Xyzal for Urticaria User Reviews
Xyzal has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 43 reviews for the treatment of Urticaria. 72% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 19% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Xyzal
- Win...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 3, 2019
"I have suffered from hives as well as intense itching without rash for 15+ years. It is getting worse with age (I'm 34). Touching random objects, anything laying on or against my extremities, heat, etc. Went to the allergist finally as I thought I was having severe food allergies - they diagnosed me with urticaria, turns out I have no allergies, just 'reactions.' I told them antihistamines have never worked for me, but they said with this condition it may be needed up to 4 times a day. I started with Zyrtec twice a day, which helped, but I was too sleepy. I have been on 1.5 Xyzal am, 1 pm for over a month now and am mostly itch-free for the first time I can remember. Can't believe OTC medication was all I needed for this endless nightmare."
- Lot...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 26, 2020
"I have chronic urticaria that is triggered by fluoroquinolones. Xyzal works almost instantly to calm the pruritus, however, the sleepiness makes me drink five coffees per day to function. Hope I will be able to get off it pretty soon."
Frequently asked questions
- Yus...
- September 2, 2015
"If ever there is an award for the most irritating/embarrassing illness, urticaria would definitely be a contender. Diagnosed with chronic urticaria about a month ago, I suffered immensely (redundancy at play here :). Nothing really worked until a dermatologist prescribed Xyzal about a week ago. I was told to drop all forms of medication - antihistamines and all supplements, among others - and just take Xyzal. Hives acted up on the first two days but I have been free (almost) of hives for five days. Early days, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this will be a permanent solution. I will update."
- cor...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- December 9, 2014
"This medication is excellent! I have had horrible angioedema (a type of urticaria where the hives form under the skin) since I was ten years old from an autoimmune disease and have gone through several different medications, but this one has worked the most effectively. And I can tell how well it works because when I forget to take it, the hives show up within about 12 hours after the missed dose and once I remember to take the missed dose, within about two hours, it feels as though I never had angioedema at all."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- aly...
- June 4, 2017
"I suffered from hives caused by friction, sunlight, temperature change, exercise, and showering for over 10 years, getting increasingly worse as I got older. I hardly had a life -- I couldn't exercise or go outside without breaking out in painful, burning hives. Claritin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl only helped a little. When I was finally prescribed Xyzal by an allergist, my life was changed! As long as I take it every day, I rarely get hives. I still get some if I run or am in the sun without sunscreen, but aside from that, I'm free! I am so thankful for Xyzal, and I am no longer living in fear every day of being ruined by hives. The first few days, I was drowsy, so I take it only at night."
- Anonymous
- August 25, 2011
"I have had hives my entire life. I finally saw an allergist, and he did tests. He took me off of all medicines and put me on Xyzal. I took the Xyzal three times, and I have not had a hive since. Seriously. I had my first hives at 4 months and had hives every day for forty-six years. I do not know what Xyzal did, but it fixed me. I stopped taking Claritin, Benadryl, and Zyrtec. I took Xyzal for three days. It made me VERY sleepy. I can't even take a normal Benadryl dose without falling asleep, though. I had to take liquid Benadryl, one teaspoon, if I wanted to stay awake. I slept twelve hours with my first dose of Xyzal and about 8 hours with the two successive doses. Then, I never had a hive again."
- Jan...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 13, 2019
"I decided to try Xyzal when I was unable to calm the itching I have. A full tablet seemed to really dry me out. I was thrilled to see the tablets are scored! This means that it has the same dose on each side of the score. Much greater experience taking half. Lots of people don't know that is the reason it is scored. Half a Xyzal helps so much! The cost is better when you have twice the dose in a bottle! I'm really glad it's available."
- pat...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 10, 2015
"I broke out in itchy red welts that the doctor first thought were insect bites. It continued even after I stayed indoors. I also have alopecia areata, which is autoimmune. I took Xyzal, and after just 2 days, the itching and welts lessened, and by day 5, I did not form any more welts."
- Est...
- February 23, 2011
"It has been 2 years since I've suffered with chronic hives. Like many on this board, nothing has worked. After a severe outbreak of hives and a visit to my doctor, he put me on Xyzal. I can say I'm about 95% hive-free. I still have some hives, but they're not as many or as large. It is very early with this treatment to say that it will continue this way. But for the first time, I am hopeful. I will return to this forum to give updates."
