Is it safe to take levocetirizine every day? An in-depth guide

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, allergies affect over 50 million Americans, with many individuals managing symptoms daily. This often involves relying on antihistamines like levocetirizine, but users frequently wonder: Is it safe to take levocetirizine every day? Understanding the long-term safety and risks is crucial for making an informed decision.

Quick Summary

Daily use of levocetirizine for allergies is generally considered safe for most individuals, with manufacturer guidelines supporting regular use for consistent relief. However, long-term use can lead to side effects like drowsiness, and the FDA has warned of rare but severe itching upon discontinuation. People with certain medical conditions, such as kidney problems, should exercise caution and consult a doctor.

Key Points

Generally Safe for Daily Use: For most healthy adults, daily use of levocetirizine as directed is safe and effective for controlling chronic allergy symptoms.
FDA Warning on Discontinuation Itching: The FDA has issued a warning about a rare but severe and widespread itching (pruritus) that can occur after stopping long-term use of levocetirizine.
Potential for Side Effects: Common side effects include drowsiness and dry mouth, while serious side effects like seizures and hallucinations are rare but possible with prolonged or excessive use.
Consult a Doctor for Chronic Use: If you plan to take levocetirizine for more than a few months, you should discuss the benefits and risks with a healthcare professional.
Caution with Kidney Problems: Individuals with kidney issues should not take over-the-counter levocetirizine without a doctor's supervision, as impaired kidney function can cause the medication to build up and increase side effect risks.
Less Sedating Than First-Gen Antihistamines: As a second-generation antihistamine, levocetirizine causes less drowsiness than older options like Benadryl, making it suitable for daytime use for many people.
Not a Cure-All: While effective for symptom relief, it's not a cure, and for persistent or severe symptoms, medical evaluation is key.

Understanding Levocetirizine and Its Function

Levocetirizine, often sold under the brand name Xyzal, is a second-generation antihistamine. It is approved to treat various allergic conditions, including seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and chronic hives (chronic idiopathic urticaria). As an antihistamine, it works by blocking the effects of histamine, a substance the body releases during an allergic reaction. By doing so, it helps to alleviate symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose.

Unlike older, first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), levocetirizine is less likely to cause significant drowsiness because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier as readily. This makes it a preferred option for many individuals who need daytime allergy relief.

Is Daily Use Medically Supported?

For individuals with persistent or chronic allergies, daily use is often necessary to achieve consistent symptom control. Clinical studies have shown levocetirizine to be effective and well-tolerated for periods of 4 to 6 weeks in treating chronic idiopathic urticaria. Manufacturer instructions for products like Xyzal Allergy 24HR also recommend once-daily evening use for continuous relief. However, the safety of use over many months or years should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Potential Side Effects of Daily Levocetirizine

While generally well-tolerated, daily use of levocetirizine can lead to several side effects. It's important to be aware of these potential issues for safe long-term management.

Common Side Effects

Common side effects include drowsiness and fatigue, though less so than older antihistamines. Dry mouth, nose and throat inflammation, and mild gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea or constipation are also reported.

Rare and Serious Adverse Effects

Rarely, more serious effects can occur with long-term or excessive use, such as seizures, hallucinations, depression, low blood pressure, and allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).

FDA Warning on Withdrawal-Related Itching

The FDA has issued a warning regarding severe, widespread itching (pruritus) upon stopping long-term daily use of levocetirizine (and cetirizine). This rare but potentially debilitating side effect has been reported in patients who used the medication daily for several months or years. The itching often starts within days of stopping and may require restarting or tapering the medication to resolve. This risk emphasizes the need for medical advice before stopping chronic use.

Comparison of Daily Antihistamines

Here is a comparison of levocetirizine to other common daily antihistamines based on available information:


Feature	Levocetirizine (Xyzal)	Cetirizine (Zyrtec)	Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Classification	Second-generation (often called third-gen)	Second-generation	Second-generation
Administration Frequency	Typically once daily	Typically once daily	Once or twice daily
Drowsiness Risk	Lower incidence than cetirizine, though still possible	Slightly higher risk than levocetirizine	Low risk of drowsiness
Onset of Action	Typically works faster, within about 1 hour	Rapid relief, often within 1 hour	Takes about 2 hours to work
Best for Hives?	Often preferred for chronic hives	Also effective for hives	Effective for hives
FDA Warning for Discontinuation Itching?	Yes, shared with cetirizine	Yes, shared with levocetirizine	No (based on provided search results)
Relative Cost	Often more expensive than generic cetirizine	Generally more affordable	Varies, but widely available

Who Should Be Cautious About Daily Use?

Certain groups should be more cautious about daily levocetirizine use, including those with kidney problems, as impaired function can lead to medication buildup. Older adults (over 65) may be more sensitive to side effects. Patients with urinary retention and breastfeeding women should also exercise caution.

The Role of Medical Supervision

For persistent allergies, consulting a healthcare provider before starting long-term daily antihistamine use is essential. A doctor can help determine the cause of symptoms, recommend appropriate treatment, advise on administration frequency and timing, and discuss the risks and benefits of long-term therapy, including FDA warnings.

Conclusion

Daily levocetirizine use as directed is generally safe and effective for managing chronic allergy symptoms in most healthy adults. However, long-term use has potential risks, including rare serious side effects and the FDA-warned risk of severe itching upon discontinuation. It is not recommended for individuals with kidney conditions to self-medicate long-term. Always consult a healthcare provider for persistent symptoms or before starting long-term use, and be aware of potential side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

Visit GoodRx for more information on Xyzal

Frequently Asked Questions

The main risk associated with stopping long-term daily use of levocetirizine is a rare but severe itching (pruritus), which the FDA has issued a specific warning about.

While not a common long-term side effect of levocetirizine specifically, chronic use of some antihistamines has been associated with weight gain in studies, possibly due to increased appetite. Newer antihistamines like levocetirizine may have less of this effect, but it is a possibility with long-term use.

Individuals with kidney problems should avoid long-term over-the-counter use without a doctor's guidance, as the drug can accumulate in the body. Older adults may also require adjusted amounts due to increased sensitivity to side effects.

No, it is not recommended to take both medications together. Levocetirizine is a more refined version of cetirizine, and taking both can increase the risk of side effects like drowsiness and dry mouth without providing additional allergy relief.

If you experience severe itching after discontinuing long-term use of levocetirizine, you should contact a healthcare professional. Symptoms may resolve by restarting the medication or tapering off, as advised by your doctor.

Levocetirizine typically works faster than fexofenadine but carries a slightly higher risk of drowsiness. Fexofenadine is known for its very low sedation risk, making it a good daytime option for those sensitive to drowsiness.

Yes, levocetirizine is often preferred by healthcare professionals for chronic hives because it effectively controls symptoms with a lower risk of drowsiness compared to older alternatives. However, long-term use still requires medical supervision.

The typical adult administration is once daily, usually in the evening. For milder symptoms, a lower amount might be sufficient.