Recommended Dosage of Bilastine (Blexten) for an 8-Year-Old Child
The recommended dose of bilastine (Blexten) for an 8-year-old child is 10 mg once daily.
Dosing Rationale
Bilastine is a second-generation, non-sedating H1-antihistamine used for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria. The dosing recommendation for children aged 6-11 years is based on pharmacokinetic and safety data that support the pediatric dose of 10 mg once daily 1.
Age-Based Dosing Guidelines:
- Children 6 to <12 years: 10 mg once daily
- Adolescents ≥12 years and adults: 20 mg once daily
Administration Considerations
When administering bilastine to an 8-year-old child, consider the following important points:
- Timing with meals: Bilastine should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after a meal to avoid interference with absorption 2
- Formulation: Use the pediatric formulation specifically designed for children
- Duration: Continue treatment as directed by the healthcare provider based on symptom control
Pharmacokinetic Considerations
Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that the 10 mg dose in children 6-11 years provides similar exposure to the 20 mg adult dose:
- The median pediatric/adult ratios for AUC0-24 and Cmax were 0.93 and 0.91, respectively 1
- This confirms that the 10 mg dose in children achieves appropriate therapeutic blood levels comparable to adults
Safety Profile
The safety profile of bilastine 10 mg in children aged 6-11 years has been well-established:
- Clinical trials showed no significant difference in the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events between bilastine 10 mg and placebo in this age group 1
- Bilastine does not require dosage adjustments for children with renal or hepatic impairment 3
- The medication shows minimal sedative properties and does not exhibit anticholinergic or cardiotoxic effects 3
Common Side Effects
The most commonly reported adverse effect with bilastine is headache 4. Parents should be advised to monitor for:
- Headache
- Mild gastrointestinal symptoms
- Fatigue (though bilastine is considered non-sedating compared to first-generation antihistamines)
Clinical Efficacy
Bilastine 10 mg once daily has demonstrated efficacy in children with:
- Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (improving both nasal and ocular symptoms)
- Urticaria (reducing wheals and itching)
The medication has a rapid onset of action and long duration of effect, making once-daily dosing appropriate 3.
Important Precautions
- No dosage adjustments are needed based on renal or hepatic function 3
- Bilastine has minimal drug-drug interactions as it does not undergo significant metabolism and does not interact with the CYP450 system 3
- Treatment can be continued long-term if needed, as demonstrated in real-world cases of difficult-to-treat urticaria 5
By following these dosing recommendations, bilastine 10 mg once daily provides an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for allergic conditions in 8-year-old children.