Xyzal (levocetirizine), is the active form of Zyrtec (cetirizine), and has been available for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and chronic urticaria (hives) for the past 4 months. Recently, the liquid version of Xyzal was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well by prescription only. This new syrup is currently indicated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria in adults and children (ages 6 years and older). Since Zyrtec syrup has been available for years, and is indicated for children as young as 6 months of age, it should only be a matter of time before Xyzal is also approved for children younger than 6 years of age.

Xyzal syrup will give yet another option for the treatment of children with allergic diseases with low-sedating antihistamines. Other current options include Zyrtec syrup, Allegra (fexofenadine) syrup, Clarinex (desloratadine) syrup, and Claritin (loratadine)syrup. Currently, only Zyrtec syrup and Claritin syrup are available over-the-counter without a prescription. I would suspect that Xyzal syrup will be available by prescription sometime during the spring or summer of 2008.

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