Levocetirizine (Cetirizine-R-enantiomer) is a potent and selective antagonist of peripheral histamine H-receptors1. It inhibits endothelial migration of eosinophils through skin and lung cells. The effect of a dose of levocetirizine equal to half the dose of Cetirizine is comparable to that of Cetirizine, both on the skin and on the nasal mucosa. Levocetirizine relieves symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including nasal congestion. It inhibits the reaction leading to the formation of wheals and redness. Levocetirizine is rapidly and extensively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, reaching Cmax during 0.9 h. Steady state is reached after 2 days of use. It is 90% bound to plasma proteins. It is metabolized to a small extent (<14%). T0,5 in adults it is 7.9 ± 1.9 h. Levocetirizine and its metabolites are mainly excreted in the urine - an average of 85.4% of the administered dose. Only 12.9% of the dose is excreted in the faeces.
Contraindications:
Hypersensitivity to the active substance, hydroxyzine and other piperazine derivatives or to any of the excipients. Severe renal impairment with creatinine clearance <10 ml / min.
Precautions:
Levocetirizine is not recommended for use in infants and children <2 years of age. It is not recommended to administer to children from 2 to 6 years of age, because the available drug form (ret. Table) does not allow the appropriate dose adjustment; it is recommended to use the drug in pharmaceutical forms intended for children. Take special care when consuming alcohol while using the drug.
Pregnancy and lactation:
Animal studies do not indicate any adverse effects of levocetirizine on pregnancy, fetal and / or neonatal health, parturition or postnatal development. Caution should be exercised when recommending levocetirizine to pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Side effects:
Common: headache, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue. Uncommon: weakness, abdominal pain. Not known: hypersensitivity (including anaphylactic reaction), increased appetite, aggression, agitation, hallucinations, depression, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, convulsions, paresthesia, dizziness (of central origin), fainting, tremor, disturbed taste, dizziness (nephritic ), blurred vision, blurred vision, palpitations, tachycardia, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, hepatitis, painful or difficult urination, urinary retention, angioneurotic edema, persistent drug eruption, pruritus, rash, urticaria, muscle pain, edema, increased body weight, abnormal liver function tests. In children from 6 to 11 months and children from 1 to less than 6 years often or very often: diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, sleep disorders. In children 6-12 years often or very often: headache, drowsiness.
Dosage:
Orally. Adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over: 5 mg (1 table total) per day; children 6-12 years: 5 mg (1 table total) per day.Special flu patients. In patients with hepatic impairment and in the elderly, no dosage adjustment is necessary. In patients with impaired renal function, dosing should be dependent on creatinine clearance - ≥ 80 ml / min: 5 mg once a day; 50-79 ml / min: 5 mg once a day; 30-49 ml / min: 5 mg every other day; <30 ml / min: 5 mg every third day; <10 ml / min: the drug is contraindicated. In children with impaired renal function, the dose should be determined individually based on the value of renal clearance and body weight; lack of detailed data on the use in children with impaired renal function. It is not recommended for use in children from 2 years to less than 6 years because it is not possible to adjust the dose in the form of tablets. powl. It is not recommended for use in children under the age of 2 years (no data on use in this age group).Duration of treatment. Do not use for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor. Periodic allergic rhinitis (symptoms <4 days in a week or for less than 4 weeks) should be treated according to the course of the disease; treatment may be discontinued immediately after the symptoms have resolved and resumed at the time of their recurrence. In chronic allergic rhinitis (symptoms> 4 days in the week and lasting longer than 4 weeks), the patient may be advised to continue treatment during exposure to allergens. Clinical experience on the use of 5 mg levocetirizine in the form of area, includes 6 months period of treatment. Clinical experience with the use of racemate (cetirizine) in chronic urticaria and chronic allergic rhinitis refers to up to 1 year.Way of giving. Table. powl. swallow whole with liquid. Take it with or without food. It is recommended to take the dose once a day.
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