Aleron
Aleron: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Application during pregnancy and lactation
- 10. Use in childhood
- 11. In case of impaired renal function
- 12. For violations of liver function
- 13. Use in the elderly
- 14. Drug interactions
- 15. Analogs
- 16. Terms and conditions of storage
- 17. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 18. Reviews
- 19. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Aleron
ATX code: R06AE09
Active ingredient: levocetirizine hydrochloride (levocetirizine hydrochloride)
Producer: Emcure Pharmaceuticals (India)
Description and photo update: 2019-26-08
Aleron is a third generation anthistamine agent used to treat acute and chronic allergies.
Release form and composition
Aleron is produced in coated tablets (in blisters of 10 pieces, in a cardboard box of 1 or 3 blisters).
The active ingredient of the drug is levocetirizine (R is the enantiomer of cetirizine, an active derivative of hydroxyzine).
1 coated tablet contains: levocetirizine dihydrochloride - 5 mg, excipients, including lactose monohydrate.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
Aleron is an anti-allergic agent from the group of third generation antihistamines. Its active ingredient is levocetirizine hydrochloride - the R-enantiomer of cetirizine, which is an active derivative of hydroxyzine. Has a pronounced antihistamine activity. It has anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-exudative and antipruritic effects.
The mechanism of action of levocetirizine is due to its ability to block peripheral H 1 -histamine receptors and prevent the release of histamine by stabilizing mast cell membranes.
The drug has a high selectivity for H 1 -histamine receptors. In their relation, levocetirizine has a pronounced blocking effect, while it does not affect serotonin, M-cholinergic and adrenergic receptors.
In comparison with cetirizine, half of levocetirizine is required to achieve a therapeutic effect, which is explained by its ability to form a more stable connection with receptors.
Aleron also helps to reduce the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, reduces chemotaxis and adhesion of eosinophils, the expression of adhesion molecules. Reduces IgE-dependent release of histamine, leukotriene C4 and prostaglandin D2. Inhibits cutaneous platelet-activating factor.
Due to this effect on the human body, levocetirizine facilitates the course of various allergic diseases (including allergic rhinitis). With seasonal allergies, Aleron can be used as a prophylactic agent to prevent the development of allergic phenomena. The efficacy of levocetirizine in treating cold urticaria and attacks of bronchial asthma was also noted.
Levocetirizine does not have a toxic effect on the heart. Unlike antiallergic drugs of previous generations, it does not have a depressing effect on the central nervous system.
Pharmacokinetics
After oral administration, levocetirizine is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Food intake has almost no effect on the degree of absorption of the drug, but somewhat reduces its rate.
Levocetirizine is characterized by a high bioavailability - up to 100% and a connection with plasma proteins - up to 90%. The maximum plasma concentration reaches 0.9–1 hours after taking Aleron. Penetrates into breast milk.
The cytochrome P 450 system is not involved in the metabolism of levocetirizine. An insignificant part of the drug is metabolized in the liver by O-dealkylation with the formation of an inactive metabolite.
Excretion is carried out mainly by the kidneys (up to 86% of the taken dose of Aleron) and only a small part is excreted through the intestines (about 13%). The half-life is 7–10 hours, the drug is completely excreted from the body within 96 hours. In patients with impaired renal function (creatinine clearance <40 ml / min), the rate of drug elimination decreases and its plasma concentration increases. With hemodialysis, approximately 10% of levocetirizine is excreted.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, Aleron is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of diseases caused by various allergens (food, insect bites, dust, animal hair, pollen, etc.):
- Rhinitis and conjunctivitis, both seasonal and year-round;
- Urticaria, including chronic idiopathic
- Angioneurotic (Quincke) edema;
- Eczema of various etiologies;
- Hay fever;
- Dermatoses of an allergic nature, accompanied by burning, itching, rash on the skin and mucous membranes.
The drug is used in the complex therapy of bronchial asthma of an infectious-allergic nature, and is also introduced into the treatment regimen with medicines with an increased danger of allergization: antibiotics, serums, vaccines.
Contraindications
- Galactose intolerance, impaired absorption of glucose / galactose;
- Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <10 ml / min);
- Children under 6 years old;
- Hypersensitivity to any component of Aleron tablets or piperazine derivatives.
