The bioavailability of this drug reaches 100%. The highest concentration of active substance is observed 55 minutes after administration, and the connection with proteins is about 90%.

Metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver, and it is excreted through the kidneys in full.

Indications for use

Tablets "Levocetirizine" is prescribed for symptomatic therapy in the following diseases:

• Pollinosis (or so-called hay fever);
• Rhinitis and conjunctivitis of allergic origin, accompanied by itching, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, sneezing and congestion hyperemia;
• Angioedema;
• Urticaria, including idiopathic, proceeding in chronic form;
• Allergic dermatoses, which are characterized by itching and rashes.

Contraindications for use

What contraindications should you know before using Levocetirizine tablets? Instruction for use reports such prohibitions as:

• The child's age is up to six years;
• CRF, taking place in severe form;
• Period of pregnancy;
• Hypersensitivity to the elements of the drug, as well as observed to piperazine and its derivatives;
• The period of breastfeeding.

With special care, this medication is prescribed for chronic and moderate-to-moderate CRF, as well as in old age (because of the possible reduction in glomerular filtration).

The drug "Levocetirizine": instructions for use

According to specialists, this medication is intended for oral intake regardless of eating. Tablets should be washed down with plain water.

Children over the age of six, as well as adult patients, are recommended a one-time dose of 5 mg. The indicated dosage is the maximum allowable per day.

The average duration of therapy is 3-6 weeks and depends on the severity of the symptoms. With short-term exposure to the allergen, treatment can be completed in a week.

As for chronic allergic conditions, they may require taking the drug for six months.

Elderly patients and people with liver pathologies do not need to adjust doses.

For renal diseases, the dosage should be adjusted according to the patient's CK:

• Less than 10 ml per minute - medication is contraindicated;
• Less than 30 ml per minute - 5 mg for 6 days;
• 30-49 ml per minute - 5 mg 4 days;
• More than 50 ml per minute - 5 mg 2 days.

Adverse Reactions

What side effects can occur when taking Levocetirizine tablets? The experts' comments indicate the following undesirable reactions:

• Fatigue, migraine, dizziness, irritability;
• Drowsiness, visual disturbances, abdominal pain, headaches;
• Feeling of dryness in the oral cavity, dyspepsia, dyspnea, asthenia;
• Nausea, weight gain, tachycardia;
• Allergic reactions in the form of Quincke edema, rashes on the skin, itching, urticaria.

Signs of an overdose

When taking more than one tablet a day, adult patients develop drowsiness, and in children - agitation and anxiety.

Therapy of such conditions is reduced to symptomatic treatment with gastric lavage and sorbent administration.

Drug Interactions

Simultaneous reception of "Levocetirizine" with "Theophylline" in a daily dosage equal to 400 mg, leads to a decrease in the overall clearance of the first by 16%, but does not change the kinetics of the second.

In sensitive people, co-administration of the drug with agents that suppress the central nervous system, including with ethanol, can potentiate their inhibitory effect.

Synonyms, analogues and cost of a medicinal product

What are the analogues of the drug "Levocetirizine"? Drops for ingestion may have the same effect as the tablet form. Therefore, some experts recommend replacing the drug in question by such means as "Pollezin" and "Suprastinex" (in drops). In addition, the analogs of this medication are "Allertzetin", "Zestra", "Alerza", "Rolinosis", "Zirtek", "Zincet", "Cetrin", "Allertec", "Zetrilal", "Amertil", "Cetirizin" , "Zodak", "Letizen", "Parlazin".

As for synonyms, the following products are classified as such: Zodak Allerset-L, Zenaro, Levocetirizine Sandoz, Tsetrilev, L-Zet, Tsesera, Glencet, Suprastinex , "Aleron", Express "," Xizal ".

How much does a drug such as "Levocetirizine" cost? Its price varies between 170 and 290 rubles.

Patient Reviews

In the overwhelming majority of reviews about the drug "Levocetirizine-Teva" are positive. Many patients who regularly suffer from various allergic reactions, very often use this medication. They argue that "Levocetirizine" is an effective tool not only for long-term therapy, but also for first aid for seasonal or all-year-round allergies. This drug helps maintain health at the proper level, eliminating all unpleasant symptoms of an allergic nature.

Among negative reviews, one can find those in which it is said that the medication in question causes drowsiness, fatigue and irritability. Doctors say that when taking the right doses of the drug, these reactions occur extremely rarely.

"Levocetirizin" or "Cetirizine": what is better?

This question is asked by many patients who regularly suffer from allergic reactions. Experts say that both drugs are effective in coping with the task. But, as practice shows, "Levocetirizine" tablets cover and eliminate a greater number of allergic symptoms.

At the same time, one can not help saying that Cetirizin has several forms of release (drops, tablets, syrup). This contributes to its more convenient use, especially in childhood (from six years).