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Key takeaways
Generic Xyzal has been available in the U.S. since 2011 and can be obtained both by prescription and over the counter.
The FDA determined that generic and brand-name Xyzal contain the same active ingredient and have the same benefits.
Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra are alternatives to Xyzal, and they have generic versions available.
Xyzal is an antihistamine that is available both by prescription and over the counter. It is used to relieve seasonal allergies (hay fever), including allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and itchy nose and throat. Prescription-strength Xyzal is used for allergies and hives in adults and children. Brand-name Xyzal is no longer marketed as a prescription drug in the U.S., but it is available over the counter, as Xyzal Allergy 24HR tablets and Children’s Xyzal Allergy 24HR liquid.
Is there a generic for Xyzal?
Generic Xyzal, known as levocetirizine, has been available in the U.S. since 2011, when it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Both brand-name Xyzal and generic levocetirizine are now available over the counter.
Xyzal generic availability |
|
|---|---|
| Generic name | Levocetirizine |
| FDA approval date of generic version | 2011 |
| Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.? | Yes |
What are the differences between generic and brand-name Xyzal?
“The differences between generic and brand-name Xyzal are minimal. Both medications contain the same active ingredient, which is levocetirizine,” says Maaz Jalil, DO, board-certified pediatric and adult allergist and immunologist, with ENT and Allergy Associates, Morristown, NJ.
“The general difference is the inactive ingredients and the binders or fillers; these ingredients usually do not affect how well the medication works, although anecdotally very few of my patients will note that one works better than the other,” Dr. Jalil says.
There are no studies demonstrating differences in the efficacy of generic Xyzal compared to the brand-name version, but this is typical for generics. For a generic drug to be approved, the manufacturer does not need to prove that the drug is effective (the brand-name manufacturer has already done this type of testing), just that it works the same way and reaches the same levels in the blood as the brand-name drug. In the initial approval letter, the FDA noted that generic and brand-name versions of Xyzal contain the same active ingredient and are equally effective for treating allergies. In terms of form, Xyzal brand-name and generic are available as 2.5 mg/5 mL oral solution and 5 mg oral tablets.
However, generic products are often up to 80% lower in price compared to brand-name drugs, yet they are just as effective, making them an affordable option for most people.
How much does generic Xyzal cost?
Generic Xyzal, levocetirizine, is more affordable than the brand-name version. A box of 30, 5 mg tablets of brand-name Xyzal Allergy 24HR costs about $21 without insurance. However, generic levocetirizine would cost as low as $7 with a SingleCare discount. You can ask your healthcare provider to prescribe generic levocetirizine, which is available by prescription and may be covered by your plan.
You can use a SingleCare discount on OTC Xyzal or OTC generic levocetirizine products, but you’ll need a prescription from a healthcare provider so that your pharmacy can process the discount. You can use your insurance or a SingleCare discount, but not both together.
Brand vs. generic Xyzal prices |
||
|---|---|---|
| Cost details | Brand-name Xyzal Allergy 24HR | Xyzal generic (levocetirizine) |
| Average cost without insurance | $21 per 30, 5 mg tablets of Xyzal Allergy 24hr | $96 for 30, 5 mg tablets of generic levocetirizine |
| SingleCare’s lowest price | $14 per 30, 5 mg tablets of Xyzal Allergy 24hr | $7 for 30, 5 mg tablets of generic levocetirizine at Kroger or Harris Teeter |
| Free coupons | Xyzal Allergy 24HR coupons | Levocetirizine coupons |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Feb. 23, 2026. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.
Is Xyzal covered by insurance?
Many insurance companies cover generic prescription versions of levocetirizine. In some cases, they may also cover OTC versions of Xyzal and generic OTC levocetirizine. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary. It’s best to check with your specific plan to find out if they cover Xyzal or levocetirizine, and what your cost would be.
Generic alternatives to Xyzal
While Xyzal is an effective allergy medication, consider other options if you’re experiencing side effects or if it is not working as well for you. Generic alternatives to Xyzal include other second and third-generation antihistamines, which are preferred over first-generation options due to their lower sedation and long-lasting effects.
Generic alternatives to Xyzal include:
Xyzal may also be used off-label for other purposes. “I use Xyzal off-label in the treatment of itching from rashes due to conditions like eczema or contact with poison ivy,” says Cynthia Odogwu, MD, family and lifestyle medicine physician in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
“In very specific cases, I use Xyzal to help my patients with eczema, chronic cough, and allergic asthma. These would be considered off-label; however, these diagnoses are pathogenically related to the approved indications of Xyzal, ” Dr. Jalil says.
It is not advised to use a drug off-label without discussing it with your healthcare provider. Consult them if you decide to use Xyzal for other conditions; they will advise you on what’s best for you, considering the benefits versus risk, and your medical history.
How to switch to generic Xyzal
If you currently take brand-name OTC Xyzal, changing to generic is easy. Both the brand and generic contain the same active ingredient, levocetirizine, and work the same way. You can make the switch seamlessly without any special precautions. If you have any concerns, check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Expert takeaway
“I personally give generic levocetirizine to my kids for allergy symptoms,” says Karen Berger, Pharm.D., member of the SingleCare Medical Board. “I know that it works the same as the brand and is a fraction of the cost.”
- Perrigo and Synthon announce approval and launch of generic Xyzal, U.S. Pharmacist (2011)
- Levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablets approval letter, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2010)
- Xyzal prescribing Information, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2019)
- FDA requires warning about rare but severe itching after stopping long-term use of oral allergy medicines cetirizine or levocetirizine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2025)