Learn About the Role of Histamines

Allergies are an overreaction by your immune system to generally harmless things like pollen, dust mites, and ragweed. Let's say you're allergic to dust or pollen and you come into contact with it. Your immune system will send out a chemical substance called histamine in response to these allergens.

Did you know?

The active component of XYZAL has a 2-fold greater affinity for the human H₁ receptor (histamine) than that of the active compound in medications like ZYRTEC^®.

The clinical relevance of this finding is unknown.

Once released, histamine attaches to histamine receptors on the surface of your cells and triggers a series of events that leads to your nasal allergy symptoms—that's what causes the sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes of an allergy attack.

XYZAL works by blocking histamine from attaching to many of the histamine receptors. The fewer receptors are available, the less histamine can attach and trigger symptoms. By blocking histamine from attaching to certain cells, XYZAL relieves your nasal allergy symptoms.

Important Safety Information

Do not take XYZAL if you are allergic to XYZAL, cetirizine or ZYRTEC^®. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Children 6 months to 11 years of age with impaired kidney function should not take XYZAL. Patients taking XYZAL should avoid operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Taking XYZAL with alcohol or sedatives should be avoided. Take XYZAL at bedtime. Do not increase the dose due to increased risk of sleepiness.

In patients 12 years of age and older, side effects may include sleepiness, tiredness, sore throat and dry mouth. In children 6-12 years of age, side effects may include fever, cough, sleepiness and nose bleeds. In children 1-5 years of age, side effects may include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and ear infections. In children 6 months to 11 months of age, side effects may include diarrhea and constipation.

Indications

XYZAL is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of year round allergies, as well as a treatment for chronic hives and rashes of unknown cause (also known as chronic idiopathic urticaria) in patients 6 months of age and older, and symptoms of seasonal allergies in patients 2 years of age and older.