Introduction
If you rely on Xyzal (Levocetirizine) for allergy relief you may have come across rumors or concerns about its availability. Some people have wondered “Why was Xyzal discontinued?” and whether they need to find an alternative.
The good news? Xyzal has not been completely discontinued! However certain versions formulations or availability in some locations may have changed. In this article we shall explore:
- Whether Xyzal is still available
- Why certain versions may have been discontinued
- What alternatives you can use if you can not find Xyzal
Let’s clear up the confusion!
Is Xyzal Really Discontinued?
The short answer is No Xyzal has not been fully discontinued. However there have been temporary shortages and discontinuations of specific formulations. The most common reasons include:
✅ Manufacturing or Supply Issues – Production delays sometimes lead to short term shortages.
✅ Regulatory Changes – Some formulations may no longer meet new health regulations.
✅ Low Market Demand – Less popular forms of the drug may be phased out.
✅ Patent Expiration & Generics – When generics become available brand name drugs sometimes lose popularity.
While brand name Xyzal is still widely available some users have reported difficulty finding certain versions in stores.
What Xyzal Products Have Been Affected?
While Xyzal’s 5mg and 2.5mg oral tablets and liquid formulations are still on the market some versions have been harder to find. Here are a few notable cases:
1. Xyzal Brand Name Tablets & Liquid
✅ Still available in most regions
✅ May be temporarily out of stock due to supply chain delays
✅ Generic Levocetirizine is now widely available leading some stores to carry only generics
2. Prescription Xyzal (Before It Became OTC)
✅ Originally Xyzal was a prescription only medication
✅ After going over the counter (OTC) prescription sales dropped
✅ Some prescription strength versions were discontinued due to low demand
3. Xyzal Syrup for Children
✅ Still available but some pharmacies have stopped stocking it
✅ Alternative liquid antihistamines (like Children’s Zyrtec) may be more commonly found
4. Xyzal in Certain Countries
✅ Some countries have removed Xyzal from shelves due to regulatory reasons
✅ Availability depends on local drug laws and approvals
📌 If you can not find Xyzal try checking with different pharmacies or looking for its generic version Levocetirizine.
Why Do Some Medications Get Discontinued?
To understand why certain Xyzal formulations may no longer be available it is important to look at the common reasons why medications get discontinued:
1. Patent Expiration & Generic Competition
📌 Xyzal’s patent expired leading to the rise of cheaper generic versions. 📌 Some brand name drugs are discontinued after generics become more popular.
2. Sales & Market Demand
📌 If a drug is not selling well manufacturers may decide to stop making it. 📌 Xyzal competes with Zyrtec Claritin and Allegra which may have better sales in some markets.
3. Regulatory or Safety Concerns
📌 If a drug fails new safety tests or regulations change certain formulations may be removed from the market. 📌 Xyzal however has not been recalled for safety reasons.
4. Manufacturing Problems
📌 Ingredient shortages factory shutdowns or production issues can cause temporary unavailability. 📌 COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions have affected drug availability worldwide.
What Can You Use Instead of Xyzal?
If you can not find Xyzal there are several alternative antihistamines you can try. Here is a comparison:
| Medication | Active Ingredient | Drowsiness Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xyzal | Levocetirizine | Low to Moderate | Strong allergy relief |
| Zyrtec | Cetirizine | Low to Moderate | General allergies |
| Claritin | Loratadine | Very Low | Daytime allergies |
| Allegra | Fexofenadine | None | Non-drowsy relief |
| Benadryl | Diphenhydramine | High | Nighttime relief |
✅ If Xyzal is not available try Zyrtec which has a similar formula. ✅ If you need a non-drowsy option Claritin or Allegra may be better. ✅ For severe allergies Benadryl works well but causes drowsiness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Xyzal still available?
Yes Xyzal is still sold in most countries. However some formulations may be harder to find.
Q2: Why can not I find Xyzal at my pharmacy?
Some stores may not carry Xyzal due to supply chain issues lower demand or generic alternatives.
Q3: Is Xyzal being discontinued permanently?
No Xyzal is still being produced and sold. Only some versions have been discontinued.
Q4: Should I switch to a different allergy medication?
If you can not find Xyzal try Zyrtec (Cetirizine) which has similar effects.
Q5: Is there a difference between Xyzal and generic Levocetirizine?
No generic Levocetirizine works the same way but may be cheaper.
Conclusion
Xyzal has not been completely discontinued but some versions may be harder to find due to market demand generic competition or supply chain issues.
If you rely on Xyzal but can not find it consider switching to Zyrtec or another antihistamine with similar effects. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist if you need help choosing the right allergy medication.
Have you had trouble finding Xyzal? Let us know in the comments below!