Cetaway is levocetirizine 5 mg, a once-daily antihistamine for allergies. It treats hay fever, year-round allergic rhinitis, hives and allergic itching. It comes as a tablet, an orally disintegrating tablet that melts on the tongue, and a solution for children.
What is Cetaway?
Cetaway contains levocetirizine dihydrochloride. The South African Medicine Price Registry lists three presentations, all Schedule 2 — available from a pharmacy without a prescription:
| Product | Form | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Cetaway | Film-coated tablet | Levocetirizine 5 mg |
| Cetaway ODT | Orally disintegrating tablet | Levocetirizine 5 mg |
| Cetaway Solution | Oral solution | Levocetirizine 0.5 mg/ml |
Levocetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine, and its relationship to cetirizine is worth understanding because it explains the strengths.
Cetirizine exists as two mirror-image forms of the same molecule. Only one of them — the levo form — does the antihistamine work; the other is largely inert. Levocetirizine is that active half isolated on its own. This is why 5 mg of levocetirizine does the job of 10 mg of cetirizine: it is the same amount of active medicine, with the inactive half removed.
It works by blocking H1 histamine receptors. Histamine is released by mast cells during an allergic reaction and causes the swelling, itching, sneezing and mucus that follow. Blocking its receptors stops that cascade.
Being second-generation, it crosses into the brain far less readily than older antihistamines, so it causes considerably less drowsiness. Considerably less is not none — a noticeable minority of people do feel sleepy on it, and levocetirizine is somewhat more sedating than loratadine or fexofenadine.
The ODT form dissolves on the tongue without water, which suits children, people who struggle with tablets, and anyone taking it away from a glass of water.
What is Cetaway commonly used for?
- Hay fever and seasonal allergic rhinitis — sneezing, runny nose, nasal itching, itchy and watery eyes.
- Year-round allergic rhinitis from dust mites, pets, cockroach allergen or mould.
- Chronic urticaria (hives) — one of its most useful roles. Doctors sometimes prescribe higher-than-standard doses for stubborn hives, which is an established practice but a decision for a prescriber, not for self-medication.
- Allergic itching, including in eczema and other allergic skin conditions.
- Insect bite reactions.
- Allergic conjunctivitis — itchy, watery, red eyes.
- Mild allergic reactions, alongside — never instead of — proper emergency treatment for anything severe.
It usually works within an hour and lasts a full day, which is why it is taken once daily.
Two limits are worth stating.
It does not treat colds or flu. Those are viral infections. An antihistamine may dry a runny nose slightly, but it does nothing for the illness, and fever and body aches point away from allergy entirely.
It does little for nasal congestion. Antihistamines handle the sneezing, itching and running well and the blockage poorly. Persistent congestion usually responds better to a steroid nasal spray, which works on the inflammation directly.
For seasonal allergy, taking it regularly through the season works considerably better than waiting for symptoms to build.
How Cetaway fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Second-generation antihistamines | Levocetirizine (Cetaway), cetirizine (Austell Cetirizine), loratadine, fexofenadine | Once daily; much less sedating |
| First-generation antihistamines | Chlorphenamine (Rhineton), promethazine | Effective but markedly sedating |
| Steroid nasal sprays | Fluticasone, mometasone | Best for persistent nasal allergy, especially congestion |
| Decongestants | Pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline | Blockage only; blood pressure cautions; short-term |
| Leukotriene blockers | Montelukast | Allergic rhinitis with asthma |
| Eye drops | Sodium cromoglycate, antihistamine drops | Eye symptoms specifically |
For moderate or persistent allergic rhinitis, an antihistamine plus a steroid nasal spray usually works better than either alone. See the allergy, cold and flu medicines hub.
What to check before using Cetaway
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you:
- Have kidney disease or reduced kidney function. This is the most important check — levocetirizine is cleared by the kidneys and the dose usually needs reducing. It is not recommended in severe kidney impairment.
- Have liver disease or epilepsy.
- Have difficulty passing urine, an enlarged prostate, or a spinal cord injury affecting the bladder.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Take sedating medicines — sleeping tablets, opioid painkillers, some antidepressants — or drink alcohol regularly.
- Are already taking another antihistamine, including one hidden inside a cold and flu remedy. Doubling up adds drowsiness without adding benefit, and it happens easily.
- Are elderly, where kidney function is often reduced even without a diagnosis.
- Are buying for a child. The solution is dosed by age and weight; adult tablets are not suitable for young children.
Practical points:
- Take it once daily at the same time. Many people prefer the evening, so any drowsiness falls at night.
- It can be taken with or without food.
- ODT tablets go on the tongue and dissolve — do not swallow them whole with water, and handle them with dry hands.
- Measure the solution with the device supplied, not a kitchen spoon.
- Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
- If you are due for allergy testing, antihistamines interfere with skin prick tests and usually need stopping several days beforehand. Ask before booking.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, tiredness and occasionally stomach discomfort. In children, restlessness or irritability is sometimes seen instead of sedation.
Get emergency help immediately for signs of a severe allergic reaction — swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, widespread hives with faintness, or collapse. Anaphylaxis is treated with adrenaline. An antihistamine tablet is not adequate treatment for it, and taking one instead of calling for help costs time that matters.
Contact a doctor if:
- Symptoms are not controlled after a week or two of regular use.
- You need an antihistamine most days for months — a steroid nasal spray, allergy testing or immunotherapy may suit you better.
- Hives last more than six weeks, or come with joint pain, fever or weight loss.
- You have wheezing, chest tightness or breathlessness. Allergy and asthma frequently travel together, and asthma needs its own treatment.
- A child becomes unusually agitated, drowsy or unwell on it.
- You have kidney problems and have not had the dose checked.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Allergy, Cold & Flu Medicines guides
- Read: Austell Cetirizine used for
- Read: Rhineton used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Cetaway used for? Allergies — hay fever, year-round allergic rhinitis, hives, allergic itching and allergic eye symptoms. It contains levocetirizine 5 mg.
Is Cetaway the same as cetirizine? It is the active half of cetirizine on its own. Levocetirizine 5 mg is equivalent to cetirizine 10 mg.
How quickly does it work? Usually within an hour, and it lasts about a day, so it is taken once daily.
Will it make me drowsy? Much less than older antihistamines, but some people do feel sleepy. Many take it in the evening for that reason.
What is Cetaway ODT? An orally disintegrating tablet that dissolves on the tongue without water — useful for children and anyone who struggles with tablets.
Will it unblock my nose? Not much. Antihistamines handle sneezing, itching and running well. For congestion, a steroid nasal spray usually works better.
Can I take it for a cold? It will not treat a cold. Colds are viral, and fever and body aches point away from allergy.
Do I need a prescription? No. It is Schedule 2 — available from a pharmacy without one.