The drug should be used with caution during pregnancy, provided that the benefits to the mother exceed the expected risk to the fetus. If it is necessary to take the drug during lactation, breastfeeding is stopped.
Caution requires the use of Aleron by elderly patients.
Instructions for use of Aleron: method and dosage
Aleron tablets are used to treat adults and children from 6 years old.
Take 1 tablet once a day, orally. The daily dose of the drug for adults is no more than 2 tablets (or 10 mg).
The tablet is swallowed without chewing and drinking water in sufficient quantity, regardless of the meal.
The duration of the course of treatment and the dosage are prescribed by the attending physician, depending on the nature of the disease.
The duration of therapy for various diseases can vary from one week to six months.
Dose adjustment is required in patients with renal insufficiency.
Side effects
Aleron's use rarely causes side effects in patients. But in some cases, the following reactions of the body to levocetirizine were noted:
- Central nervous system - dizziness, headaches, fatigue, insomnia or drowsiness, blurred vision;
- Digestive tract - pain in the epigastric region, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, increased appetite, changes in the biochemistry of liver function tests;
- Cardiovascular system - tachycardia, nosebleeds.
Overdose
When taking doses of Aleron exceeding the recommended ones, the patients experienced drowsiness or overexcitement, followed by drowsiness.
The specific antidote to levocetirizine has not yet been established. Gastric lavage and intake of activated charcoal are recommended. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are ineffective. If necessary, symptomatic therapy is performed.
special instructions
During the period of taking Aleron, it is recommended to refrain from taking alcoholic beverages.
Influence on the ability to drive vehicles and complex mechanisms
During treatment with the drug, you should not perform potentially dangerous types of work, including driving a car and controlling complex mechanisms.
Application during pregnancy and lactation
There are no data on the safety of using levocetirizine during pregnancy. Aleron can be prescribed by a doctor if the expected benefit of therapy for a woman outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
The drug passes into breast milk, therefore, breastfeeding should be temporarily discontinued if taking Aleron during lactation is clinically justified.
Pediatric use
Aleron is contraindicated for use in children under 6 years of age due to the lack of data on its safety and efficacy in young patients.
With impaired renal function
The drug should not be taken in patients with severe forms of renal failure (with creatinine clearance <10 ml / min).
For violations of liver function
Aleron dose adjustment is not required for patients with impaired hepatic function.
Use in the elderly
In old age, the drug should be used with caution.
Drug interactions
With the simultaneous use of drugs that are metabolized with the participation of the cytochrome P 450 system (for example, ketoconazole, diazepam, azithromycin or erythromycin), no interaction was detected, however, theophylline with repeated administration reduced the clearance of levocetirizine.
Aleron is not recommended to be taken in combination with sedatives.
Levocetirizine does not affect the effect of ethanol.
Analogs
Aleron's analogs are: Ksizal, Suprastinex, Cetirizin, Letizen, Zodak, Tsetrin, Zyrtec, etc.
Terms and conditions of storage
Aleron should be stored in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight. Storage temperature is not higher than 25 ° C.
Shelf life is 2 years.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Available without a prescription.
Reviews about Aleron
Reviews about Aleron are mostly positive: the drug effectively eliminates the manifestations of allergic diseases, is well tolerated, does not cause drowsiness, and has a convenient schedule of admission (once a day). The disadvantages include a short antiallergic effect, which manifests itself only while taking the pills, after they are canceled, the symptoms of allergy return.
In rare reports, there are complaints about the development of side effects, including fatigue, insomnia, dry mouth.
Some patients consider the cost of the drug affordable, others - relatively high.
Aleron price in pharmacies
Aleron's price starts at 220 rubles, but at the moment the drug is not available for sale. The approximate cost of some popular analogs: Ksizal (5 mg coated tablets) - 310-350 rubles. per package of 7 pcs., 410–485 rubles. per pack of 10 pcs., 560-645 rubles. per pack of 14 pcs.; Suprastinex (5 mg coated tablets) - 230–335 rubles. per pack of 7 pcs., 400–558 rubles. per pack of 14 pcs.
Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
