⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This information is sourced from FDA drug labels for informational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.
✅ Uses & Indications
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE XYZAL is a histamine H 1 -receptor antagonist indicated for: The relief of symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis ( 1.1 ) The treatment of the uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Perennial Allergic Rhinitis XYZAL is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis in children 6 months to 2 years of age. 1.2 Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria XYZAL is indicated for the treatment of the uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children 6 months of age and older.
📏 Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION XYZAL is available as 2.5 mg/5 mL (0.5 mg/mL) oral solution and as 5 mg breakable (scored) tablets, allowing for the administration of 2.5 mg, if needed. XYZAL can be taken without regard to food consumption. Perennial Allergic Rhinitis ( 2.1 ) Children 6 months to 2 years of age: 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5 mL) once daily in the evening Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria ( 2.2 ) Adults and children 12 years of age and older: 5 mg once daily in the evening Children 6 to 11 years of age: 2.5 mg once daily in the evening Children 6 months to 5 years of age: 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5 mL) once daily in the evening Renal Impairment Adjust the dose in patients 12 years of age and older with decreased renal function ( 12.3 ) 2.1 Perennial Allergic Rhinitis Children 6 months to 2 Years of Age The recommended initial dose of XYZAL is 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5 mL) once daily in the evening. The 1.25 mg once daily dose should not be exceeded based on comparable exposure to adults receiving 5 mg [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 2.2 Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Adults and Children 12 Years of Age and Older The recommended dose of XYZAL is 5 mg (1 tablet or 2 teaspoons [10 mL] oral solution) once daily in the evening. Some patients may be adequately controlled by 2.5 mg (1/2 tablet or 1 teaspoon [5 mL] oral solution) once daily in the evening. Children 6 to 11 Years of Age The recommended dose of XYZAL is 2.5 mg (1/2 tablet or 1 teaspoon [5 mL] oral solution) once daily in the evening. The 2.5 mg dose should not be exceeded because the systemic exposure with 5 mg is approximately twice that of adults [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] . Children 6 months to 5 Years of Age The recommended initial dose of XYZAL is 1.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon oral solution) (2.5 mL) once daily in the evening. The 1.25 mg once daily dose should not be exceeded based on comparable exposure to adults receiving 5 mg [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Dose Adjustment for Renal and Hepatic Impairment In adults and children 12 years of age and older with: Mild renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CL CR ] = 50-80 mL/min): a dose of 2.5 mg once daily is recommended; Moderate renal impairment (CL CR = 30-50 mL/min): a dose of 2.5 mg once every other day is recommended; Severe renal impairment (CL CR = 10-30 mL/min): a dose of 2.5 mg twice weekly (administered once every 3-4 days) is recommended; End-stage renal disease patients (CL CR <10 mL/min) and patients undergoing hemodialysis should not receive XYZAL. No dose adjustment is needed in patients with solely hepatic impairment. In patients with both hepatic impairment and renal impairment, adjustment of the dose is recommended.
