Antihistamines for children are applicable.only if the symptoms are pronounced obviously. For example, you notice redness, hives, swelling, itching, burning or inflammation of the skin on a child’s skin. What medicine to choose? Everything is not so simple, because on the shelves of pharmacies a huge variety of antihistamines for children. The choice must be made based on several factors:
- the severity of the disease;
- cause of allergy;
- age of the child.
Today we will analyze the mostpopular drugs of this class. In addition, the following table will be given, which compares several generations of antihistamines.
Kinds of drugs
It is very important to note that modernpharmacology has an incredible amount of drugs in this group. Many of them have different names, prices, and the mechanism of action and composition remains the same. The fact is that there are many brands, and the most popular of them and inflate the prices of their drugs. The price of antiallergic drugs depends on several factors:
- Brand
- Manufacturer country.
- The status of the pharmacy.
Do not think that the list of drugs againstallergies, cited in our article, will be only pills, because this category also includes hormonal ointments, membrane stabilizers for mast cells, and so on.
Before we list antihistaminespreparations for children, it is necessary to get acquainted with their different types. It is worth noting that for effective treatment, physicians resort to complex therapy, combining several anti-allergic drugs.
- These are antihistamines themselves.These drugs are necessary for symptomatic therapy. How do these tools work? The fact is that the active substances of drugs can block or neutralize the allergen. Histamine, which is blocked by these drugs, can cause our usual rash, redness, itching and swelling. In addition to the direct destination, this group of drugs used in diseases of the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
- The second group is corticosteroids.Alternatively, these funds can be called steroid hormones. It is very important to note that any hormonal agents must be taken under the strict supervision of the attending physician. What is the reason? These medicines have a number of side effects that carry a serious danger to the patient’s health. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommendations of a specialist, you should not reduce or increase the course of treatment yourself. Many make the following mistake - with an effective result, they immediately stop taking the drug. It is absolutely impossible to do this, although these funds have a quick therapeutic effect, the course must be completed to the end. This type of medication is prescribed for severe dermatitis, extensive inflammation of the skin and severe itching.
- The third group - sorbents, which are necessary for cleansing the children's body from allergens. Among them are the most popular: "Smekta" and "Enterosgel".
- Далее идут кромоны, которые все чаще и чаще used to treat allergies in children. These funds are gaining popularity due to several properties - safety, poor absorption in the blood, cumulative effect. The last feature is not an error, the drugs in this group begin their action after a couple of weeks of taking the medicine. Cromones are often used as a prophylactic agent. For example, your child is allergic to any plant, then it is worth a couple of weeks before his flowering to start taking medicine. Still, these drugs are taken for bronchial asthma, chronic rhinitis (allergic nature), conjunctivitis. The active substance of these funds is cromoglyceic acid. It is worth paying attention to the fact that these drugs are available in various forms (drops, solutions for inhalation, aerosols, rectal suppositories, gels, and so on).
- Nasal drops with vasoconstrictoreffect. Immediately it is worth mentioning the fact that they are not sold without a prescription by the attending physician, which can be attributed to the rapid addiction and (with prolonged use) negative effects on the nasal mucosa. These drops are used to make breathing easier for rhinitis of an allergic nature.
Generations of antihistamines
В этом разделе мы приведем сравнительную таблицу antihistamine drugs of different generations. Of course, new developments are more successful, because they have a number of useful qualities, but old medicines are not forgotten, they are effectively used in pediatrics.
| Generation | Preparations | pros | Minuses |
| The first | These include the rather popular Tavegil and Suprastin; in addition, there are less popular ones: Dimedrol and Chloropyramine. | These funds have a high efficiency, strong therapeutic effect, rather quickly removed by the patient's body. | К минусам можно отнести возможные побочные effects, the severity of which is quite strong. People using these tools complain of drowsiness and general lethargy, they are inhibited (in physical and mental terms). It is also very important that these medicines are prescribed only by a very short course, since they are toxic and cause rapid addiction. |
| The second | These also include quite popular means: "Cetrin", "Fenistil", "Zodak", "Loratadine" and so on. | The main plus is the absence of sedativeeffect, in addition, the drug must be drunk 1 time per 24 hours. Drugs have a long therapeutic effect. Possible long-term use. | Not obligatory, but possible side effects: dry mucous membranes, nausea, vomiting, pain in the head and dizziness. Be sure to read the composition, pay attention to the components of the drug, so as not to aggravate the situation. |
| Third | In this group, the following drugs: "Erius", "Telfast", "Zyrtec" and others. | Sedation is practically absent, taking the drug does not pose a threat to the heart, blood vessels and the central nervous system. Possible long-term use. | Individual intolerance of the drug or any component that is part of it is possible. The second is toxicity, although extremely low. |
Notes
Now a very brief explanation of the table of comparative characteristics of antihistamines for children of different generations.
