Home Drug Guide Levocabastine Hydrochloride

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Levocabastine Hydrochloride

Brand Names Livostin

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihistamine, Topical

Pharmacological: Selective H1 antihistamine

FDA Approved Indications

  • Allergic conjunctivitis

Mechanism of Action

Levocabastine is a selective H1 receptor antagonist that blocks histamine from binding to H1 receptors, thereby reducing allergic symptoms.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Apply 1-2 drops into each affected eye twice daily.

Pediatric: Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients under 3 years of age not established; use with caution in children over 3 years as directed by healthcare provider.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustments necessary, but monitor for side effects.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution, no specific dosage adjustments established.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific guidelines established.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid absorption after topical application.

Distribution: Primarily local action in eyes and minimal systemic absorption.

Metabolism: Minimal systemic absorption; possible hepatic metabolism.

Excretion: Excreted mainly in urine and feces, systemic levels are typically low.

Half Life: Approximately 3 hours when systemic absorption occurs.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to levocabastine or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with nasal mucosa fragility or perforation.
  • May cause temporary visual disturbances; avoid driving or operating machinery until cleared.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Ocular stinging or burning (Common)
  • Headache (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Allergic reactions including rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing (Rare)
  • Blurred vision or eye discomfort (Less common)

Drug-Drug Interactions

N/A

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Assess for improvement of allergic conjunctivitis symptoms and for adverse reactions.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for injury due to blurred vision

Implementation: Administer eye drops as prescribed, instruct patient on proper instillation technique, and monitor for adverse reactions.

Evaluation: Evaluate effectiveness by reduction in allergic symptoms and absence of adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Instruct patient to use eye drops exactly as prescribed.
  • Report any signs of allergic reaction or increased eye discomfort.
  • Avoid touching the dropper tip to the eye or other surfaces to prevent contamination.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: No known genetic factors affecting response.

Lab Test Interference: None reported.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Excessive eye irritation, systemic antihistamine effects such as drowsiness.

Treatment: Supportive care; discontinue medication; in case of systemic overdose, seek emergency medical attention.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from light and moisture.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions for the duration of the shelf life.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.