The Sound of Evolution
Levocetirizine
Mechanism of action:
Levocetirizine is a second-generation H1 receptor antagonist and is the R-enantiomer of cetirizine. Levocetirizine competitively binds to H1 receptors in peripheral tissues and inhibits histamine from binding to its receptor, thereby reducing histamine-induced allergic responses.
Reference(s):
1. Benedetti MS et al. (2001). Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of [14C]levocetirizine, the R enantiomer of cetirizine, in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol.
2. Mosges R et al. (2011). The effectiveness of levocetirizine in comparison with loratadine in treatment of allergic rhinitis--a meta-analysis. Allergol Int.
3. Desager JP et al. (1995). Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships of H1-antihistamines. Clin Pharmacokinet.