Livocab® nasal spray
What is Livocab® nasal spray?
Livocab® nasal spray is a medicine that is used to treat allergic rhinitis. It is a dosage spray that is sprayed directly into the nose. It can be used in children from one year of age as well as adolescents and adults. It is available from pharmacies without a prescription and can be used for any form of allergy associated with a runny nose. If the symptoms cannot be relieved sufficiently, a consultation with a doctor is recommended. If you have a cold that is not caused by an allergic reaction, Livocab® nasal spray should not be used.
Read more on the subject at: Nasal spray for an allergy
indication
The indications for Livocab® nasal spray are all forms of allergic rhinitis, with hay fever being the most common. Also very common is a house dust allergy due to mite excrement, which in most cases is also associated with an allergic runny nose and can be treated with Livocab® nasal spray. Furthermore, the drug can be indicated in the case of a cold due to an allergy to animal hair.
A mold allergy is an indication for Livocab® nasal spray if there are symptoms on the nose. Another group of possible indications are all work-related allergies that are associated with an allergic runny nose. Allergies in children from one year of age can also be treated with Livocab® nasal spray if there are allergy symptoms on the nose.
This article might also interest you: These drugs help if you have an allergy
hay fever
Hay fever is widespread among the population and can be treated with different drugs such as Livocab® nasal spray. With hay fever, there is an inappropriately strong reaction of the body's own defense system when it comes into contact with grasses or pollen via the air. In this so-called allergic reaction, histamine is usually released in the nose, among other things, which leads to typical symptoms such as runny nose and runny nose.
Read more on the topic: Medicines for hay fever
Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eyes is also common in hay fever. By using Livocab® nasal spray, at least the symptoms of an allergic runny nose can be combated. Hay fever is a seasonal form of allergy, which means that the symptoms are limited to a few months of the year when the responsible plants are in bloom. Livocab® nasal spray therefore only needs to be used during this period if you have hay fever.
If the hay fever affects the eyes, Livocab® eye drops can also be used. Read more about this at: Livocab® eye drops
Active ingredient
The active ingredient in Livocab® nasal spray is called levocabastine hydrochloride. It is a drug from the group of so-called antihistamines of the second generation. If allergy-causing particles such as house dust or pollen reach the nasal mucous membrane via the air, this leads to the release of the body's own messenger substance histamine. This in turn leads to the typical symptoms of an allergic runny nose such as a runny or stuffy nose and frequent sneezing.
The active ingredient in Livocab® nasal spray blocks the effects of histamine on the nasal mucosa. This directly reduces symptoms of the allergy and even completely eliminates them. The designation of levocabastine hydrochloride as an antihistamine of the second generation means that, unlike antihistamines of the first generation, this does not have the side effect typical of the group of making people tired. In contrast to antihistamines in tablet form, the effect of levocabastine hydrochloride in Livocab® nasal spray is limited to the nose, so that, for example, symptoms in the eyes such as tears or burning sensation are not combated.
Read more on the topic: Antihistamines
interaction
An interaction with other drugs is very unlikely when using Livocab® nasal spray. This is due to the fact that the active ingredient works almost exclusively locally on the nasal mucous membrane and only a very small part reaches the bloodstream. There is an exception in patients with severely impaired kidney function. This is where the active ingredient can collect in the blood, as it is normally excreted quickly via the kidneys.
side effect
In most cases, there are no side effects when using Livocab® nasal spray. Occasionally, a slight burning sensation in the nasal mucous membrane occurs temporarily, but this usually subsides after a few minutes. In such a case, only one instead of two puffs of the Livocab® nasal spray should be used the next time.
A hypersensitivity reaction to the active ingredient or other components of the drug occurs much less frequently as a side effect. If you experience pain or swelling of the nasal mucosa or other worrying symptoms after using Livocab® nasal spray, we recommend that you see your doctor as soon as possible.
Find out more about the topic: Epistaxis from nasal spray
dosage
The dosage of Livocab® nasal spray is based on the sprays, which each contain a relatively constant amount of the active ingredient. Regardless of age, the recommended dosage for children from one year of age, adolescents and adults is always two sprays twice a day. It is best to use it in the morning and in the evening and not just when symptoms such as a stuffy nose or runny nose occur.
The maximum dose that is still considered harmless to health and should not be exceeded is eight sprays per nostril per day. Lower values for the recommended and maximum dosage may apply in patients with impaired renal function. In such patients, a doctor should be consulted regarding the appropriate dosage.
Also read the article on the topic: Dependence on nasal spray
price
The price of Livocab® nasal spray depends primarily on the pack size. The smallest amount commercially available is 5ml and usually costs around five euros. A bottle of Livocab® nasal spray with 10ml is available for around ten euros. The next larger amount (15ml) is often only slightly more expensive, so that the purchase of this pack size is worthwhile in most cases. It also makes sense to compare prices. Buying it at the local pharmacy is usually cheaper because you save the shipping costs of an internet pharmacy.
Counter-signs-when should Livocab® nasal spray not be given?
There are two contra-signs when Livocab® nasal spray should not be given. On the one hand, patients with severe renal impairment should not use the drug, as the active ingredient can build up in the blood due to impaired excretion. If the kidney function is impaired, the doctor should decide whether it is still possible to use Livocab® nasal spray or whether it should be avoided. The second contra-sign for use is a known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or other ingredients of Livocab® nasal spray.
Alternatives to Livocab® nasal spray
Livocab® Nasenspray is used to combat allergy symptoms on the nasal mucosa. The best alternative to effectively preventing allergy symptoms is to avoid the trigger, such as cats with a corresponding pet hair allergy. However, it is often not possible to completely avoid the allergen, as is the case with a house dust allergy. A frequently used alternative to Livocab® nasal spray are tablets, which also contain an antihistamine as an active ingredient. In contrast to the nasal spray, with the tablet this is absorbed into the blood via the digestive tract and distributed throughout the body. In addition to the nasal mucosa, the effect can also take place on the eyes, which are often affected by hay fever, among other things.
Find out more about the topic: Antihistamines
In some cases, so-called desensitization is an alternative to Livocab® nasal spray and other allergy medication. With this treatment, which usually takes years, the body gradually gets used to the allergen. If the therapy is successful, you can do without Livocab® nasal spray.
Is it possible to take Livocab® during pregnancy / breastfeeding?
When asking whether it is safe to take or use Livocab® nasal spray during pregnancy, you should seek the advice of your general practitioner or gynecologist. As a rule, however, the use does not pose a problem because the drug only acts locally on the nasal mucosa compared to a tablet, for example, and only a small part is absorbed into the bloodstream. For the same reason, Livocab® nasal spray can usually be used without hesitation while breastfeeding.
Does Livocab affect the effectiveness of the pill?
The effectiveness of the pill is not affected by the use of Livocab® nasal spray. There is neither a delayed nor an accelerated breakdown of the hormones contained in the pill, so that the one contained in the Livocab® nasal spray does not affect the cycle.
Other forms of contraception, such as a hormone coil or three-month injection, are not affected in their effectiveness when Livocab® nasal spray is used at the same time.