💊 Side Effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Urinary Retention [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Risk of New Onset Pruritus After Discontinuation of XYZAL [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] The most common adverse reactions (rate ≥2% and > placebo) were somnolence, nasopharyngitis, fatigue, dry mouth, and pharyngitis in subjects 12 years of age and older, and pyrexia, somnolence, cough, and epistaxis in children 6 to 12 years of age. In subjects 1 to 5 years of age, the most common adverse reactions (rate ≥2% and > placebo) were pyrexia, diarrhea, vomiting, and otitis media. In subjects 6 to 11 months of age, the most common adverse reactions (rate ≥3% and > placebo) were diarrhea and constipation. ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC at 1-800-633-1610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety data described below reflect exposure to XYZAL in 2708 patients with allergic rhinitis or chronic idiopathic urticaria in 14 controlled clinical trials of 1 week to 6 months duration. The short-term (exposure up to 6 weeks) safety data for adults and adolescents are based upon eight clinical trials in which 1896 patients (825 males and 1071 females aged 12 years and older) were treated with XYZAL 2.5, 5, or 10 mg once daily in the evening. The short-term safety data from pediatric patients are based upon two clinical trials in which 243 children with allergic rhinitis (162 males and 81 females 6 to 12 years of age) were treated with XYZAL 5 mg once daily for 4 to 6 weeks, one clinical trial in which 114 children (65 males and 49 females 1 to 5 years of age) with allergic rhinitis or chronic idiopathic urticaria were treated with XYZAL 1.25 mg twice daily for 2 weeks, and one clinical trial in which 45 children (28 males and 17 females 6 to 11 months of age) with symptoms of allergic rhinitis or chronic urticaria were treated with XYZAL 1.25 mg once daily for 2 weeks. The long-term (exposure of 4 or 6 months) safety data in adults and adolescents are based upon two clinical trials in which 428 patients (190 males and 238 females) with allergic rhinitis were exposed to treatment with XYZAL 5 mg once daily. Long term safety data are also available from an 18-month trial in 255 XYZAL-treated subjects 12-24 months of age. Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trial of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adults and Adolescents 12 years of Age and Older In studies up to 6 weeks in duration, the mean age of the adult and adolescent patients was 32 years, 44% of the patients were men and 56% were women, and the large majority (more than 90%) was Caucasian. In these trials 43% and 42% of the subjects in the XYZAL 2.5 mg and 5 mg groups, respectively, had at least one adverse event compared to 43% in the placebo group. In placebo-controlled trials of 1-6 weeks in duration, the most common adverse reactions were somnolence, nasopharyngitis, fatigue, dry mouth, and pharyngitis, and most were mild to moderate in intensity. Somnolence with XYZAL showed dose ordering between tested doses of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg and was the most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation (0.5%). Table 1 lists adverse reactions that were reported in greater than or equal to 2% of subjects aged 12 years and older exposed to XYZAL 2.5 mg or 5 mg in eight placebo-controlled clinical trials and that were more common with XYZAL than placebo. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥2%* of Subjects Aged 12 Years and Older Exposed to XYZAL 2.5 mg or 5 mg Once Daily in Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials 1-6 Weeks in Duration Adverse Reactions XYZAL 2.5 mg (n = 421) XYZAL 5 mg (n = 1070) Placebo (n = 912) Somnolence 22 (5%) 61 (6%) 16 (2%) Nasopharyngitis 25 (6%) 40 (4%) 28 (3%) Fatigue 5 (1%) 46 (4%) 20 (2%) Dry Mouth 12 (3%) 26 (2%) 11 (1%) Pharyngitis 10 (2%) 12 (1%) 9 (1%) * Rounded to the closest unit percentage Additional adverse reactions of medical significance observed at a higher incidence than in placebo in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older exposed to XYZAL are syncope (0.2%) and weight increased (0.5%). Pediatric Patients 6 to 12 Years of Age A total of 243 pediatric patients 6 to 12 years of age received XYZAL 5 mg once daily in two short-term placebo controlled double-blind trials. The mean age of the patients was 9.8 years, 79 (32%) were 6 to 8 years of age, and 50% were Caucasian. Table 2 lists adverse reactions that were reported in greater than or equal to 2% of subjects aged 6 to 12 years exposed to XYZAL 5 mg in placebo-controlled clinical trials and that were more common with XYZAL than placebo. Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥2%* of Subjects Aged 6-12 Years Exposed to XYZAL 5 mg Once Daily in Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials 4 and 6 Weeks in Duration Adverse Reactions XYZAL 5 mg (n = 243) Placebo (n = 240) Pyrexia 10 (4%) 5 (2%) Cough 8 (3%) 2 (<1%) Somnolence 7 (3%) 1 (<1%) Epistaxis 6 (2%) 1 (<1%) * Rounded to the closest unit percentage Pediatric Patients 1 to 5 Years of Age A total of 114 pediatric patients 1 to 5 years of age received XYZAL 1.25 mg twice daily in a two week placebo-controlled double-blind safety trial. The mean age of the patients was 3.8 years, 32% were 1 to 2 years of age, 71% were Caucasian and 18% were Black. Table 3 lists adverse reactions that were reported in greater than or equal to 2% of subjects aged 1 to 5 years exposed to XYZAL 1.25 mg twice daily in the placebo-controlled safety trial and that were more common with XYZAL than placebo. Table 3: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥2%* of Subjects Aged 1-5 Years Exposed to XYZAL 1.25 mg Twice Daily in a 2-Week Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Adverse Reactions XYZAL 1.25 mg Twice Daily (n = 114) Placebo (n = 59) Pyrexia 5 (4%) 1 (2%) Diarrhea 4 (4%) 2 (3%) Vomiting 4 (4%) 2 (3%) Otitis Media 3 (3%) 0 (0%) * Rounded to the closest unit percentage Pediatric Patients 6 to 11 Months of Age A total of 45 pediatric patients 6 to 11 months of age received XYZAL 1.25 mg once daily in a two week placebo-controlled double-blind safety trial. The mean age of the patients was 9 months, 51% were Caucasian and 31% were Black. Adverse reactions that were reported in more than 1 subject (i.e. greater than or equal to 3% of subjects) aged 6 to 11 months exposed to XYZAL 1.25 mg once daily in the placebo-controlled safety trial and that were more common with XYZAL than placebo included diarrhea and constipation which were reported in 6 (13%) and 1 (4%) and 3 (7%) and 1 (4%) children in the XYZAL and placebo-treated groups, respectively. Long-Term Clinical Trials Experience In two controlled clinical trials, 428 patients (190 males and 238 females) aged 12 years and older were treated with XYZAL 5 mg once daily for 4 or 6 months. The patient characteristics and the safety profile were similar to that seen in the short-term studies. Ten (2.3%) patients treated with XYZAL discontinued because of somnolence, fatigue or asthenia compared to 2 (<1%) in the placebo group. There are no long term clinical trials in children below 12 years of age with allergic rhinitis or chronic idiopathic urticaria. Laboratory Test Abnormalities Elevations of blood bilirubin and transaminases were reported in <1% of patients in the clinical trials. The elevations were transient and did not lead to discontinuation in any patient. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience In addition to the adverse reactions reported during clinical trials and listed above, the following adverse reactions have also been identified during postapproval use of XYZAL. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiac disorders : palpitations, tachycardia Ear and labyrinth disorders : vertigo Eye disorders : blurred vision, visual disturbances Gastrointestinal disorders : nausea, vomiting General disorders and administration site conditions : edema Hepatobiliary disorders : hepatitis Immune system disorders : anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity Metabolism and nutrition disorders : increased appetite Musculoskeletal, connective tissues, and bone disorders : arthralgia, myalgia Nervous system disorders : dizziness, dysgeusia, febrile seizure, movement disorders (including dystonia and oculogyric crisis), paresthesia, seizure (reported in subjects with and without a known seizure disorder), tremor Psychiatric disorders : aggression and agitation, depression, hallucinations, insomnia, nightmare, suicidal ideation Renal and urinary disorders : dysuria, urinary retention Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders : dyspnea Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders : angioedema, fixed drug eruption, pruritus, rash, urticaria, and new onset pruritus within a few days after discontinuation of XYZAL, usually after long-term use (e.g., few months to years) of XYZAL Besides these reactions reported under treatment with XYZAL, other potentially severe adverse reactions have been reported from the postmarketing experience with cetirizine. Since levocetirizine is the principal pharmacologically active component of cetirizine, one should take into account the fact that the following adverse reactions could also potentially occur under treatment with XYZAL. Cardiac disorders : severe hypotension Gastrointestinal disorders : cholestasis Nervous system disorders : extrapyramidal symptoms, myoclonus, orofacial dyskinesia, tic Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions : stillbirth Renal and urinary disorders : glomerulonephritis Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders : acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)
