Cetirizine Dosage for a 17 kg Child
For a 17 kg child, the recommended dose of cetirizine is 5 mg (one teaspoon of 5 mg/5 mL liquid formulation) once daily. 1
Dosage Calculation
The appropriate dosing of cetirizine for children is weight-based:
- For children weighing 15-23 kg: 5 mg (one teaspoon) once daily
- At 17 kg, the child falls within this weight range, making 5 mg the appropriate dose
Administration Guidelines
Cetirizine is available as:
- Liquid formulation (5 mg/5 mL)
- Chewable tablets (5 mg)
- Regular tablets (5 mg or 10 mg)
For a 17 kg child, the liquid formulation is often preferred for ease of administration and accurate dosing
Always use the measuring device provided with the medication (oral syringe or dosing cup) rather than household utensils to ensure accurate dosing 1
Cetirizine can be given with or without food
Timing and Duration
- Cetirizine should be administered once daily, preferably at the same time each day
- For acute allergic reactions, treatment typically lasts 3-5 days
- For chronic allergic conditions, longer treatment may be necessary under medical supervision 1
Safety Profile in Children
Cetirizine has a favorable safety profile in children:
- As a second-generation antihistamine, it causes minimal sedation compared to first-generation alternatives 2
- Most common side effects include mild drowsiness, dry mouth, and occasionally irritability 1
- Unlike first-generation antihistamines, cetirizine has minimal anticholinergic side effects 2
- Studies have documented the safety of cetirizine in infants and young children 3
Important Considerations
- Cetirizine has a rapid onset of action (within 20 minutes) and effects persist for 24 hours 2
- For allergic rhinitis in children 6-12 years, the 10 mg dose showed the greatest symptom reduction, but the 5 mg dose is appropriate for a 17 kg child 4
- No dose adjustment is needed for short-term use in children with normal renal function
Cautions
- If the child has renal impairment, dose reduction may be necessary 1
- If symptoms persist or worsen despite appropriate dosing, reevaluation is warranted
- For anaphylaxis, cetirizine should never be used as first-line treatment (epinephrine is first-line) but may be used as adjunctive therapy 1
Monitoring
- Monitor for side effects, particularly drowsiness
- Assess response to treatment within 1-2 days
- For long-term use, regular reassessment of symptoms and continued need for treatment is recommended 1