Xyzal

What is Xyzal?

Xyzal is a brand of antihistamine from the Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB Pharma Ltd. Xyzal is available in two formulations: tablets and an oral liquid.

If you experience seasonal allergies or are frequently exposed to allergens, you can use Xyzal to help manage your symptoms.

You can obtain a private prescription for Xyzal online from Prescription Doctor after completing a brief medical questionnaire.

What is Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is a condition that causes cold-like symptoms after exposure to an allergen.

It occurs when the body overreacts to stimuli that would otherwise be harmless.

When an allergen, a substance which causes a reaction, is present in the body, the immune system interprets it as a threat. Cells release a chemical called histamine to fight the intruders.

These histamines are the cause of the symptoms you experience.

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:

• Congested sinuses
• Coughing
• Excessive fatigue
• Headaches
• Hives
• Irritated eyes
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Watery eyes

While these symptoms may seem mild, they can significantly affect your concentration, hand-eye coordination, memory, sleep patterns, and alertness, potentially causing you to miss days of work or putting you at risk of injuries or even car accidents.

You can seek treatment to manage your symptoms effectively.

A common treatment for allergies is antihistamines. These medicines prevent cells from secreting the chemical, which in turn reduces the symptoms.

There are two types of allergic rhinitis: seasonal rhinitis and perennial rhinitis.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, afflicts people during spring, summer and early autumn. Symptoms are often triggered by airborne pollen from grass, trees and weeds.

Perennial allergic rhinitis can cause symptoms year-round and is often triggered by animal dander (dead skin cells), feline saliva, dust mites, insects, and mould spores.

It's not uncommon for people to experience both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. Individuals who are sensitive to various triggers may notice that their symptoms worsen during seasons when the pollen count is higher.

How Does Xyzal Work?

Xyzal contains 5 mg of levocetirizine dihydrochloride per film-coated tablet and 0.5 mg/ml oral solution - a non-sedating antihistamine.

Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is a selective peripheral H1-receptor antagonist. It blocks histamine at H1 receptors to prevent or relieve inflammation in the sinuses and other allergy symptoms.

How to Take Xyzal

Always take Xyzal as prescribed by your doctor.

Do not take more or less than the recommended amount prescribed by your doctor.

To relieve allergy symptoms in adults, take one 5 mg tablet daily or 10 ml of the 0.5 mg/ml solution once daily. Your doctor may adjust your dose if you suffer from kidney problems.

You can take Xyzal with or without food.

If you forget to take your medicine, do not take a double dose of Xyzal to make up for a missed dose. Take your next dose at the normal time.

If you take more Xyzal than you should, contact your doctor straight away.

Xyzal Side Effects and Cautions

Before taking Xyzal, read the accompanying patient information leaflet. The patient information leaflet contains important information regarding the safety of Xyzal, including instructions on how to use, store, and dispose of the medication.

You can read the patient information for Xyzal tablets or the patient information leaflet for the oral solution online.

If you have any doubts or questions about the information in the patient information leaflet, speak to your doctor or ask a pharmacist for advice.

All medications carry the risk of side effects, though not everyone gets them.

Common side effects of Xyzal include:

• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Somnolence/drowsiness

Uncommon side effects of Xyzal include:

• Abdominal pain
• Exhaustion

This is not a complete list of side effects associated with taking Xyzal. For more information regarding the safety of Xyzal, read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine.

If you experience any side effects from Xyzal, regardless of whether they are listed above or in the patient information leaflet, please inform your doctor.

Always read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine for further information about potential side effects associated with it.

How Do I Know if Xyzal is Safe For Me?

Xyzal may not be suitable for you.

Do not take Xyzal if you:

• Are allergic to levocetirizine dihydrochloride, to cetirizine, to hydroxyzine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• Have severe kidney disease requiring dialysis

The ingredients of Xyzal are listed in the patient information leaflet.

Xyzal should be used with caution in people with:

• Enlarged prostate or spinal cord injury and are unable to empty your bladder
• Epilepsy

If you are scheduled for allergy testing, ask your doctor if you should stop taking Xyzal for several days before testing because this medicine can affect your allergy test results.

If you are concerned about any side effects or have questions about the medicine you are taking, consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Can I Take Xyzal While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you might be pregnant or planning to have a baby, speak to your doctor for advice to ensure that this medicine is safe for you to take.

How Do I Store Xyzal?

Keep Xyzal out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use the medication after the expiry date printed on the label and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Xyzal has no special storage instructions, but use the oral solution within 3 months of first opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take Xyzal With Other Medicines?

Please inform your prescriber of all the medications you are currently taking or will be taking while using Xyzal. This includes over-the-counter medicines, prescribed medicines, vitamins and health supplements.

Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Xyzal?

You should drink alcohol with caution when taking Xyzal due to alcohol or other agents acting on the brain. In sensitive patients, alcohol can cause additional reductions in alertness and impairment of performance.

Can Xyzal Make Me Drowsy?

Xyzal can make you drowsy. While taking Xyzal, check with your clinician if you are taking other medications that may increase your risk of drowsiness or affect alertness.

These include opioid pain relievers (such as codeine), alcohol, sleeping medication, muscle relaxants or other antihistamines.

If you feel sleepy while taking Xyzal, do not drive, ride a bike or operate machinery. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for further guidance.