N-CAST-L 10/5MG TABLETS

Description

N-CAST-L 10/5MG TABLETS

The combination of Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride (5 mg) and Montelukast Sodium (10 mg).

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1. Pharmacokinetics (How the body handles the drug)

Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride:

Absorption:

After you take Levocetirizine orally (in tablet form), it is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream. It reaches its highest concentration (peak) in the blood in about 1 hour.

Distribution:

The drug then spreads throughout your body and tends to concentrate in areas where allergic reactions are common, such as the respiratory system (nose, lungs, etc.).

Metabolism:

Levocetirizine is not heavily broken down by your liver, which means it remains mostly in its original form in the bloodstream.

Elimination:

The drug is excreted through urine (pee) without being metabolized much, which means the body doesn’t change it a lot before it gets rid of it.

 

Montelukast Sodium:

Absorption:

After ingestion, Montelukast is also well absorbed, but it takes a little longer to reach its peak concentration, about 3-4 hours after taking the tablet.

Distribution:

Once in the bloodstream, 99% of Montelukast binds to proteins in your blood, which helps it stay active in your system for a longer period of time.

Metabolism:

Montelukast is primarily broken down by enzymes in the liver. These enzymes process the drug before it is eliminated.

Elimination:

Once metabolized, Montelukast is mainly excreted in feces (poop), and a small amount is passed out in urine (pee).

 

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2. Pharmacodynamics (How the drug works)

This explains what each drug does inside your body:

Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride:

Histamine Blocker:

Histamine is a chemical your body releases when it’s exposed to allergens (like pollen, dust, etc.), and it causes common allergic symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and runny nose.

Levocetirizine works by blocking the histamine receptors in your body (specifically H1 receptors). When these receptors are blocked, histamine can’t bind to them, reducing allergy symptoms.

 

Montelukast Sodium:

Leukotriene Blocker:

Another chemical involved in allergic reactions and asthma is leukotrienes. These are substances that cause inflammation in the airways and lead to asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.

Montelukast blocks leukotriene receptors, preventing inflammation and constriction of the airways, which helps reduce asthma attacks and allergy symptoms like congestion.

 

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3. Key Uses

These drugs work together to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma:

Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride:

Allergic Rhinitis:

Used to treat conditions like hay fever, where you have sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion caused by allergies (to pollen, dust, etc.).

Chronic Urticaria (Hives):

Helps control the itching, swelling, and rash caused by hives, which are often triggered by allergies.

 

Montelukast Sodium:

Asthma:

It helps prevent asthma attacks by reducing inflammation and preventing the narrowing of the airways. This is important for people with chronic asthma who need ongoing control of their symptoms.

Allergic Rhinitis:

It’s also used for seasonal allergies or year-round allergies, especially in people who also have asthma. Montelukast helps manage both conditions at the same time.

 

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4. Special Work (How it helps in special cases)

This combination of Levocetirizine and Montelukast is particularly useful for people who suffer from both allergies and asthma.

Levocetirizine deals with the allergic symptoms (like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes).

Montelukast helps control asthma and allergic inflammation (by reducing airway inflammation and preventing asthma attacks).

 

Together, they address both the immune system’s allergic reaction (via levocetirizine) and the inflammatory process in the airways (via montelukast), giving comprehensive relief to people with both asthma and allergies.

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5. Side Effects

Here’s what you might experience, and some rare, serious effects to look out for:

Levocetirizine:

Common side effects include:

Drowsiness (can make you feel sleepy).

Dry mouth (uncomfortable sensation in your mouth).

Headaches.

Serious but rare side effects include:

Difficulty urinating.

Severe allergic reactions (swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing).

 

Montelukast:

Common side effects include:

Headache.

Sore throat.

Stomach pain.

Serious but rare side effects include:

Mood changes (anxiety, depression, or irritability).

Suicidal thoughts or behavior (this is rare but needs immediate medical attention).

Severe allergic reactions (swelling, rash, trouble breathing).

 

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6. Benefits

By combining both Levocetirizine and Montelukast, patients can benefit from:

Immediate relief of allergy symptoms from Levocetirizine.

Long-term asthma control and prevention of asthma attacks from Montelukast.

Convenience of managing both allergies and asthma with just one treatment combination.

 

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7. Pregnancy Safety

Both Levocetirizine and Montelukast are classified as Category B by the FDA:

Category B means that animal studies did not show risks to the fetus, but there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, they should be used only if the doctor believes the benefits outweigh any potential risks.

Consult your healthcare provider before using these medications if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

 

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Summary:

This drug combination is particularly helpful for those who have both allergic rhinitis and asthma. It works by blocking the body’s allergic responses (Levocetirizine) and reducing inflammation in the airways (Montelukast), helping with both immediate and long-term control of symptoms. However, as with all medications, it should be taken under the guidance of a healthcare provider, especially during pregnancy.