How much is Levocetirizine? The price of this medicine will be presented at the end of the article. You will also learn about how to use the drug, what doctors and patients say about it, in what form it goes on sale and what properties it has.
Form, packaging and composition of the medicine
The drug "Levocetirizine Teva" is available in tablet form. Their active ingredient is levocetirizine dihydrochloride. The composition of the drug also includes minor components in the form of lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate and colloidal silicon dioxide.
You can buy this medication in cardboard boxes in which aluminum blisters for 7, 14 or 10 tablets are placed.
Pharmacodynamics of the drug
What are Levocetirizine tablets? Instructions for use state that their active substance is the levorotatory isomer of cetirizine, which acts as a highly selective and powerful antagonist of peripheral H1 receptors.
The drug in question is able to affect the histamine-dependent phase of allergic manifestations, reduce the migration of eosinophils, reduce vascular permeability and release of inflammatory mediators.
This medication not only prevents the development, but also weakens the course of allergic reactions. It has antipruritic and antiexudative properties, and also has minimal anticholinergic and antiserotonin effects. In recommended therapeutic dosages, this drug practically does not cause drowsiness or lethargy.
Pharmacokinetics
What kinetic parameters do Levocetirizine tablets have? The instructions for use report that after taking a single dose of the drug, its therapeutic effectiveness in 50% of patients is noted after 12-13 minutes, and in 95% of patients - after about 60 minutes (the effect continues over the next day).
This medication has a linear pharmacokinetics. When taken orally, it is rapidly absorbed, regardless of food intake.
The bioavailability of this medicine reaches 100%. The highest concentration of the active substance is observed 55 minutes after administration, and the connection with proteins is about 90%.
The metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver, and it is excreted through the kidneys in full.
Indications for use
Levocetirizine tablets are prescribed for symptomatic therapy in the following diseases:
- hay fever (or so-called hay fever);
- rhinitis and conjunctivitis of an allergic origin, accompanied by itching, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, sneezing and hyperemia of the conjunctiva;
- angioedema;
- urticaria, including idiopathic, flowing in a chronic form;
- allergic dermatoses, which are characterized by itching and rashes.
Contraindications
What contraindications should you know before using Levocetirizine tablets? The instruction for use reports such prohibitions as:
- the age of the child is up to six years;
- Severe chronic renal failure;
- pregnancy period;
- hypersensitivity to drug elements, as well as observed to piperazine and its derivatives;
- period of breastfeeding.
With extreme caution, this medication is prescribed for chronic and chronic renal failure of mild to moderate severity, as well as in old age (due to a possible decrease in glomerular filtration).
The drug "Levocetirizine": instructions for use
According to experts, this medication is intended for oral administration, regardless of food intake. Tablets should be washed down with plain water.
Children over six years of age, as well as adult patients, are recommended a single dose of the drug, which is 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 a short-term exposure to an allergen, treatment can be completed in a week.
As for chronic conditions of an allergic nature, they may require taking the drug for six months.
Elderly patients and people with liver pathologies do not need dose adjustments.
In renal diseases, the dosage must be adjusted according to the patient's QC:
- 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 for 2 days.
Adverse reactions
What side effects may occur while taking Levocetirizine tablets? Reviews of experts indicate the following adverse reactions:
- fatigue, migraine, dizziness, irritability;
- drowsiness, visual impairment, abdominal pain, headaches;
- a feeling of dryness in the oral cavity, dyspepsia, dyspnea, asthenia;
- nausea, weight gain, tachycardia;
- allergic reactions in the form of Quincke's edema, rash on the skin, itching, urticaria.
Overdose Signs
When taking more than one tablet per day, adult patients develop drowsiness, while children develop agitation and anxiety.
Therapy of such conditions is reduced to symptomatic treatment with gastric lavage and sorbent intake.
Drug interaction
The simultaneous administration of Levocetirizine with Theophylline in a daily dosage of 400 mg leads to a decrease in the total clearance of the first by 16%, but does not change the kinetics of the second.
In sensitive people, taking the drug together with drugs that suppress the central nervous system, including ethanol, can potentiate their inhibitory effect.
Synonyms, analogues and cost of the drug
What analogues does Levocetirizine have? Drops for oral administration may have the same effect as the tablet form. Therefore, some experts recommend replacing the medication in question with such means as Pollezin and Suprastinex (in drops). In addition, “Allercetin”, “Zestra”, “Alerza”, “Rolinoz”, “Zirtek”, “Zincet”, “Cetrin”, “Allertek”, “Zetrinal”, “Amertil”, “Cetirizine” are analogues of this medicine , "Zodak", "Lethizen", "Parlazin."
As for synonyms, these drugs include the following: "Zodak" Allerset-L "," Zenaro "," Levocetirizine "Sandoz", "Cetrilev", "L-Cet", "Cesera", "Glenzet", "Suprastinex" , Aleron, Express, Xizal.
How much does a drug like Levocetirizine cost? Its price varies between 170-290 rubles.
Patient Reviews
The vast majority of reviews on the drug "Levocetirizin-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 year-round allergies. This drug allows you to maintain good health, eliminating all the unpleasant allergic symptoms.
Among the negative reviews you can find those that say 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.
Levocetirizine or Cetirizine: which is better?
This question is asked by many patients who regularly suffer from allergic reactions. Experts report that both of the presented medications effectively cope with the task. But, as practice shows, Levocetirizine tablets cover and eliminate a greater number of allergic symptoms.
At the same time, one cannot fail to say that Cetirizine has several forms of release (drops, tablets, syrup). This contributes to its more convenient use, especially in childhood (from six years).