Sprint

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Sprint

Property Description
Active ingredient Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride
Form Oral Tablet, Oral Solution (Syrup)
Pharmacological class Second-Generation Antihistamine
General purpose Relief of common allergic discomfort
Origin Synthetic (R-enantiomer derivative)

What Type of Medicine is Sprint (Levocetirizine)?

Sprint is a synthetic, single-ingredient pharmaceutical agent classified within the Second-Generation Antihistamine class, with the active component being Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride. This medication is specifically intended for oral administration and is supplied in common pharmaceutical preparations, including a film-coated oral tablet and an oral solution. The identity of Sprint is intrinsically tied to its pharmacological class, which is clinically recognized for its selective action compared to older antihistamines. The use of such newer compounds is recognized in managing systemic allergic conditions.

How is Levocetirizine Related to Other Allergy Drugs?

Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride is the highly specific, active R-enantiomer of cetirizine, a well-known precursor molecule also used in allergy treatment. This composition means the drug is chemically refined to isolate the molecular form that is primarily responsible for the desired therapeutic effect, differentiating it from the original racemic mixture. This structural refinement relates to the high affinity of the R-enantiomer for its target receptors. This focus on the single, effective molecular component is a key development in reducing unnecessary chemical load.

What is the General Purpose of This Antihistamine?

The general purpose of this medicine is to mitigate the physiological effects of histamine release, thereby providing systemic relief from the body's general allergic responses. It achieves this fundamental role by functioning as a Selective Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonist. By competitively occupying the H1 receptor sites, Levocetirizine helps prevent the development of common, undesirable physical effects triggered by allergen exposure. This action is crucial for managing discomfort associated with allergic manifestations, such as persistent itching and involuntary sneezing, providing the general benefit of systemic relief when allergy symptoms occur.

Regulatory References

  1. Levocetirizine: MedlinePlus Drug Information

What side effects are possible with Sprint?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Sprint (levocetirizine dihydrochloride) is established through clinical studies and post-marketing surveillance, with adverse reactions documented and classified by government regulatory authorities into frequency and System-Organ Classes (SOC).

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The official labeling organizes potential effects by how often they are expected to occur:

  • Common (Observed in 1 to 10 users in every 100): Effects on the Nervous System and General Disorders such as somnolence (drowsiness), headache, fatigue, and dry mouth. Fatigue and somnolence are often noted as being more frequently observed at the initiation of treatment.
  • Uncommon (Observed in 1 to 10 users in every 1,000): Includes asthenia (physical weakness) and abdominal pain.
  • Rare (Observed in 1 to 10 users in every 10,000): Documented events include hypersensitivity and weight increase.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Restrictions

Serious adverse reactions documented in regulatory sources, primarily through post-marketing reports, include rare occurrences of severe hypersensitivity reactions such as anaphylaxis and angioedema, as well as reports of seizures/convulsions and liver function abnormalities.

Safety notes include a specific contraindication in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or those undergoing dialysis due to the risk of drug accumulation. Caution is generally advised in older adults due to the increased probability of reduced kidney function. The official labeling warns that concurrent use with alcohol or other Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants may result in additional impairment of alertness.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

This section describes the officially documented manifestations and required actions in the event of an overdose of Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride, based on official regulatory prescribing information.


Documented Manifestations of Overdose

The primary symptom of overdose noted in regulatory documents is central nervous system (CNS) effects. This presentation differs by age group:

  • In Adults: The principal documented sign of overdose is drowsiness (somnolence).
  • In Children: Overdose may present initially as agitation or restlessness, followed by drowsiness.

Additionally, symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, fatigue, malaise, tachycardia (increased heart rate), and urinary retention have been reported following high-dose intake.

Official Emergency Actions Required

If an overdose is suspected, the following immediate actions are mandated by official labeling:

  1. Seek Medical Help Immediately: Patients must get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
  2. Inform a Healthcare Professional: The individual should immediately tell a doctor what has happened.

Management and Key Regulatory Notes

Area Regulatory Documentation
Antidote There is no known specific antidote for Levocetirizine.
Treatment Management is based on symptomatic or supportive treatment.
Dialysis Efficacy The medication is not effectively removed by haemodialysis.
Renal Risk Risk of overdose symptoms may be greater in patients with impaired renal function due to the drug's excretion route.

This information is strictly descriptive of the official regulatory data on overdose and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Therapeutic Uses of Sprint

What Sprint Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Sprint (Levocetirizine) is commonly used to help with symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states that affect the nose and eyes. It is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed, primarily for managing conditions such as Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis, and Chronic Urticaria (hives).

Sprint assists in addressing symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, including sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and intense skin itching. The medication is relevant for easing symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain, specifically intense skin itching (pruritus), and is applied in addressing the presence of associated hives (wheals). Sprint is considered relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate for symptoms that become more disruptive during flare-ups. This provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden and contributes to improved day-to-day comfort during symptomatic periods.

Quick Fact: Relevant for Persistent Itching (Pruritus)

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who can and cannot use Sprint (Sodium Thiosulfate) — official regulatory information

This section describes the official eligibility and non-eligibility rules for the drug, based strictly on governmental regulatory documents.


Eligibility Scope

Classification Eligibility Rules/Restrictions
Populations Allowed Pediatric patients 1 month of age and older with localized, non-metastatic solid tumors, specifically for reducing the risk of ototoxicity associated with cisplatin.
Age-Related Rule Not indicated for use in pediatric patients less than 1 month of age due to increased risk of hypernatremia.
Formal Contraindications Patients with a history of a severe hypersensitivity to sodium thiosulfate or any component of the formulation.
Conditional Restrictions Must be withheld if a patient has hypernatremia (serum sodium >145 mmol/L) or Grade 3 or 4 hypokalemia until levels return to normal.
Condition-Specific Limits Safety and efficacy have not been established when administered following cisplatin infusions longer than 6 hours. Use is limited to patients receiving cisplatin for localized, non-metastatic solid tumors.

Official Eligibility Summary

Regulatory documents define a precise profile for the use of this medicine. The drug is contraindicated only in cases of known severe hypersensitivity. Age is a strict factor, with use not indicated or recommended for children under one month old. Furthermore, the drug is intended exclusively for pediatric patients one month of age and older who are undergoing cisplatin treatment for localized, non-metastatic solid tumors, and its use is strictly limited by the patient's electrolyte status (sodium and potassium levels) and the duration of the prior cisplatin infusion.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Sprint Interactions with other medicines and products

Drug-drug interactions are a critical part of a medication’s safety profile, typically involving changes in the plasma concentration of one or both drugs. These pharmacokinetic interactions can be mediated by effects on drug-metabolizing Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and various drug transporters in the liver and kidney.

While specific, officially documented interaction data for a product named Sprint were not readily identified in initial searches of major regulatory databases (FDA, EMA), the general principles of drug interaction assessment mandate that its official prescribing information details any clinically significant combinations. This information is required for:

  • Medicinal Products: Explicitly listed drugs, drug classes (e.g., strong CYP inhibitors, inducers), and products that may cause significant changes in the concentration or effect of Sprint or vice versa.
  • Procedural Constraints: Any co-administration is classified by risk, such as contraindicated (do not combine) or use-with-caution (requires monitoring or dose adjustment).
  • Mechanistic Statements: An explanation of the known or predicted mechanism, such as inhibition of CYP3A4, induction of P-glycoprotein, or effects on renal transporters.

Clinically significant interactions must be addressed with practical instructions for healthcare providers to ensure safe and effective use. All labeling is governed by the regulatory requirement to transparently communicate the potential for altered efficacy or increased toxicity when combined with other medicines or products.

Mechanism of Action

The drug Sprint exerts its effects by modulating specific molecular and cellular mechanisms to influence physiological signaling. It focuses action across two main pharmacodynamic domains: receptor-mediated signaling and enzymatic regulation.

Modulating Receptor-Mediated Signaling

Sprint primarily acts within domains involving receptor-mediated signaling by selectively engaging specific cell surface receptors. This interaction initiates or suppresses sequences that lead to downstream effects, modifying early molecular steps that shape systemic physiological outcomes. This action influences the signaling patterns associated with heightened physiological responses.


Modulating Enzymatic Processes

The drug also engages mechanisms that modulate processes driven by specific enzymatic activity. Sprint affects cellular systems where distinct transmitters or mediators dominate by inhibiting or activating crucial enzymes. This modulation influences the signaling amplitude resulting from excessive mediator activity, contributing to altered pathway kinetics.

Dosage and Administration Information

Sprint (Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride) is designed exclusively for oral administration, utilizing either a 5 mg scored tablet or an oral solution (2.5 mg/5 mL concentration). The 5 mg tablet is manufactured to be precisely scored, which allows for the practical administration of the 2.5 mg dose when required by the prescribing schedule.

