Latebreakers: Antihistamine Xyzal now in oral solution

Allergy sufferers taking levocetirizine (Xyzal, Sanofi-Aventis/UCB) may welcome a new formulation of the antihistamine. Levocetirizine oral solution is indicated for the relief of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and for the treatment of uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children six years of age and older. The new product will offer an alternative to patients who cannot swallow the tablet form of the drug. During clinical trials, the most frequently occurring adverse reactions in adults and adolescents were somnolence, nasopharyngitis, fatigue, dry mouth, and pharyngitis. The new oral solution will be available in a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL and is contraindicated for patients with end-stage renal impairment with creatinine clearance less than 10 mL/min, patients undergoing hemodialysis, and pediatric patients aged six to 12 years with impaired renal function.