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Last Reply:

What is the difference between Levocetirizine and Cetirizine?

An_243559 posted:

I have been taking levocetirizine and now with my new insurance it isn't covered. Actually they aren't covering any type of allergy medicine. I take it for nasal allergies and hives. I need to find something that works that will be more cost effective. I need to know what the main differences are between levocetirizine and cetirizine to help my make a decision. Please help!

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2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:What is the difference between Levocetirizine and Cetirizine?I have been taking levocetirizine and now with my new insurance it isn't covered. Actually they aren't covering any type of allergy medicine. I take it for nasal allergies and hives. I need to find something that works that will be more cost effective. I need to know what the main differences are between levocetirizine and cetirizine to help my make a decision. Please help!

willpowerchallenged responded:

They are both antihistamines and work pretty much the same way, but levocetrizine seems to be prescribed more frequently for hives (where citirizine works well for nasal allergies).

Insurance companies have stopped covering most allergy medications because of their increasing availability over-the-counter. You may be able to get your insurance company to cover it (or most of it) if you can get your doctor to convince them that it's the only thing working for your condition at this time.

Your doctor can help you norrow down what other medication may be right for you.

Good luck.

Report This| Share this:What is the difference between Levocetirizine and Cetirizine?They are both antihistamines and work pretty much the same way, but levocetrizine seems to be prescribed more frequently for hives (where citirizine works well for nasal allergies). Insurance companies have stopped covering most allergy medications because of their increasing availability over-the-counter. You may be able to get your insurance company to cover it (or most of it) if you can get your doctor to convince them that it's the only thing working for your condition at this time. Your doctor can help you norrow down what other medication may be right for you. Good luck.

Aqua14 responded:

Levocetirizine (Xyzal) is essentially a "purified" form of cetirizine (Zyrtec), which is supposed to take away some of the side effects of Zyrtec. So they're chemically related. My understanding is that the standard adult dosage for Xyzal is 5 mg while the standard adult dosage for Zyrtec is 10 mg.

Hope this helps. Take care & good luck. Judy

It's never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Report This| Share this:What is the difference between Levocetirizine and Cetirizine?Levocetirizine (Xyzal) is essentially a "purified" form of cetirizine (Zyrtec), which is supposed to take away some of the side effects of Zyrtec. So they're chemically related. My understanding is that the standard adult dosage for Xyzal is 5 mg while the standard adult dosage for Zyrtec is 10 mg. Hope this helps. Take care & good luck. Judy

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