What each one is for, how to take it, side effects and warnings, side by side from the official labels.
| Cetirizine | Levocetirizine | |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: • runny nose, • sneezing, • itchy, watery eyes, • itching of the nose or throat | temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other respiratory allergies: runny nose sneezing itchy, watery eyes itching of the nose or throat |
| Usual adult dose | Not on the label | Adults 65 years of age and older. |
| Infancia | Children 6 years and over 1 tablet (5 mg) or 2 tablets once daily depending upon severity of symptoms. | Children 6-11 years of age take 1/2 tablet (2.5 mg) once daily in the evening. |
| Prescription (U.S.) | No (over the counter) | No (over the counter) |
| Common side effects | Not on the label | Stop use and ask doctor if you have trouble urinating or emptying your bladder an allergic reaction to this product occurs. Seek medical help right away. |
| Pregnancy | Not on the label | If pregnant or breast-feeding: if breast-feeding: not recommended if pregnant: ask a health professional before use |
From the official U.S. labels. Brands and strengths differ between countries.
The official labels mention them together: Do not use if you have kidney disease if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients or to an antihistamine containing cetirizine. Ask a pharmacist before combining them.
Check them togetherCetirizine is a medicine and Levocetirizine is a medicine. Cetirizine is used for: temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: • runny nose, • sneezing, • itchy, watery eyes, • itching of the nose or throat Levocetirizine is used for: temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other respiratory allergies: runny nose sneezing itchy, watery eyes itching of the nose or throat
The official labels mention them together: Do not use if you have kidney disease if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this product or any of its ingredients or to an antihistamine containing cetirizine. Ask a pharmacist before combining them.
It depends on what you are treating, your health and other medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you which one suits you; this page shows what each official label says.