- Anonymous
- September 8, 2008
"I have suffered from hives for almost a year now. I have tried every antihistamine on the market and was almost about to give up ever finding something that could help relieve the hives. Finally, my doctor put me on Xyzal, and it is the only antihistamine that has ever worked for me. I've tried some other medicines, and none of them seem to do anything. Since I have been on Xyzal, I have hardly had any outbreaks, and if I do, I hardly ever suffer from severe itching and discomfort. I've been taking it every day now for almost 4 months, with no serious side effects. I would recommend that anyone suffering from chronic urticaria try Xyzal."
- Anonymous
- December 4, 2012
"Hives and itchy skin and very bad hand itch that caused me to scratch. I used to get them every other day for 2-3 hours. I used to lock myself in the room and itch and itch and itch then. I was told about Xyzal by my father-in-law. Life is so good with Xyzal. I only wish this medicine were known to more people who suffer from itch and hives that make life so painful. But when medicine like Xyzal is created, it's very good medicine that can cure allergies or itchy skin. I just take one tablet every 2 days and sleep like a baby and feel the best next morning."
- Adi...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 3, 2018
"Xyzal is horrible. I’ve spent the last 4 years of my life suffering due to side effects of antihistamines. These drugs are all the same thing. They make you feel annoyed, depressed, anxious, exhausted, dizzy, and just like absolute garbage! I thought xyzal, being the “newer and better” drug it was marketed to be, would be the miracle to save my life. However, it wasn’t. This drug is just as bad as the rest, possibly even worse. Also, keep in mind that xyzal is no different than Zyrtec. It’s literally just the left half of Zyrtec, the part of it that actually works. It’s the same drug. If Zyrtec sucks for you, xyzal will too. Honestly I’m gonna go back to claritin. It doesn’t stop my hives completely but I am at least not a psychotic depressed maniac on it."
- VMR...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- May 12, 2018
"I developed hives after gallbladder surgery. Benadryl worked on the surface for about 8 months. Then I went to an allergist, and she had me stop all meds for allergies. That night I thought I was going to die. Lips were swollen, eyes were, and I didn't sleep. The next morning, I was back at the doctor and was nebulized in the office for 4 hours. She prescribed Xyzal 10 mg at night, and Singulair in the morning as needed. Worked wonderfully. I can play around with dosage, taking it at night. I can go 1 night without it, and I have to take it the next night. 72 hours without a dosage and I will have a breakout start. Told the doctor that I will take this the rest of my life, and I don't mind."
- Anonymous
- August 16, 2009
"I suffered for a year with urticaria. I tried steroids and several other allergy medications. To no avail. Finally, after seeing many doctors, one gave me Xyzal to try. The first day I took it, I had almost immediate relief. My hives, swelling of joints, and what I called 'attacks' (could not stop sneezing, feeling my throat close, and face start to swell up) all but disappeared. I have been taking Xyzal daily for almost 2 years and have experienced no side effects whatsoever. It gave me my life back."
- Anonymous
- October 7, 2009
"I have had severe chronic hives for a little over a year. So many allergists/immunologists gave me everything, including Xyzal (but once a day combined with other medicines) did very little to help. A dermatologist said to stop all other and take Xyzal in the morning and night, and now my hives are 95% cleared. I'm at a point where I feel the hives are manageable and I can work without the heavy antihistamines that make me so groggy."
- Anonymous
- May 13, 2010
"I have suffered from hives for over 30 years. No medicine helped. I had them for 3 years straight, 24/7. My hives have come back about 4 different times, lasting up to a year. I have been on Xyzal for about 2 months. I take Benadryl, then an hour later I will take the Xyzal. I take Benadryl at bedtime. This is the first time in the 30 years that I feel they are under control. For anyone with chronic hives, it's worth a shot. I have no side effects as of yet. They do not make me tired either."
- Lau...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- June 8, 2023
"I have been taking Xyzal for over five years now and can’t see myself without it. I was diagnosed with dermatographia urticaria at age 14 and it was not manageable with Claritin, Benadryl, or Allegra. A specialist prescribed me Xyzal and I have been taking it ever since. While I’m not usually affected by the drowsiness associated with Benadryl and Xyzal, it definitely shows up with even the slightest use of alcohol or marijuana (legal where I live). One drink for me on Xyzal is comparable to 5+ for someone not taking it. The drowsiness from interaction and its lack of access in Canada are my only complaints. I’ve had to order it online from Amazon since moving here, as no pharmacies here carry it. I would strongly recommend it to anyone with dermatographia urticaria. I will say I still need to use Allegra in addition on days where I’m exposed to lots of dust or other common allergens but still experience minimal hives on those days."
- MLB...
