Pharmacologic classification: histamine receptor inhibitor
Therapeutic classification: antihistamine
Pregnancy risk category: B
AVAILABLE FORMS
Tablets: 5 mg
INDICATIONS AND DOSAGES
Relief of symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis; treatment of uncomplicated chronic idiopathic urticaria--
Adults and children age 12 years and older: 5 mg/day P.O. taken in the evening.
Children ages 6 to 11 years: 2.5 mg/day P.O. taken in the evening.
ADJUST-A-DOSE:
For patients age 12 years or older with severe renal impairment; with creatinine clearance of 50 to 80 ml/minute, give 2.5 mg/day P.O; with creatinine clearance of 30 to 50 ml/minute, give 2.5 mg P.O. every other day; with creatinine clearance of 10 to 30 ml/minute, give 2.5 mg P.O. twice weekly (once every 3 to 4 days). Not recommended for patients with creatinine clearance less than 10 ml/minute or for patients younger than age 12 years.
CONTRAINDICATIONS AND CAUTIONS
Contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to any components of the drug or to cetirizine. Also contraindicated in patients with end stage renal disease, in children ages 6 to 11 years with renal impairment, and in breast-feeding women.
Use cautiously with CNS depressants and in pregnant women.
INTERACTIONS
Drug-drug.
CNS depressants: Increased risk of CNS depression. Use together cautiously.
Drug-lifestyle.
Alcohol use: Increased risk of CNS depression. Discourage alcohol use.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
CNS: somnolence, asthenia.
GI: dry mouth.
Respiratory: nasopharyngitis, cough, pharyngitis, nose bleed.
Other: fatigue, fever.
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening,
or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING.
|
levocetirizine dihydrochloride