Desloratadine Dosage for a 23-Month-Old Child
The recommended dose of desloratadine for a 23-month-old child (approximately 2 years of age) is 1.25 mg once daily.
Dosage Recommendations Based on Age
Desloratadine dosing for young children follows age-based recommendations:
- Children 12-23 months: 1.25 mg once daily
- Children 2-5 years: 1.25 mg once daily
- Children 6-11 years: 2.5 mg once daily
- Children ≥12 years and adults: 5 mg once daily
Pharmacokinetic Considerations
The dosage recommendation is based on pharmacokinetic studies that have established appropriate dosing for different age groups:
- Studies have shown that a 1.25 mg dose in children 2-5 years results in desloratadine plasma concentrations similar to those achieved in adults taking a 5 mg dose 1
- For children 12-23 months of age (which includes your 23-month-old patient), population pharmacokinetic analysis indicates that a 1.25 mg dose is required to achieve desloratadine plasma concentrations similar to those in adults 1
Administration
- Desloratadine is available as an oral solution (0.5 mg/mL) for pediatric patients
- The 1.25 mg dose would be equivalent to 2.5 mL of the oral solution
- Administer once daily, with or without food (food does not affect absorption) 1
Safety Profile
Desloratadine has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated in young children:
- Clinical studies demonstrate that desloratadine syrup has a safety profile similar to placebo in children 2-11 years of age 2
- No significant drug-related adverse effects were noted when administered with cytochrome P450 inhibitors 3
- Unlike first-generation antihistamines, desloratadine is non-sedating and does not cross the blood-brain barrier at therapeutic doses 3
Special Considerations
- Renal impairment: If the child has renal impairment, dose adjustment may be necessary. In patients with severe renal impairment, Cmax and AUC values increased by approximately 1.7- and 2.5-fold 1
- Hepatic impairment: Patients with hepatic impairment may have approximately 2.4-fold increase in AUC compared with normal subjects 1
- Poor metabolizers: Some individuals (particularly 17% of Black patients) may be poor metabolizers of desloratadine and experience higher drug exposure 1
Monitoring
- Monitor for common side effects, which are generally mild and include headache, dry mouth, and fatigue
- No routine laboratory monitoring is required for desloratadine therapy in otherwise healthy children
Desloratadine is an effective second-generation antihistamine with minimal sedative effects, making it appropriate for young children requiring treatment for allergic conditions.