Philippines
A 23-year-old male asked:
What's the advantage of levocetirizine over cetirizine for pediatrics with allergic rhinitis?
4 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in
Dr. Alvin Linanswered
Geriatrics 31 years experience
None: There is no outcome benefit to levocetirizine (xyzal) over Cetirizine (zyrtec). Levocetirizine is just the left mirror image of the chemical while Cetirizine contains both right & left halves. In theory, for this chemical, the left half is supposed to be the active molecule but in real life, it's doubtful anyone can really tell the difference. More likely than not, levocetirizine is more expensive.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Lee Perryanswered
Allergy and Immunology 18 years experience
None really: Possibly less sedation, otherwise no advantages.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Yash Khannaanswered
Family Medicine 58 years experience
Both are effective: Levocetrizine is third generation non sedative antihistamine developed from cetirizine which is second generation.It is claimed to be more effective and with fewer side effects than cetirizine.But there are no published studies to support that
In my opinion they are both effectice and cetrizine is available over the counter and is cheaper and as effective as levocetrizine
There is no advantage
3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Katharine Coxanswered
Pediatric Emergency Medicine 46 years experience
None: There are no published articles that show one has an advantage over the other. You might want to do your own trial. All the best.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Apr 26, 2018
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