L 5 Capsule belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines. It is used to treat various allergic conditions such as hay fever, conjunctivitis, some skin reactions such as eczema, hives, and reactions to bites and stings. It also relieves watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and itching.
L 5 Capsule can be taken with or without food. The dose required by you may vary depending on what you are taking it for. This medicine is usually taken in the evening, but follow the advice of your doctor on how to take it. You may need this medicine only on days you have symptoms, but if you are taking it to prevent the symptoms then you should take it regularly. If you miss doses or stop taking it earlier than advised, your symptoms may come back.
Common side effects include somnolence (sleepiness), dry mouth, fatigue, fever, cough, nasopharyngitis, and nosebleed. These are usually mild and go away after a couple of days as your body adjusts to it. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects persist or worry you.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have any kidney problems or epilepsy (seizures). Your dose may need to be modified or this medicine may not suit you. Some other medicines can interact with this medicine so let your healthcare team know what else you are taking. You should also talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, although it is not thought to be harmful.
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of L 5
Sleepiness
Fatigue
Dryness in mouth
Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages)
Sore throat
Fever
Cough
Nosebleeds
How to use L 5 Capsule
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. L 5 Capsule may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How L 5 Capsule works
L 5 Capsule is an antihistaminic medication. It treats allergy symptoms such as itching, swelling, and rashes by blocking the effects of a chemical messenger (histamine) in the body.
Safety advice
Alcohol
UNSAFE
L 5 Capsule may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
L 5 Capsule may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
L 5 Capsule is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby. Larger doses or more prolonged use of L 5 Capsule may cause drowsiness and other effects in the baby or decrease the milk supply
Driving
UNSAFE
L 5 Capsule may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
L 5 Capsule should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of L 5 Capsule may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
L 5 Capsule is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment of L 5 Capsule is recommended.
What if you forget to take L 5 Capsule?
If you miss a dose of L 5 Capsule, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
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Ive got tested for hiv after 4 months of possible exposure (not sure if partner was +ve and sex was with condom) and results were negative and its been 6 months till date after the possible exposure now i was suffering from blocked nose wnd difficulty in breathing so i went to a chest specialist and was given total ige" test and the report came +ve with very highly elevated ige levels about 2000 ku/l is there anything to worry and is there any relation between total ige levels and hiv im very stressed once again please help."
Dr. Sunil Sekhri
Diabetology
IgE levels indicate that the conditions is allergic
No, L 5 Capsule is not a steroid. It is an anti-allergic medication which is used to relieve the symptoms of allergy. It relieves runny nose, sneezing and redness, itching and watering of the eyes caused by hay fever or seasonal allergies. It also relieves similar symptoms caused due to allergies to substances, such as dust mites, animal dander and mold. Additionally, it is helpful in treating symptoms of hives, including itching and rash.
Does L 5 Capsule make you tired and drowsy?
Yes, L 5 Capsule can make you feel tired, sleepy and weak. If you have these symptoms, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. Consult your doctor if not sure.
How long does it take for L 5 Capsule to work?
L 5 Capsule starts working and showing improvement within an hour of taking it. However, it may take a little longer to notice the full benefits.
Can I take L 5 Capsule and Fexofenadine together?
Sometimes the doctor may advise you to take two different antihistamines together if you are being treated for a severe itchy rash. If you are taking L 5 Capsule during the daytime, your doctor may prescribe another antihistamine for the night which causes sleepiness, especially if the itch makes it difficult for you to sleep.
Is it safe to take L 5 Capsule for a long time?
L 5 Capsule is safe if used as prescribed by your doctor. Moreover, it is unlikely to harm you if you take it for a long time. But, it is best to take L 5 Capsule for only as long as you need it.
For how long should I continue L 5 Capsule?
The duration for which the medicine needs to be taken depends on the problem being treated. For instance, if you are taking it for an insect bite, you may need it for a day or two. While, if you are taking it to prevent symptoms of chronic allergic rhinitis (inflammation of nose) or chronic urticaria, you may need to take L 5 Capsule for a longer time. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure about the duration of using L 5 Capsule
Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.
References
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. p. 790.
Levocitrizine. Slough, Berkshire: UCB Pharma Limited; 2007 [revised 27 Mar. 2019]. [Accessed 01 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
Levocitrizine; 1995 [revised May 2007]. [Accessed 01 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 01 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
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