Cetirizine Pediatric Dosing
The recommended pediatric dosing for cetirizine is age-dependent: 10 mg once daily for children 6 years and older, 5 mg once daily for children 2-5 years, and 0.25 mg/kg twice daily for infants 6-23 months. 1, 2, 3
Age-Based Dosing Guidelines
Children 6 years and older
- Dose: 10 mg once daily
- Maximum: Do not exceed 10 mg in 24 hours
- A 5 mg dose may be appropriate for less severe symptoms 1
Children 2-5 years
- Dose: 5 mg once daily
- This dose has been shown to be effective and safe in preschool children 4
Infants 6-23 months
- Dose: 0.25 mg/kg twice daily
- Total daily dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day divided into two doses 3
Infants under 6 months
- Not recommended without physician guidance
- Limited safety data available in this age group 1
Special Considerations
Renal Impairment
- For children with moderate renal impairment: Reduce dose by 50% (5 mg once daily for children ≥6 years) 5
- For severe renal impairment: Avoid use 5
Weight-Based Considerations
- In very young children, cetirizine clearance increases with body weight (0.044 L/h/kg) 6
- Higher mg/kg doses may be needed in younger children compared to older patients 6
Administration Tips
- Can be given with or without food
- For children who cannot swallow tablets, liquid formulations are available
- For optimal symptom control, administer at the same time each day
Efficacy Considerations
- The 10 mg dose has demonstrated superior efficacy compared to lower doses in children 6-12 years 2
- Twice-daily dosing may be necessary in younger children due to more rapid clearance 6
- Cetirizine provides 24-hour symptom relief with once-daily dosing in most children 6 years and older 7
Safety Profile
- Cetirizine has been shown to be safe in short-term studies in infants as young as 6 months 3
- Most common side effects include mild drowsiness and dry mouth
- No significant QT interval prolongation observed in infant studies 3
Always consult with a healthcare provider before administering cetirizine to children under 6 years of age, as directed by FDA labeling 1.