Antihistamines
| Child's Age | 6 mo to 2 years | 2 to 6 years | 6 to 11 years | 12+ years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cetirizine (Zyrtec) | 2.5 mg once daily | 2.5-5 mg once daily or 2.5 mg twice daily | 5-10 mg once daily | 10 mg once daily |
|
| Levocetirizine (Xyzal) | 1.25 mg once daily | 1.25 mg once daily | 2.5 mg once daily | 2.5-5 mg once daily |
|
| Loratadine (Claritin) | -- | 5 mg once daily | 10 mg once daily or 5 mg twice daily | 10 mg once daily or 5 mg twice daily | |
| Desloratadine (Clarinex) | 6 mo to 1 year: 1 mg once daily (liquid not available in the US) | 1 to 6 years: 1.25 mg once daily (liquid not available in the US) | 2.5 mg once daily | 5 mg once daily | |
| Fexofenadine (Allegra) | <10.5 kg or 23.1 lb: 15 mg twice daily | > 10.5 kg or 23.1 lb: 30 mg twice daily | 30 mg twice daily | 12 hr formulation: 60 mg twice daily 24 hr formulation: 180 mg twice daily |
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dose Table for every 6 - 8 hours
| Child's Weight (pounds) | 20-24 | 25-37 | 38-49 | 50-99 | 100+ | lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid 12.5 mg/teaspoon (tsp) | 3/4 tsp = 3.75 mL | 1 tsp = 5 mL | 1 1/2 tsp = 7.5 mL | 2 tsp= 10 mL | -- | tsp |
| Chewable 12.5 mg | -- | 1 tablet | 1 1/2 tablet | 2 tablets | 4 tablets | tablets |
| Tablets 25 mg | -- | 1/2 tablet | 1/2 tablet | 1 tablet | 2 tablets | tablets |
| Capsules 25 mg | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 2 | caps |
When to Use. Treatment of allergic reactions, nasal allergies, hives and itching.
In general, the minimally-sedating antihistamines are preferred over diphenhydramine (Benadryl) since diphenhydramine causes more sedating side effect and both types of medicine are similarly effective.
What these medicines do:
These medicines help with sneezing, itching, and runny nose, and can help hives. They are usually less helpful for a stuffy nose than steroid nasal sprays.
How to take it:
For ongoing symptoms, daily use works best. For predictable exposures, some medicine can be taken before exposure.
When it starts working:
Most start working within about 1 hour, with peak effect in about 2 to 3 hours.
Safety tips:
Use age-appropriate dosing and do not exceed the maximum recommended does unless specifically instructed. Doses may need adjustment in kidney or liver disease.
If a dose is missed:
Take it when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Do not double doses.
Call you doctor urgently or seek emergency care if - trouble breathing, swelling of lips/tongue/face, fainting, or severe worsening symtoms.
Certirizine (Zyrtec)
- 6 mo to 2 years - 2.5 mg once daily
- 2 years to 6 years - 2.5-5 mg once daily or 2.5 mg twice daily
- 6 years to 11 years - 5-10 mg once daily
- 12+ years - 10 mg once daily
For chronic hives or allergies (recurring or > 6 weeks), does may be increased to 2.5 mg twice daily for children 12 mo to 2 years.
Levocetirizone (Xyzal)
- 6 mo to 6 years - 1.25 mg once daily
- 6 years to 11 years - 2.5 mg once daily
- 12+ years - 2.5-5 mg once daily
Loratadine (Claritin)
- 2 years to 6 years - 5 mg once daily
- > 6 years - 10 mg once daily or 5 mg twice daily
Desloratadine (Clarinex)
- 6 mo to 1 year - 1 mg once daily (liquid not available in the US)
- 1 year to 6 years - 1.25 mg once daily (liquid not available in the US)
- 6 years to 11 years - 2.5 mg once daily
- 12+ years - 5 mg once daily
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
- 6 mo to 2 years & <10.5 kg or 23.1 lb: 15 mg twice daily
- 6 mo to 2 years & >10.5 kg or 23.1 lb: 30 mg twice daily
- 2 years to 11 years - 30 mg twice daily
- 12+ years:
- 12 hr formulation: 60 mg twice daily
- 24 hr formulation: 180 mg once daily
Diphenhydramine (Bendadryl) Dosing
Liquid 12.5 mg/teaspoon (tsp)- 20 - 24 lbs: 3/4 tsp = 3.75 mL
- 25 - 37 lbs: 1 tsp = 5 mL
- 38 - 49 lbs: 1 1/2 tsp = 7.5 mL
- 50 - 99 lbs: 2 tsp = 10 mL
- 100+ lbs: --
- 20 - 24 lbs: --
- 25 - 37 lbs: 1 tablet
- 38 - 49 lbs: 1 1/2 tablets
- 50 - 99 lbs: 2 tablets
- 100+ lbs: 4 tablets
- 20 - 24 lbs: --
- 25 - 37 lbs: 1/2 tablet
- 38 - 49 lbs: 1/2 tablet
- 50 - 99 lbs: 1 tablet
- 100+ lbs: 2 tablets
- 20 - 24 lbs: --
- 25 - 37 lbs: --
- 38 - 49 lbs: --
- 50 - 99 lbs: 1
- 100+ lbs: 2
When to Use. Treatment of allergic reactions, nasal allergies, hives and itching.
In general, the minimally-sedating antihistamines are preferred over diphenhydramine (Benadryl) since diphenhydramine causes more sedating side effect and both types of medicine are similarly effective.
What these medicines do:
These medicines help with sneezing, itching, and runny nose, and can help hives. They are usually less helpful for a stuffy nose than steroid nasal sprays.
How to take it:
For ongoing symptoms, daily use works best. For predictable exposures, some medicine can be taken before exposure.
When it starts working:
Most start working within about 1 hour, with peak effect in about 2 to 3 hours.
Safety tips:
Use age-appropriate dosing and do not exceed the maximum recommended does unless specifically instructed. Doses may need adjustment in kidney or liver disease.
If a dose is missed:
Take it when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Do not double doses.
Call you doctor urgently or seek emergency care if - trouble breathing, swelling of lips/tongue/face, fainting, or severe worsening symtoms.
