# Pruritus (itching) - Category: acute - Review status: reviewed (every claim checked against a document named on this page) - Sources: DailyMed SetID 8274ca80-e7d3-4f4f-9901-cc5c589b4fef sections 1 and 2.2, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8274ca80-e7d3-4f4f-9901-cc5c589b4fef · Levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablets US prescribing information, sections 1 and 2 Dosage and Administration (DailyMed SetID 8274ca80-e7d3-4f4f-9901-cc5c589b4fef) · No labelled dose - emollient applied liberally and as often as needed, to effect · SmPC sections 4.2 and 4.4, https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5453/smpc - Verified date: 2026-08 ## Verified against - DailyMed SetID 8274ca80-e7d3-4f4f-9901-cc5c589b4fef sections 1 and 2.2, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8274ca80-e7d3-4f4f-9901-cc5c589b4fef - SmPC sections 4.2 and 4.4, https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5453/smpc ## Treatment metadata - Liquid paraffin — topical - Levocetirizine — 5 mg — oral.solid ## Complete treatment card ```text PRURITUS (ITCHING) Sources: DailyMed SetID 8274ca80-e7d3-4f4f-9901-cc5c589b4fef sections 1 and 2.2, https://dailymed.nl m.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8274ca80-e7d3-4f4f-9901-cc5c589b4fef · Levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablets US prescribing information, sections 1 and 2 Dosage and Administration (DailyMed SetID 8274ca80-e7d3-4f4f-9901-cc5c589b4fef) · No labelled dose - emollient applied liberally and as often as needed, to effect · SmPC sections 4.2 and 4.4, https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5453/smpc Review status: REVIEWED against 2 sources listed above (2026-08) 1. LIQUID PARAFFIN [1st line] Adult Apply to affected areas as often as required. - long-term continuous maintenance Peds Apply to affected areas as often as required. Warning: fire hazard with paraffin-soaked fabrics. Source SmPC sections 4.2 and 4.4, https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5453/smpc Why Regular emollient use restores skin barrier function and is first-line, safe symptomatic treatment for itch regardless of the underlying cause, the same role it plays in eczema. Caution Generalised itching without a rash may indicate underlying liver disease, chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease, or lymphoma and needs systemic work-up. Dry skin is one of the commonest causes of generalised itch, especially with frequent washing; regular emollient use is first-line and should continue even once itching settles. If itching is generalised with no visible rash, screen for systemic causes - liver disease, chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease, iron deficiency, or lymphoma - rather than treating with emollient alone indefinitely. Warn about fire hazard when fabric contacts paraffin-based products. Egypt ADCOCARE CREAM 20 GM ARAB DRUG COM... 12.00 EGP -> ! also contains glyceryl monostearate, propylene glycol, urea DERMOLAN CREAM 50 GM HI-CARE > EMI... 19.00 EGP -> ! also contains allantoin, glycerol, glycolic acid, panthenol, salicylic acid, urea, vitamin c, zinc oxide ADCOCARE CREAM 40 GM ARAB DRUG COM... 21.75 EGP -> ! also contains glyceryl monostearate, propylene glycol, urea CARE MIX PLUS HAIR CREAM 50 GM VITA PHARM > ... 29.50 EGP -> ! also contains cetostearyl alcohol, lanolin, panthenol, wheat protein, white soft paraffin PROPOLIS CREAM 15 ML LUNA FOR PERF... 30.00 EGP -> ! also contains cera alba, glycerin, propolis PROPOLIS CREAM 30 ML LUNA FOR PERF... 55.00 EGP -> ! also contains cera alba, glycerin, propolis HEALTHPOINT NAPPY CREAM 100 GM HEALTHPOINT L... 70.00 EGP -> ! also contains benzyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, lanolin, peg-100 s, water, zinc oxide HERCUL WHITENING CREAM 60 GM LEADER FOR CO... 74.75 EGP -> ! also contains alpha arbutin, diemthicone, glycerin, licorice ext, octyl methoxy, titanium dioxide, vit.c 2. LEVOCETIRIZINE [2nd line] Adult 5 mg PO once daily in evening (2.5 mg once daily may suffice). - While symptoms persist; review at 4-6 weeks Peds Age 6-11y: 2.5 mg (1/2 scored tablet) PO once daily in evening; age <6y: use oral solution. Source DailyMed SetID 8274ca80-e7d3-4f4f-9901-cc5c589b4fef sections 1 and 2.2, https://dailymed .nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8274ca80-e7d3-4f4f-9901-cc5c589b4fef Why An oral antihistamine is standard symptomatic treatment for troublesome itch of any hypersensitivity or unclear cause, at the same dose used for urticaria. Caution Evening dosing helps because itch is typically worse at night and this is the more sedating of the second-generation antihistamines. Sedating antihistamines give symptomatic relief but do not treat a systemic cause of itch if one is found on work-up. Reduce to 2.5 mg in mild renal impairment - a lower threshold than most drugs and easy to miss in the elderly. Egypt ZALKEVOR 5 MG 10 F.C.TABS. EL-OBOUR > RE... 5.50 EGP (0.55/unit) RHIPGIC 5 MG 30 F.C. TABS. P & C LABS 19.50 EGP (0.65/unit) LERGOPAN 5 MG 10 F.C.TABS. PHAROPHARMA 7.50 EGP (0.75/unit) LEVOCITRONE 5 MG 10 F.C.TABS. EGYPHAR 21.00 EGP (2.10/unit) RAMATRIZINE 5 MG 30 F.C.TABS. EGPI > RAMAPH... 96.00 EGP (3.20/unit) LEVOHISTAM 5 MG 30 F.C.TABS. EGPI > UTOPIA 117.00 EGP (3.90/unit) ARAXILEVE 5 MG 30 ORO-DISPERSIBLE TABS. JEDCO INT. CO. FOR PHARMACEUTICA... 51.00 EGP LEVCET 5MG 20 ORODISSOLVABLE TABS. MARCYRL PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES (MPI) 85.00 EGP MERVOZA 2.5MG/5ML SYRUP 120 ML GLOBAL NAPI P... 8.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid MODALLERGE 0.5MG/ML ORAL SOL. EGPI > MODERN... 8.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy. ``` --- Dawaa Reference is a reference for prescribers, not a medical device, and does not replace clinical judgement. [Privacy policy](/privacy)