A review of the role of levocetirizine as an effective therapy for allergic disease.
BACKGROUND
Levocetirizine is the R-enantiomer of cetirizine dihydrochloride with pharmacodynamically and pharmacokinetically favourable characteristics.


OBJECTIVE
To review the evidence that levocetirizine is an effective therapy for allergic disease.


METHODS
Relevant articles in English or with English abstracts were identified from systematic PubMed searches.


RESULTS
Levocetirizine has high bioavailability, high affinity for and occupancy of the H1 receptor, rapid onset of action, limited distribution and minimal hepatic metabolism. Clinical trials indicate that it is safe and effective for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children with a minimal number of untoward effects. It is also becoming clearer that, in addition to its being a potent antihistamine, levocetirizine has several anti-inflammatory effects that are observed at clinically relevant concentrations that may enhance its therapeutic benefit. Furthermore, there appears to be a growing trend for the use of levocetirizine as long-term therapy in addition to it being used as a treatment for the immediate short-term manifestations of allergic disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Levocetirizine is an effective and safe treatment for use in adults and children with allergic disease.
Walsh
Garry M
GM
University of Aberdeen, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK. g.m.walsh@abdn.ac.uk
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001682:Biological Availability; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014581:Urticaria / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D010879:Piperazines; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1; C472067:levocetirizine; D017332:Cetirizine