Administration timing is consistently set as a once-daily schedule, typically recommended for intake in the evening. This medicine may be taken without regard to food. The standard administration pattern for adolescents and adults (12 years and older) is a single dose of 5 mg per day. A dose of 2.5 mg may be sufficient for some individuals, and 5 mg represents the maximum intake in a 24-hour period.

Usage in children aged 6 to 11 years is set at 2.5 mg once daily, while patients from 6 months to 5 years receive 1.25 mg daily. The 2.5 mg pediatric dose should not be exceeded; the systemic exposure in this age group is approximately double that of adults on the 5 mg regimen. For conditions requiring long-term administration, continuous maintenance use throughout the symptomatic period is common.

Usage patterns must be adjusted for individuals with kidney impairment (renal impairment). For patients 12 years and older with mild to severe renal impairment, the dose must be formally reduced and the interval between doses must be extended, based on calculated creatinine clearance. No adjustment is required solely for hepatic impairment.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Sprint (Levocetirizine)

The information below summarizes the clinical research and scientific studies referenced by health authorities and peer-reviewed literature when describing the evidence base for Sprint (levocetirizine). This section describes what patient populations were studied, what outcomes research examined, and where evidence limitations or gaps exist.


Evidence for Use in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR)

The research for conditions characterized by episodic manifestations like sneezing and itchy eyes has been structured around numerous short-term Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). These studies were used in research exploring how symptoms change over time, and some trials included comparison groups such as placebo or other study drugs. Researchers monitored patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort and changes in symptom intensity during periods of heightened symptom activity. Research describes changes measured during the short study periods (2–4 weeks) in adults, adolescents, and children aged 6 months and older.

Evidence for Use in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis (PAR)

For perennial allergic rhinitis, which involves conditions presenting with cycles of stability and flare-ups year-round, studies explored symptom patterns over an Intermediate-term timeframe (up to six months). Studies examined metrics for persistent nasal symptoms and congestion, including the evaluation of outcomes reflecting daily functioning or activity level (functional measures) in the studied populations. Research describes patterns related to symptom changes observed in studied populations of adults and children aged 6 to 12 years.

Long-Term Studies and What is Still Uncertain

The duration of follow-up in the primary regulatory trials was generally short- or intermediate-term. These limited follow-up durations mean the data primarily address the initial phase of managing conditions involving periods of heightened symptoms. As a result, the full extent of long-term effects are not fully established, and the durability of observed symptom changes over periods exceeding one year are not fully characterized. Data for certain groups, such as those with severe underlying conditions, remain insufficient, and specific subgroup findings are uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Sprint (FAQ)


Q: Does Sprint make you sleepy, and does this effect go away with continued use?

Drowsiness, known as somnolence, is listed in the official product information as a common side effect of this medicine. Studies and regulatory reports indicate that effects like drowsiness and fatigue are often more frequently observed when a person first starts treatment. This indicates that these effects are primarily associated with the start of treatment, but it does not guarantee they will resolve for everyone.


Q: Is Sprint a first- or second-generation antihistamine?

According to official regulatory documents, Sprint (Levocetirizine) is classified as a second-generation antihistamine. Its active component is designed to work as a potent and selective antagonist, meaning it blocks specific peripheral H1 -receptors in the body to manage allergy symptoms.


Q: What is the proper way to dispose of the liquid oral solution (syrup)?

Regulatory guidance strictly states that this medicine, including the oral solution, must not be thrown into household trash or poured down the drain (wastewater). Disposal must follow specific guidelines for pharmaceutical waste. The recommended approach is to consult a pharmacist or local waste disposal company for specific instructions in the area.


Q: Can I take a single 2.5 mg dose twice a day instead of a 5 mg dose once a day?

Official prescribing information generally advises that the medicine be taken once daily. Regulatory documents state that the total daily amount should be taken as a single intake in the evening. Modifications to the schedule or frequency must be guided by a healthcare professional.

How should Sprint be stored and disposed of?

Storage Requirements

Sprint (Levocetirizine) tablets must be stored at controlled room temperature, specifically between 20^circmathrmC to 25^circmathrmC (68^circmathrmF to 77^circmathrmF). The medication must be kept in its original container and be protected from moisture. All forms of the medicine must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Stability and Time Limits

For the oral solution (syrup), the regulatory labeling specifies an in-use shelf-life constraint: the opened bottle must be used or discarded within 3 months of first opening.

Disposal Instructions

Unused or expired Sprint must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste (trash). Disposal must follow specific guidelines, and should be handled according to local requirements for pharmaceutical waste, often by consulting a pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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