Drug interactions
Levocetirizine + Ritonavir
Severity: Minor
Levocetirizine and Ritonavir: minor interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Ritonavir has been reported to modestly increase levocetirizine exposure and prolong its half-life, probably by affecting renal elimination. Because levocetirizine has a wide margin of safety and is little metabolized, the effect is generally small.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levocetirizine and Ritonavir have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Levocetirizine belongs to Respiratory; Ritonavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Possible reduced renal tubular secretion or transporter inhibition by ritonavir raising levocetirizine levels.
What to do
No dose change is normally needed; monitor for increased drowsiness, and reduce dose in renal impairment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Levocetirizine and Ritonavir, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
References
- levocetirizine dihydrochloride - FDA drug label (DailyMed) — openFDA / DailyMed
Other interactions of Levocetirizine
Other interactions of Ritonavir
- Alfuzosin + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Ritonavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levocetirizine with Ritonavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Levocetirizine and Ritonavir have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Ritonavir has been reported to modestly increase levocetirizine exposure and prolong its half-life, probably by affecting renal elimination. Because levocetirizine has a wide margin of safety and is little metabolized, the effect is generally small.
How serious is the interaction between Levocetirizine and Ritonavir?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No dose change is normally needed; monitor for increased drowsiness, and reduce dose in renal impairment.
What other medicines interact with Levocetirizine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levocetirizine with, for example, Acrivastine, Asenapine transdermal, Avapritinib. The full list is on the Levocetirizine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
