Hydroxyzine (Atarax) Dosing for a 10-Month-Old Baby Weighing 8.5 kg
For a 10-month-old baby weighing 8.5 kg, the appropriate dose of hydroxyzine syrup (10mg/5mL) is 0.6 mg/kg, which equals approximately 5.1 mg (2.55 mL) per dose. 1
Dosage Calculation
- The FDA-approved dosage for hydroxyzine in children under 6 years is 0.6 mg/kg of body weight when used as a sedative 1
- For this 10-month-old weighing 8.5 kg:
- 0.6 mg/kg × 8.5 kg = 5.1 mg per dose
- Using 10mg/5mL concentration: 5.1 mg ÷ (10mg/5mL) = 2.55 mL per dose 1
Administration Guidelines
- Hydroxyzine can be administered in divided doses throughout the day, typically 2-3 times daily depending on the indication 1
- When initiating treatment, start with the calculated dose and adjust according to the patient's response to therapy 1
- Consider giving the medication with food to improve gastrointestinal tolerability 2
Monitoring and Safety Considerations
- Monitor for sedation, which is the most common adverse effect reported in pediatric patients 3
- The elimination half-life of hydroxyzine in children increases with age, with a mean of approximately 7.1 hours 3
- Hydroxyzine may cause CNS depressant effects including fatigue, sedation, and impaired concentration 4
- In pediatric studies, hydroxyzine at 0.7 mg/kg provided significant symptom relief with minimal sedation compared to higher doses 3
Clinical Efficacy
- Hydroxyzine has been shown to be effective for various indications including:
Important Precautions
- Avoid exceeding the recommended dose as this may increase the risk of adverse effects 2
- Be aware that hydroxyzine may cause more pronounced sedation in younger children 3
- Complete the full course of medication as prescribed, even if symptoms improve before completion 2
- If excessive sedation occurs, consider reducing the dose while maintaining therapeutic effect 3