Levocabastine
Indications
Registered South African indications:
- Allergic rhinitis
Cautions
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
Cautions
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Renal impairment
Adult dosage
Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: nas
Seasonal allergic rhinitis
- Nasal (nas): 2 actuations per nostril, 12hrly; Max duration: 8 weeks
Paediatric dosage
Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: nas
Allergic rhinitis
Younger than 6 months
- Not established for use
Between 6 months-5 years
- Nasal (nas): 1 actuation per nostril, 12hrly; Max duration: 4 weeks
Older than 5 years
- See adult dosage
Special populations
Pregnancy
- Caution
- In some animal reproduction studies, adverse events were observed when using oral doses much larger than the equivalent maximum human nasal dose
Breastfeeding
- Caution
- Small amounts of levocabastine was found in human breast milk following intranasal application. Caution should be exercised when using levocabastine to breastfeeding women
Renal Impairment
Hepatic Impairment
Elderly
Porphyria Information
Drugs in Sport
-
Permitted - No warnings
Adverse reactions
Central Nervous System Disorders
- Headache
- Somnolence
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Cardiovascular Disorders
- Tachycardia
Respiratory Disorders
- Pharyngolaryngeal pain
- Epistaxis
- Cough
- Nasal discomfort
- Nasal congestion
- Bronchospasm
- Dyspnoea
- Nasal oedema
- Sinusitis
Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Nausea
Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders
- Hypersensitivity
Interactions
- Alcohol
- Oxymetazoline
Monitoring
None routine
Mechanism of action
Levocabastine is a potent, selective histamine H1-receptor antagonist. Binding to the receptor prevents responses mediated by histamine. Levocabastine also serves as a neurotensin agonist, thereby inducing some degree of analgesia.
Dosage forms
- Nasal spray
Formulation
Nasal spray (per spray) 0.5mg
- Sinumax Allergy Nasal Spray (Janssen) originator
Also available in the following form: Eye drop
References
1. SAMF_12th Edition_Page 541+543+585 2. PI: Sinumax Allergy Nasal Spray, Janssen Pharmaceutica (Pty) Ltd:Date of registration: 26 Oct 2012 [https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1LXQUB6HBzqQczI8O5ocwh1s7aLVUzSwJ] 3. PI: Zyrtec Nasal Spray, Johnson & Johnson:Date of registration: 27 Aug 2014 [https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1LXQUB6HBzqQczI8O5ocwh1s7aLVUzSwJ] 4. UpToDate_Levocabastine (nasal; date accessed: 20 Dec 2018 [https://www.uptodate.com/contents/levocabastine-nasal-united-states-not-available-drug-information] 5. NAPOS The Drug Database for Acute Porphyria: R01AC02 Levocabastine; Accessed online 20 Dec 2018 [http://www.drugs-porphyria.org/languages/UnitedKingdom/s3.php?atc_code=R01AC02&l=gbr] 6. South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport; Sinumax allergy nasal spray; Accessed online 20 Dec 2018 [http://www.drugfreesport.org.za/online-medication-check/] *No SPC available
Brands & products
2 products · stale NAPPI snapshot · refreshed 5/29/2026 · 158 days oldsprayGeneric· 1 product
from R15.30/unit| Product | Strength | Pack | Sched | SEP | Unit | Disp fee | NAPPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinumax allergy n.s. 15ml | - mg/ml | 15 | S2 | R229.44 | R15.30 | R88.33 | 839965001 |
dropsGeneric· 1 product
from R92.04/unit| Product | Strength | Pack | Sched | SEP | Unit | Disp fee | NAPPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livostin e.d. | - mg/ml | 4 | S2 | R368.15 | R92.04 | R126.49 | 809896028 |
- Sinumax Allergy Nasal Spray
Medical aid coverage
data not yet integrated- Comprehensive Series—
- Executive Plan—
- KeyCare Series—
- Priority Series—
- Saver Series—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- BonClassic—
- BonComprehensive—
- BonEssential—
- BonFit Select—
- BonSave—
- BonStart—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- Beryl—
- Emerald—
- Onyx—
- Ruby—
- Sapphire—
- Tanzanite One—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.
- Aquarium Option—
- Efficiency Option—
- Marine Option—
Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.