- June 25, 2009
"I have had chronic hives for a year and a half. It's awful. I have been taking Xyzal for almost a year now. Xyzal works to eliminate the itching and rashes, but it makes me very tired. If I take it during the day, I feel tired. If I take it before bed, I have difficulty waking up and getting started. It also makes me feel down, just not myself. I have not found anything better to help with my rash outbreaks, so I do continue to use it."
- Sic...
- January 22, 2011
"I have been suffering with autoimmune chronic urticaria with angioedema since August 2010. I am so over these hives. I was also diagnosed with a mild case of (ITP) idiopathic thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) in August as well. Since then, I have been on a roller coaster with these hives. One day I am hive-free, the next day I wake up with swollen lips, then a few days later my arms, back, and legs are covered in hives. Since August, I have been on Benadryl, Atarax, Singulair, Zantac, Zyrtec, Claritin, methylprednisolone, just to name a few. A few days ago, I looked on the internet and saw Xyzal. I immediately called my allergist and asked for it. I couldn't believe that it was $113.99 for 30 tabs. It was worth a try. Today is day number three on the medication, and I do notice a big difference. I still have a few hives here and there, but overall, it is a lifesaver to me. I have not noticed any major side effects so far. I have been a little drowsy, and I am shocked at that because nothing makes me sleepy. I have a feeling my hubby will have to put this one in the budget!"
- Reb...
- November 30, 2009
"Within two days of starting this drug, my delayed pressure urticaria (DPU) came under control. It controls it so far to about the 95% level. I had a couple of major flare-ups the first day I took it, but I suspect the levels had not built up in my blood yet. I have had one headache, but unknown if this drug caused it. My allergies are also under control. The urticaria still appears a little, but much less in size, scope, and no itching or raised welts. No feelings of tiredness for me, in fact, it kind of speeds me up. I'm amazed that a cousin of Zyrtec can do so much more. Zyrtec didn't touch the hives before, even when taking up to triple the normal daily dose. If you have hives, give it a try."
- mst...
- December 3, 2009
"My itchy skin due to psoriasis was reduced by 80% when I started taking Xyzal. Nothing I have taken over the years has come close. It doesn't make me sleepy like Atarax or Benadryl. A great bonus is it works for 24 hours. I'm able to sleep through the night without any annoying itch."
- Sal...
- June 18, 2017
"It has been the only antiallergic that really works for me. I take it every other day. It is just fantastic and so happy that now is over the counter, now I can get the 80 tablets bottle and not deal with insurance and is cheaper than the out of the pocket payment that I used to pay."
- Anonymous
- June 16, 2010
"I started developing an outbreak of rashes all over my body about two years ago. Since then, my GP has prescribed the usual antihistamine, cetirizine, and hydroxyzine. I noticed my rashes didn't subside totally after I took them both, but when I was prescribed Xyzal, I noticed it lowered the inflammation of my skin, and the itchiness level was greatly reduced too. Since then, I have been taking Xyzal together with Atarax, and I find it to be quite effective as a combination. I have been taking Xyzal on a daily basis ever since. My rashes come back sometimes, but I have no choice since there are no newer antihistamines other than Xyzal. My doctor has never prescribed me Allegra."
- Anonymous
- November 20, 2009
"My 16 year old dughter was prescribed this medicine and after two doses became exhausted. She could not remember anything she learned in school. Said it was effortful to walk, although she walked normally. She described herself as feeling like she was in a dream state. I discontinued the drug and within 24 hours she felt normal."
Learn more about Urticaria
Care guides
Symptoms and treatments
More about Xyzal (levocetirizine)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (285)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: antihistamines
- Breastfeeding
- En español
"After 60+ years, my massive hives are gone! I struggled with swollen shut eyes, puffed up lips, swelling on my scalp, and hives anywhere else on my body they wanted to pop up, many times involving an entire limb. No place on my body was unaffected. This tiny 5mg tablet made them totally disappear, within 24 hours. Thank you Lord! Yes, Xyzal makes you sleepy - take 1/2 tablet till you get used to it. I weigh 125# and got used to it in a short time. I never thought any med besides a steroid could ever help me! I was admitted to the hospital with massive hives when I was 21 even! I lost 2 jobs because of absenteeism. I tried every antihistamine available in the US and 1 not approved in the US. I took every med my allergist prescribed. Xyzal is the ONLY one that ever eradicated all my chronic hives. Gone! If you have a serious need for a serious antihistamine that obviously works like no other, start with 1/2 tablet and build up to the whole tablet slowly. You may never need a whole one!"