Zyrtec (Cetirizine) Dosing for a 3-Year-Old
For a 3-year-old child, the recommended dose of cetirizine is 2.5 mg (approximately 2.5-3.5 mL of oral solution) twice daily, given in the morning and evening. 1
Age-Appropriate Dosing
- Children ages 2-5 years require twice-daily dosing due to rapid oral clearance compared to older children and adults 1
- The FDA-approved labeling indicates that children under 6 years of age should "ask a doctor" before use, emphasizing the need for medical supervision in this age group 2
- Cetirizine has established long-term safety in children 12-24 months and older, as demonstrated in clinical trials 1
Formulation and Administration
- Use cetirizine oral drops or syrup for precise dosing in young children, as tablets are not appropriate for this age 1
- The typical volume per dose is 2.5-3.5 mL of oral solution given twice daily 1
- If drowsiness occurs, consider administering the medication in the evening to minimize impact on daytime activities 3, 4
Safety Considerations
- Cetirizine may cause mild sedation in approximately 13.7% of pediatric patients compared to 6.3% with placebo 3, 1, 4
- No cardiac effects such as QT prolongation have been observed in young children receiving cetirizine 1, 5
- The medication is generally well-tolerated with a safety profile comparable to placebo in pediatric populations 3
Important Caveats
- Avoid cetirizine in children with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <10 mL/min), and reduce the dose by 50% in moderate renal impairment 3, 1
- Do not combine with other sedating medications without considering additive CNS effects 3
- Parents should monitor for sedation, which may affect the child's activities and behavior 1, 4