Levocetirizine

Structural formula
General
Non-proprietary name	Levocetirizine
other names	( R ) -2 - {[4- (4-Chlorophenyl) phenylmethyl] -1-piperazinyl} ethoxyacetic acid; (-) - 2 - {[4- (4-Chlorophenyl) phenylmethyl] -1-piperazinyl} ethoxyacetic acid; L -2 - {[4- (4-chlorophenyl) phenylmethyl] -1-piperazinyl} ethoxyacetic acid;
Molecular formula	C 21 H 25 ClN 2 O 3 [cetirizine] ; C 21 H 25 ClN 2 O 3 · 2 HCl [cetirizine · di hydrochloride ] ;
External identifiers / databases
PubChem	1549000
ChemSpider	1266001
DrugBank	DB06282
Wikidata	Q421091
Drug information
ATC code	R06 AE09
Drug class	Antihistamine of ethylenediamine -type
properties
Molar mass	388,89 g · mol -1
safety instructions
	Please note the exemption from the labeling requirement for drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, food and animal feed
GHS hazard labeling ; no classification available
	As far as possible and customary, SI units are used. Unless otherwise noted, the data given apply to standard conditions .

Levocetirizine is a drug from the group of antihistamines that is used for the symptomatic treatment of allergic diseases . Stereochemically , levocetirizine is the active enantiomer ( eutomer ) of cetirizine .

Levocetirizine was first marketed in early 2001 by the Belgian company UCB as an active component of a drug under the name Xusal . The first registration took place in Germany. Levocetirizine was released from the prescription requirement at the end of March 2019.

Clinical information

Application areas (indications)

Levocetirizine is approved for the symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinitis and long-term idiopathic hives .

A superiority over the parent substance cetirizine in terms of efficacy has not yet been clearly proven for levocetirizine due to the lack of comparative studies, even if individual studies suggest this.

Adverse effects (side effects)

Common: headache, somnolence , dry mouth, tiredness.
Uncommon: fatigue, abdominal pain.
Rare: Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis , dyspnoea , nausea, Quincke's edema , itching, rash, urticaria , weight gain, palpitations , visual disturbances, hepatitis , increased liver function tests, aggressiveness, agitation, epileptic fits , muscle pain.

Trade names

Levocetirizine is the active component of the following drugs: Xusal ( DE ), Xyzall ( AT ), Xyzal ( CH ) and various generics (D, A, CH).

Web links

Entries in the NIH study registry

Individual evidence

↑ This substance has either not yet been classified with regard to its hazardousness or a reliable and citable source has not yet been found.
↑ Medical Review NDA 22-064. Levocetirizine . (PDF; 1 MB) US Food and Drug Administration, 2007; Retrieved September 25, 2008.
↑ Julia Borsch: First OTC levocetirizine preparations available soon. April 16, 2019, accessed July 2, 2020 .
↑ GM Walsh: A review of the role of levocetirizine as an effective therapy for allergic disease. In: Expert Opin Pharmacother , Volume 9, 2008, pp. 859-867, PMID 18345961 .
↑ C. Bachert: Levocetirizine vs. Cetirizine: An evidence-based differentiation based on pharmacology and clinic. In: Allergology. Volume 29, 2006, pp. 268-273.

[NV-1] This substance has either not yet been classified with regard to its hazardousness or a reliable and citable source has not yet been found.

[FDA-2] Medical Review NDA 22-064. Levocetirizine . (PDF; 1 MB) US Food and Drug Administration, 2007; Retrieved September 25, 2008.

[3] Julia Borsch: First OTC levocetirizine preparations available soon. April 16, 2019, accessed July 2, 2020 .

[Walsh-4] GM Walsh: A review of the role of levocetirizine as an effective therapy for allergic disease. In: Expert Opin Pharmacother , Volume 9, 2008, pp. 859-867, PMID 18345961 .

[Bachert-5] C. Bachert: Levocetirizine vs. Cetirizine: An evidence-based differentiation based on pharmacology and clinic. In: Allergology. Volume 29, 2006, pp. 268-273.