Dawaa Reference

acute

Pruritus (itching)

Treatment options, dosing, cautions and Egyptian brands from the shipped Dawaa Reference card.

Evidence status

Checked against the sources named below

Sources4 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 against2 documents
  • 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

Verified date2026-08

1

LIQUID PARAFFIN

1st line

Formtopical

Adult dose and duration

Apply to affected areas as often as required. - long-term continuous maintenance

Paediatric dose

Apply to affected areas as often as required. Warning: fire hazard with paraffin-soaked fabrics.

Dose 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.

Cautions
  • 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.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
ADCOCARE CREAM 20 GM! also contains glyceryl monostearate, propylene glycol, ureaARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)12.00 EGP
DERMOLAN CREAM 50 GM! also contains allantoin, glycerol, glycolic acid, panthenol, salicylic acid, urea, vitamin c, zinc oxideHI-CARE > EMICO PHARMA19.00 EGP
ADCOCARE CREAM 40 GM! also contains glyceryl monostearate, propylene glycol, ureaARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)21.75 EGP
CARE MIX PLUS HAIR CREAM 50 GM! also contains cetostearyl alcohol, lanolin, panthenol, wheat protein, white soft paraffinVITA PHARM > CARE MIX29.50 EGP
PROPOLIS CREAM 15 ML! also contains cera alba, glycerin, propolisLUNA FOR PERFUMES AND COSMETICS > TECHNOMED GROUP30.00 EGP
PROPOLIS CREAM 30 ML! also contains cera alba, glycerin, propolisLUNA FOR PERFUMES AND COSMETICS > TECHNOMED GROUP55.00 EGP
HEALTHPOINT NAPPY CREAM 100 GM! also contains benzyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, lanolin, peg-100 s, water, zinc oxideHEALTHPOINT LTD. > PAXTON70.00 EGP
HERCUL WHITENING CREAM 60 GM! also contains alpha arbutin, diemthicone, glycerin, licorice ext, octyl methoxy, titanium dioxide, vit.cLEADER FOR COSMETICS > JUNIER PHARMA74.75 EGP
2

LEVOCETIRIZINE

2nd line

Strength5 mg

Formoral.solid

Adult dose and duration

5 mg PO once daily in evening (2.5 mg once daily may suffice). - While symptoms persist; review at 4-6 weeks

Paediatric dose

Age 6-11y: 2.5 mg (1/2 scored tablet) PO once daily in evening; age <6y: use oral solution.

Dose 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.

Cautions
  • 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.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
ZALKEVOR 5 MG 10 F.C.TABS.EL-OBOUR > REPHARMA5.50 EGP (0.55/unit)
RHIPGIC 5 MG 30 F.C. TABS.P & C LABS19.50 EGP (0.65/unit)
LERGOPAN 5 MG 10 F.C.TABS.PHAROPHARMA7.50 EGP (0.75/unit)
LEVOCITRONE 5 MG 10 F.C.TABS.EGYPHAR21.00 EGP (2.10/unit)
RAMATRIZINE 5 MG 30 F.C.TABS.EGPI > RAMAPHARMA96.00 EGP (3.20/unit)
LEVOHISTAM 5 MG 30 F.C.TABS.EGPI > UTOPIA117.00 EGP (3.90/unit)
ARAXILEVE 5 MG 30 ORO-DISPERSIBLE TABS.JEDCO INT. CO. FOR PHARMACEUTICALS > ARAX PHARM. IND.51.00 EGP
LEVCET 5MG 20 ORODISSOLVABLE TABS.MARCYRL PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES (MPI)85.00 EGP
MERVOZA 2.5MG/5ML SYRUP 120 ML? strength differs? different route - not oral solidGLOBAL NAPI PHARMACEUTICALS8.00 EGP
MODALLERGE 0.5MG/ML ORAL SOL.? strength differs? different route - not oral solidEGPI > MODERN PHARMA8.00 EGP

Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy.