Levocetirizine for Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria:A Review
March 2009 | Volume 8 | Issue 3 | Original Article | 243 | Copyright © March 2009
Erin E. Ducharme MD, Jeffrey M. Weinberg MD
Abstract
Only recently available on the US market, levocetirizine has emerged as an effective new option in the treatment of chronic idiopathic
urticaria (CIU). Levocetirizine is the active isomer of cetirizine and demonstrates twice the affinity for the H1 receptor compared with
the parent compound. In the treatment of CIU, levocetirizine has consistently demonstrated high response rates, fast onset, and a
favorable side effect profile. 
