Xyzal: A New Antihistamine Approved by the FDA
Thursday May 31, 2007
On May 30, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xyzal, an antihistamine, for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria in people age 6 years and older. This medication has been available in Europe for the past 6 years, and is very similar to Zyrtec in how it works.
This is a very exciting development, as Xyzal is the first new oral antihistamine approved by the FDA in a number of years. Xyzal gives people with severe allergies another treatment option to combat their symptoms. Because Xyzal has a similar chemical structure to Zyrtec, it is expected that this medication will work at least as well as Zyrtec. And, Xyzal causes less sleepiness than Zyrtec.
Xyzal will be available only by prescription, and should be in pharmacies in the United States within the next few months.
Learn more about antihistamines in the treatment of allergies.
Comments
After 30 years of suffering from chronic idiopathic urticaria,I know that XYZAL is a wonder drug. My hives and angio edema have all but gone away. Thank you.
um…xyzal and zyrtec are the same chemical compound, xyzal is simply the optically pure form of the active enantiomer
I have to agree with Ron. There is something different about XYZAL. My hives and associated skin issues have reacted very quickly to this drug. My skin is clearing up daily with continued use. I’m happy! PS I have tried them all!
I took this xyzal one nite and was still sleepy the very next day,,i dislike it
Angio-edema came on mysteriously a few months ago…I tried Allegra – no relief, then Xyzal – worked but expensive even with insurance, then anther MD recommended Zyrtec (otc at Costco) – very cheap but I experienced every side effect listed on the label, now back to Xyzal. I took it for a week, 5mg daily, now I’m off for a week with no angio-edema (the great experiment!). While Allegra did nothing and Zyrtec caused constant fatigue, muscle cramps(including pecto-muscular chest pains!) and I generally looked like hell, Xyzal seems to work best. So I guess it’s worth the $1+ per day. There are a few lingering side effect – weird light muscle spasm now and then – but it’s a far sight better than the other choices.
Just took my first Xyzal today to replace Zyrtec for chronic urticaria. I hope that you CU sufferers are right and that it helps a lot better!
I have been using Zyrtec with no side affects, but I seem to have built up an immunity to them. My symptoms persist. Got samples of Xyzal from the Doctor, seems to help but I am very groggy and lethargic during the day. This is my third day of taking them. Not sure what to do!!
Xyzal,
For about 6 weeks I was suffering from (I swear this is true) some kind of invisible rash. This no-see-um malady caused itching during the night that made me scratch until I bled. The front of my left left is still scarred somewhat from this furious scratching. I used every Aveeno product and then switched to Hydrocortisone cream. As long as I slathered that stuff all over my body 3-4 times a day it was tolerable, except for sticking to the sheets at night. One scrip of Xyzal 5 mg last Friday and now on Monday I have absolutely no itching. It stopped Saturday after only 2 doses. It might be expensive but so is a night’s sleep lost to scratching. I think it’s a 5 Star product.
Been using xyzal for 5 days now first three days worked realy well now its working for half a day then dripping nose comes back and itching eyes, and I am getting stomach problems from it, lay awake at night. Did take it last night with some food that helped a bit and stomach pain was not as severe.