Cetirizine Syrup Dosage for a 1-Year-Old Child
For a 1-year-old child, the recommended dosage of cetirizine syrup is 2.5 mg (½ teaspoon of 5 mg/5 mL syrup) once daily. 1
Dosing Guidelines for Cetirizine in Young Children
- Cetirizine is available as oral drops for precise dosing in infants 6-11 months, making it suitable for administration to young children 1
- For infants aged 6-11 months, safety studies have shown that cetirizine at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg twice daily is well-tolerated 2
- The mean daily dose used in safety studies for infants was approximately 4.5 mg per day, divided into two doses 2
- For a typical 1-year-old child, this translates to approximately 2.5 mg once daily 1
Safety Profile in Young Children
- Cetirizine has been extensively studied in young children and has demonstrated an excellent safety profile 3
- In the largest and longest randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety investigation of any H1-antagonist in children, cetirizine showed no significant adverse effects compared to placebo 3
- No prolongation in the QT interval was observed in cetirizine-treated infants compared to placebo in clinical studies 2
- The most commonly reported side effects in children are similar to placebo and include headache, pharyngitis, and abdominal pain 4
Administration Considerations
- Cetirizine can be administered in the evening if drowsiness occurs 1
- The medication begins working within 20 minutes of administration and effects persist for 24 hours, allowing for once-daily dosing 5
- No tolerance to the antihistamine effect develops even after 1 month of daily treatment 5
Potential Side Effects
- Cetirizine is generally well-tolerated in children with a safety profile comparable to placebo 3
- Mild drowsiness may occur in approximately 13.7% of pediatric patients 1
- Unlike first-generation antihistamines, cetirizine has minimal anticholinergic effects and limited CNS penetration 5
Clinical Efficacy
- Cetirizine is effective for treating allergic conditions including seasonal allergic rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis, and chronic urticaria 5
- It has anti-inflammatory properties in addition to its antihistamine effects, which may provide additional benefits 5
- The medication has been shown to significantly reduce total symptom severity scores compared to placebo in children with allergic conditions 4
Remember to measure the dose accurately using the provided measuring device, and consult with your pediatrician before starting any medication in a young child.