BNF for Children 2011-2012

154 3.4.1 Antihistamines BNFC 2011–20123 Respiratory systemACRIVASTINECautions see notes aboveContra-indications see notes above; also hypersensitivityto triprolidineRenal impairment avoid in severe impairmentPregnancy see notes aboveBreast-feeding see notes aboveSide-effects see notes aboveIndication and doseSymptomatic relief of allergy such as hay fever,chronic idiopathic urticaria. By mouthChild 12–18 years 8 mg 3 times dailyAcrivastine (Non-proprietary)Capsules, acrivastine 8 mg, net price 12-cap pack =£2.59, 24-cap pack = £4.49. Counselling, skilled tasksBrands include Benadryl c Allergy ReliefCETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDECautions see notes aboveContra-indications see notes aboveRenal impairment use half normal dose if estimatedglomerular filtration rate 30–50 mL/minute/1.73m 2 ;use half normal dose and reduce dose frequency toalternate days if estimated glomerular filtration rate10–30 mL/minute/1.73m 2 ; avoid if estimated glomerularfiltration rate less than 10 mL/minute/1.73m 2Pregnancy see notes aboveBreast-feeding see notes aboveSide-effects see notes aboveLicensed use not licensed for use in children under 2yearsIndication and doseSymptomatic relief of allergy such as hay fever,chronic idiopathic urticaria, atopic dermatitis. By mouthChild 1–2 years 250 micrograms/kg twice dailyChild 2–6 years 2.5 mg twice dailyChild 6–12 years 5 mg twice dailyChild 12–18 years 10 mg once dailyCetirizine Hydrochloride (Non-proprietary)Tablets, cetirizine hydrochloride 10 mg, net price 30-tab pack = 95p. Counselling, skilled tasksDental prescribing on NHS Cetirizine 10 mg tablets may beprescribedOral solution, cetirizine hydrochloride 5 mg/5 mL,net price 200 mL = £2.03. Counselling, skilled tasksNote Sugar-free versions are available and can be ordered byspecifying ‘sugar-free’ on the prescriptionExcipients may include propylene glycol (see Excipients p. 2)DESLORATADINENote Desloratadine is a metabolite of loratadineCautions see notes aboveContra-indications see notes above; also hypersensitivityto loratadineRenal impairment use with caution in severe impairmentPregnancy see notes aboveBreast-feeding see notes aboveSide-effects see notes above; rarely myalgia; veryrarely hallucinationsIndication and doseSymptomatic relief of allergy such as hay fever,chronic idiopathic urticaria. By mouthChild 1–6 years 1.25 mg once dailyChild 6–12 years 2.5 mg once dailyChild 12–18 years 5 mg once dailyNeoclarityn c (Schering-Plough) ATablets, blue, f/c, desloratadine 5 mg, net price 30-tabpack = £6.77. Counselling, skilled tasksOral solution, desloratadine 2.5 mg/5 mL, net price100 mL (bubblegum-flavour) = £6.77, 150 mL =£10.15. Counselling, skilled tasksExcipients include propylene glycol (see Excipients p. 2)FEXOFENADINE HYDROCHLORIDENote Fexofenadine is a metabolite of terfenadineCautions see notes aboveContra-indications see notes abovePregnancy see notes aboveBreast-feeding see notes aboveSide-effects see notes aboveIndication and doseSymptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis. By mouthChild 6–12 years 30 mg twice dailyChild 12–18 years 120 mg once dailySymptomatic relief of chronic idiopathic urticaria. By mouthChild 12–18 years 180 mg once dailyFexofenadine (Non-proprietary) ATablets, f/c, fexofenadine hydrochloride 120 mg, netprice 30-tab pack = £2.95; 180 mg, 30-tab pack =£3.68. Label: 5, counselling, skilled tasksTelfast c (Sanofi-Aventis) ATablets, f/c, peach, fexofenadine hydrochloride30 mg, net price 60-tab pack = £5.46; 120 mg, 30-tabpack = £5.99; 180 mg, 30-tab pack = £7.58. Label: 5,counselling, skilled tasksLEVOCETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDENote Levocetirizine is an isomer of cetirizineCautions see notes aboveContra-indications see notes aboveRenal impairment estimated glomerular filtrationrate 30–50 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 , reduce dose frequencyto alternate days; estimated glomerular filtrationrate 10–30 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 , reduce dosefrequency to every 3 days; estimated glomerularfiltration rate less than 10 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 , avoidPregnancy see notes aboveBreast-feeding see notes aboveSide-effects see notes above; very rarely weight gainLicensed use tablets not licensed for use in childrenunder 6 years