⚠️ Warnings & Precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Somnolence: Somnolence, fatigue, and asthenia have been reported with use of XYZAL in some patients in clinical trials. Avoid engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness such as driving or operating machinery when taking XYZAL. Avoid concurrent use of alcohol or other central nervous system depressants with XYZAL. ( 5.1 ) Urinary Retention: Urinary retention has been reported with use of XYZAL. Use with caution in patients with predisposing factors of urinary retention (e.g. spinal cord lesion, prostatic hyperplasia). Discontinue XYZAL if urinary retention occurs. ( 5.2 ) Risk of New Onset Pruritus After Discontinuation of XYZAL: New onset pruritus within a few days after discontinuation of XYZAL has been reported, usually after long-term use (e.g., few months to years) of XYZAL. Symptoms may improve with restarting or tapering XYZAL ( 5.3 ). 5.1 Somnolence In clinical trials the occurrence of somnolence, fatigue, and asthenia has been reported in some patients under therapy with XYZAL. Patients should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness, and motor coordination such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle after ingestion of XYZAL. Concurrent use of XYZAL with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants should be avoided because additional reductions in alertness and additional impairment of central nervous system performance may occur. 5.2 Urinary Retention Urinary retention has been reported post marketing with XYZAL. XYZAL should be used with caution in patients with predisposing factors of urinary retention (e.g. spinal cord lesion, prostatic hyperplasia) as XYZAL may increase the risk of urinary retention. Discontinue XYZAL if urinary retention occurs. 5.3 Risk of New Onset Pruritus After Discontinuation of XYZAL Cases of pruritus after discontinuation of XYZAL have been reported in the postmarketing setting in patients where pruritus was not present before initiation of XYZAL. Pruritus occurred within a few days of discontinuing XYZAL among patients who used XYZAL long-term (e.g., few months to years). Reported cases of pruritus were infrequent, but some were serious with patients experiencing widespread severe pruritus [See Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . If pruritus occurs after discontinuation of XYZAL, symptoms may improve with restarting or tapering XYZAL.
🔄 Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS In vitro data indicate that levocetirizine is unlikely to produce pharmacokinetic interactions through inhibition or induction of liver drug-metabolizing enzymes. No in vivo drug-drug interaction studies have been performed with levocetirizine. Drug interaction studies have been performed with racemic cetirizine. 7.1 Antipyrine, Azithromycin, Cimetidine, Erythromycin, Ketoconazole, Theophylline, and Pseudoephedrine Pharmacokinetic interaction studies performed with racemic cetirizine demonstrated that cetirizine did not interact with antipyrine, pseudoephedrine, erythromycin, azithromycin, ketoconazole, and cimetidine. There was a small decrease (~16%) in the clearance of cetirizine caused by a 400 mg dose of theophylline. It is possible that higher theophylline doses could have a greater effect. 7.2 Ritonavir Ritonavir increased the plasma AUC of cetirizine by about 42% accompanied by an increase in half-life (53%) and a decrease in clearance (29%) of cetirizine. The disposition of ritonavir was not altered by concomitant cetirizine administration.
🚫 Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS The use of XYZAL is contraindicated in: Patients with a known hypersensitivity to levocetirizine or any of the ingredients of XYZAL or to cetirizine ( 4.1 ) Patients with end-stage renal disease at less than 10 mL/min creatinine clearance or patients undergoing hemodialysis ( 4.2 ) Children 6 months to 11 years of age with renal impairment ( 4.3 ) 4.1 Patients with Known Hypersensitivity Patients with known hypersensitivity to levocetirizine or any of the ingredients of XYZAL, or to cetirizine. Observed reactions range from urticaria to anaphylaxis [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ) ] . 4.2 Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Patients with end-stage renal disease (CL CR <10 mL/min) and patients undergoing hemodialysis 4.3 Pediatric Patients with Impaired Renal Function Children 6 months to 11 years of age with impaired renal function
📦 Storage & Handling
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING XYZAL tablets are white, film-coated, oval-shaped, scored, imprinted (with the letter Y in red color on both halves of the scored tablet) and contain 5 mg levocetirizine dihydrochloride. They are supplied in unit of use HDPE bottles. 90 Tablets (NDC 0024-5803-90) XYZAL oral solution is a clear, colorless liquid containing 0.5 mg of levocetirizine dihydrochloride per mL. Oral Solution in 5 oz polypropylene bottles (NDC 0024-5804-05) Storage Store at 20ºC to 25ºC (68ºF to 77ºF); excursions permitted to 15ºC to 30ºC (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].