levocetirizine
Brand names: Xyzal
Levocetirizine is an antihistamine medicine. It helps relieve allergy symptoms.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.15/unit
Generic Available
Yes (14 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats allergy symptoms.
Common side effects
No common side effects listed.
Key warnings
If you have kidney disease, do not use this medicine.
How It Works
Levocetirizine blocks histamine, a natural substance your body makes during an allergic reaction. By blocking histamine, it reduces allergy symptoms.
How to Take It
Adults and children 12-64 years old should take one 5mg tablet once a day in the evening. For less severe symptoms, you can take one-half of a tablet (2.5 mg) once daily in the evening. Do not take more than one tablet (5 mg) in 24 hours. Adults 65 years and older should ask a doctor.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
There is not enough information available about the safety of levocetirizine during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Serious Warnings
If you have kidney disease, do not use this medicine. Children under 6 years of age should not use this medicine.
Common Questions
Can I take more than one tablet a day?
What should I do if my symptoms don't improve?
Can children under 6 take this medicine?
Can I take this medicine if I have kidney problems?
When is the best time to take this medicine?
Can I drive or operate machinery after taking this medicine?
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medicine?
Is there a generic version of this medicine?
How long does it take for this medicine to work?
Can I take this medicine with other allergy medicines?
What drug class is levocetirizine?
Is levocetirizine safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Second-Generation Antihistamine
Other drugs grouped near levocetirizine — same-class peers and common alternatives.
azelastine
Astelin, Astepro
Azelastine nasal spray is an antihistamine medicine.
Compare with levocetirizine →
budesonide nasal
Rhinocort
Rhinocort is a nasal spray that helps relieve allergy symptoms.
Compare with levocetirizine →
cetirizine
Zyrtec
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is an antihistamine medicine.
Compare with levocetirizine →
chlorpheniramine
Chlor-Trimeton
Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine medicine.
Compare with levocetirizine →
ciclesonide nasal
Omnaris, Zetonna
Omnaris Nasal Spray is a medicine that helps treat allergy symptoms in your nose.
Compare with levocetirizine →
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What the FDA Data Shows for levocetirizine
The FDA label for levocetirizine (sold under brand names such as Xyzal) classifies it as an over-the-counter product in the Second-Generation Antihistamine class. This medicine treats allergy symptoms. Labeling covers dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements derived from clinical trials.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.15.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 10, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages