What is the recommended dosage of levocetirizine (antihistamine) and montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist) for a 1-year-old?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: October 21, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Recommended Dosage of Levocetirizine and Montelukast for a 1-Year-Old

For a 1-year-old child, the recommended dosage is levocetirizine 0.125 mg/kg twice daily and montelukast 4 mg once daily in the evening.

Levocetirizine Dosing

  • For children aged 1-2 years, levocetirizine should be administered at 0.125 mg/kg twice daily 1
  • This dosage has been shown to provide adequate plasma concentrations with a peak level of approximately 286 ng/ml after one hour 1
  • The elimination half-life in this age group is about 4.1 hours, with good safety profile demonstrated in clinical studies 1
  • Long-term safety of levocetirizine at this dosage has been confirmed in young atopic children in an 18-month study 2
  • The medication demonstrates excellent inhibition of histamine-induced wheal and flare response at this dosage, with median inhibition of 100% for wheal and 99.6% for flare 1

Montelukast Dosing

  • Although specific dosing for 1-year-olds is not explicitly mentioned in the provided guidelines, the closest age-appropriate dosing would be 4 mg once daily in the evening 3
  • Montelukast is typically dosed according to age groups, with 4 mg being the standard pediatric dose for young children 3
  • For older children (6-14 years), a 5 mg chewable tablet is recommended based on pharmacokinetic studies 4

Combination Therapy Considerations

  • The combination of levocetirizine and montelukast has shown superior efficacy compared to montelukast monotherapy in reducing nasal symptoms in children with allergic conditions 5
  • When using these medications together, monitor for any potential side effects, although studies show the combination is generally well-tolerated 5

Safety Considerations

  • Levocetirizine has demonstrated a good safety profile in infants and children with allergic rhinitis or chronic urticaria 6
  • In clinical studies, the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar between levocetirizine and placebo in young children 6
  • Most adverse events are mild to moderate in intensity, with the most common being related to upper respiratory tract infections, transient gastroenteritis symptoms, or exacerbations of allergic diseases 2
  • No significant changes in vital signs, ECG parameters, or laboratory values have been observed with levocetirizine use in young children 6

Administration Tips

  • Levocetirizine is available as oral liquid drops, making it suitable for administration to young children 6
  • Administer the medication at the same time each day to maintain consistent blood levels 1
  • For montelukast, evening administration is preferred based on the medication's pharmacokinetic profile 4

Monitoring

  • Monitor for common side effects including somnolence, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms 6, 2
  • Assess treatment response after 2-4 weeks to determine efficacy 5
  • Regular follow-up is recommended to evaluate ongoing need for therapy and potential dose adjustments as the child grows 2

References

Research

Levocetirizine in 1-2 year old children: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile.

International journal of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 2005

Research

Safety of levocetirizine treatment in young atopic children: An 18-month study.

Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 2007

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.