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Livostin (Levocabastine): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

Livostin

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 8/9/2022

Drug Summary

What Is Livostin?

Livostin (levocabastine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine eye drop used to treat symptoms of eye allergies, such as inflammation, itching, watering, and burning. Livostin is no longer available in the U.S., but generic versions may be available.

What Are Side Effects of Livostin?

Common side effects of Livostin include:

  • burning, stinging, itching, or watering of the eyes,
  • eye irritation or discomfort,
  • blurred vision,
  • dry or puffy eyes,
  • headache,
  • nosebleed,
  • nausea, or
  • fatigue

What are the possible side effects of Livostin?

Livostin may cause serious side effects including:

  • hives,
  • difficulty breathing,
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, and
  • burning, stinging, itching, or watering of the eyes,

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Livostin

The recommended dosage of Livostin is 1 drop into affected eye(s), as directed by your doctor. Livostin contains a preservative (benzalkonium chloride), so do not wear contact lenses during treatment.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Livostin?

Livostin may interact with other eye drops. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you take.

Livostin During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Livostin should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Livostin passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Livostin (levocabastine hydrochloride) Side Effects Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for Livostin

LIVOSTIN™ 0.05% (levocabastine hydrochloride ophthalmic suspension) is a selective histamine H1-receptor antagonist for topical ophthalmic use. Each mL contains 0.54 mg levocabastine hydrochloride equivalent to 0.5 mg levocabastine; 0.15 mg benzalkonium chloride; propylene glycol; polysorbate 80; dibasic sodium phosphate, anhydrous; monobasic sodium phosphate, monohydrate; disodium edetate; hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; and purified water. It has a pH of 6.0 to 8.0.

The chemical name for levocabastine hydrochloride is (–)-trans-1-[cis-4-Cyano-4- (p-fluorophenyl)cyclohexyl]-3-methyl-4-phenylisonipecotic acid monohydrochloride, and is represented by the following chemical structure:

LIVOSTIN®  0.05% (levocabastine hydrochloride ophthalmic suspension) Structural Formula Illustration

Uses for Livostin

LIVOSTIN™ 0.05% (levocabastine hydrochloride ophthalmic suspension) is indicated for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.

Dosage for Livostin

SHAKE WELL BEFORE USING. The usual dose is one drop instilled in affected eyes four times per day.

HOW SUPPLIED

LIVOSTIN™ 0.05% (levocabastine hydrochloride ophthalmic suspension), 2.5 mL, 5 mL, and 10 mL is provided in white, polyethylene dropper tip squeeze bottles.

Keep tightly closed when not in use.

Do not use if the suspension has discolored.

Store at controlled room temperature 15°to 30°C (59° to 86°F).

Protect from freezing.

NDC 58768-610-10 (10.0 mL)
NDC 58768-610-05 (5.0 mL)
NDC 58768-610-99 (2.5 mL)

Levocabastine hydrochloride is an original product of Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc.

Mfd. by OMJ Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Germán, P.R., 00683 for: Novartis Ophthalmics, Duluth, GA 30097

Side Effects for Livostin

The most frequent adverse experiences reported with the use of LIVOSTIN™ 0.05% (levocabastine hydrochloride ophthalmic suspension) were mild, transient stinging and burning (29%) and headache (5%).

Other adverse experiences reported in approximately 1-3% of patients treated with LIVOSTIN™ were visual disturbances, dry mouth, fatigue, pharyngitis, eye pain/dryness, somnolence, red eyes, lacrimation/discharge, cough, nausea, rash/erythema, eyelid edema, and dyspnea.

Drug Interactions for Livostin

No information provided.

Warnings for Livostin

For topical use only. Not for injection.

Precautions for Livostin

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Levocabastine was not carcinogenic in male or female rats or in male mice when administered in the diet for up to 24 months. In female mice, levocabastine doses of 5,000 and 21,500 times the maximum recommended ocular human use level resulted in an increased incidence of pituitary gland adenoma and mammary gland adenocarcinoma possibly produced by increased prolactin levels.

The clinical relevance of this finding is unknown with regard to the interspecies differences in prolactin physiology and the very low plasma concentrations of levocabastine following ocular administration.

Mutagenic potential was not demonstrated for levocabastine when tested in Ames' Salmonella reversion test or in Escherichia coli, Drosophila melanogaster, a mouse Dominant Lethal Assay or in rat Micronucleus test.

In reproduction studies in rats, levocabastine showed no effects on fertility at oral doses of 20 mg/kg/day (8,300 times the maximum recommended human ocular dose).

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects - Pregnancy Category C

Levocabastine has been shown to be teratogenic (polydactyly) in rats when given in doses 16,500 times the maximum recommended human ocular dose. Teratogenicity (polydactyly, hydrocephaly, brachygnathia), embryotoxicity, and maternal toxicity were observed in rats at 66,000 times the maximum recommended ocular human dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Levocabastine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers

Based on determinations of levocabastine in breast milk after ophthalmic administration of the drug to one nursing woman, it was calculated that the daily dose of levocabastine in the infant was about 0.5 μg.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 12 have not been established.

Overdose Information for Livostin

No information provided.

Contraindications for Livostin

This product is contraindicated in persons with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of its components. It should not be used while soft contact lenses are being worn.

Clinical Pharmacology for Livostin

Levocabastine is a potent, selective histamine H1-antagonist.

Antigen challenge studies performed two and four hours after initial drug instillation indicated activity was maintained for at least two hours.

In an environmental study, LIVOSTIN™ 0.05% (levocabastine hydrochloride ophthalmic suspension) instilled four times daily was shown to be significantly more effective than its vehicle in reducing ocular itching associated with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. After instillation in the eye, levocabastine is systemically absorbed. However, the amount of systemically absorbed levocabastine after therapeutic ocular doses is low (mean plasma concentrations in the range of 1-2 ng/mL).

Patient Information for Livostin

SHAKE WELL BEFORE USING. To prevent contaminating the dropper tip and suspension, care should be taken not to touch the eyelids or surrounding areas with the dropper tip of the bottle. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use. Do not use if the suspension has discolored. Store at controlled room temperature. Protect from freezing.

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