UK Registered DoctorsXyzal
Xyzal may be prescribed for people who have symptoms of allergic rhinitis and urticaria.
Can I buy Xyzal online?
The Online Clinic can prescribe Xyzal following a consultation with one of our GPs. Please complete the consultation form to proceed.
What is Xyzal?
Xyzal is an anti-allergic medicine that can be used to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Symptoms such as watering and itchy eyes, a runny, blocked and itchy nose, and sneezing are common with allergic rhinitis. Where symptoms are experienced for 4 or more days each week and for 4 or more consecutive weeks, then the condition is called persistent allergic rhinitis. Xyzal can also be taken to treat urticaria (nettle rash or hives) that appear as red, intensely itchy wheals on the skin.
Xyzal comes in the form of film-coated tablets or an oral solution. It contains the active ingredient called levocetirizine dihydrochloride. Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is an antihistamine, meaning it works by stopping the action histamine. What happens is that an allergy trigger alerts your immune system, which messages special cells to release histamine; histamine increases blood flow at the trigger point and then attaches to specific areas on the other cells of the body (called receptors), causing symptoms. What Xyzal does is stops the histamine from attaching to its receptors, thus preventing symptoms.
How to use Xyzal
Follow the guidance given to you by the doctor or pharmacist on how much to take, when to take, and for how long to take Xyzal. For the Xyzal oral tablets, the usual dose for adults and children of 6 years and older is one 5 mg tablet per day. Doses of the Xyzal oral solution are: 10 ml of solution once per day for adults and adolescents 12 years and older; 10 ml solution once per day for children of 6–12 years and older; and 2.5 ml solution twice a day for children 2–6 years. If you have a problem with both your kidneys and liver, then you will be told to take a lower dose, which will depend on the kidney disease severity. A child's dose is dependent on their body weight. Please note that The Online Clinic does not treat children.
The tablet is swallowed whole with some water. The oral solution comes with an oral syringe. This is dipped into the bottle; the plunger is then drawn up to the line corresponding to the prescribed dose. By pushing the plunger down, the medicine can be put onto a spoon and taken undiluted or diluted in a glass of water; whichever, take the medicine immediately and then rinse the plunger.
Both tablets and oral solution can be taken with or without food. If you take too much Xyzal, your doctor or pharmacist will tell you what to do. If you forget your Xyzal dose, or do not take the full dose, then simply take your usual dose (not more) at the normal time. Your doctor will tell you when to stop taking Xyzal, depending on your symptoms. You should have no effect when stopping the treatment, but rarely people have intense itching.
Who can use Xyzal?
Xyzal can be used by adults 65 years of age and older, adults, and adolescents 12 years and older. Xyzal tablets are for children age 6–12 years and Xyzal oral solution are for those age 2–12 years and older. Xyzal should not be used for children under 6 years (tablets) and 2 years (oral solution) of age. Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding, may be pregnant or trying for a baby should discuss using this medicine with their doctor.
Xyzal should not be taken by people who are allergic to levocetirizine dihydrochloride, or to hydroxyzine, cetirizine, or any of its ingredients. Xyzal is also not to be used by people with severe damage to their kidney function (kidney failure). All people who have problems emptying their bladder, such as those with prostate problems or spinal cord injury; have epilepsy or are at risk of seizures; or have an intolerance to certain sugars (lactose, mannitol) should talk to a doctor before starting Xyzal.
All your medicines taken currently as well as those recently taken or might take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, should be discussed with a doctor before starting Xyzal. If having an allergy test, find out if you should stop this medicine for several days before the test.
Xyzal Side Effects
Use of Xyzal may cause a hypersensitivity reaction, with symptoms including swelling of the face, mouth, tongue and throat, problems swallowing or breathing, skin hives and a drop in blood pressure; if you have any of these, immediately stop using Xyzal and get medical assistance.
Dry mouth, tiredness, drowsiness, and headache are common, while fewer people experience abdominal pain. A range of other symptoms have been reported including palpitations, pins and needles, tremor, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea, visual disturbances, dizziness, problems urinating, skin rashes, urticaria, muscular/joint pain, mood disturbances, mental health issues, and liver problems. Taking Xyzal when drinking alcohol or when using other agents that act on the brain may further increase drowsiness and reduce functioning. Intense itching can occur when discontinuing Xyzal.
GMC registration number: 4524038
Date: 31 October 2022
Next review: 30 October 2024
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