First generation antihistamines are used.extremely rarely (due to the "Cons" column in the table). Justified and advisable to use them in acute reactions (example: insect bites). Regarding the price they are cheaper. The most popular are Suprastin and Tavegil (taken three times a day), the most dangerous for children is Dimedrol.
Among the antihistamines of the secondgenerations for children can be distinguished "Loratadin" (the most popular, relatively inexpensive, harmless to children). Please note that the drugs in this group may have a negative effect on the heart.
Metabolites (that is, the new generation of drugs) are the most popular for long-term use in children, which can be explained by the highest efficiency and lowest toxicity.
Antihistamines for children under one year
Now briefly about anti-allergic agents for infants. For a start, it is important to note that babies need the following dosage forms:
- drops;
- syrup.
Pediatricians generally do not recommend admission.first-generation drugs. The amount of medication is calculated individually, based on body weight and age of the baby. Pediatricians recommend proven second-generation drugs to newborns, and they are extremely suspicious of new products.
List of antihistamines for children under one year:
- "Zyrtec" (from six months).
- "Fenistil" (from 1 month).
- Cetirizine (from birth).
- Zodak (from 2 weeks).
- "Suprastin" (from 1 month).
- "Elidel" (from 3 months).
- "Bepanten" (from birth).
Dosage forms
Before answering the question of whatAn antihistamine drug is better for children; let's see the release forms. For adult kids, you can buy pills, for babies - droplets or syrups. In addition, local anti-allergic drugs (eye drops, nose drops, cream, gel, or ointment) are popular.
- Tablets that are designed for children from three years of age (up to this age, not all babies can swallow a pill themselves).
- Baby drops (for eyes, nose and oral).
- Syrups for children (be sure to read the instructions, most of them can not be given to kids under 2 years old).
- Ointments for topical treatment. They are applied to the affected skin.
- Cream. It quickly softens the skin, promotes healing of wounds. The main component can be both chemical and vegetable.
- Injections, which are necessary for emergency care (for example, if the child is threatened with anaphylactic shock).
"Fenistil"
One of the best antihistamines for children is considered to be "Fenistil". Refers to the second generation. Recommended for children from 1 month. The dosage is given in the table.
| Age | Dosage (drops) |
| up to 1 year | 3-10 |
| 1-3 years | 10-15 |
| 3-12 years old | 15-20 |
| over 12 years old | 20-40 |
Appointed 2-3 times a day.
"Suprastin"
Another good antihistamine for children (2 years and under) is Suprastin. Suitable for children from 1 month of age. The dosage is listed in the table.
| Age | Dosage (tablet) |
| up to 1 year | fourth |
| 1-3 years | half |
| 3-12 years old | half |
| over 12 years old | 1 |
The multiplicity of reception - 3 times a day. For young children, it is recommended to crush the tablet into powder.
"Zyrtec"
Good antihistamine for children from 1years - "Zyrtec". Please note that it can be given to babies from 6 months of life (in the form of drops), it is recommended to offer tablets to children from 6 years of age.
| Age | Dosage (drops per day) |
| 6 months - 1 year | 5 |
| 1-6 years | 10 |
| over 6 years old | in this case it is more rational to give one pill |
Drops can be diluted with liquid (milk, mixture, water, and so on).
"Claritin"
For antihistamine drugs for children 3 years old can be attributed tablets "Claritina". This is the most studied antiallergic agent for children. Peanuts can be given from the age of 2 in the form of syrup.
| Weight, kg) | Dosage (mg) | Syrup (teaspoons) | Pills |
| up to 30 | 5 | 1 | half tablet |
| over 30 | 10 | 2 | 1 tablet |
It is applied 1 time per 24 hours (regardless of the meal and time of day).
Telfast
This antihistamine drug for children from 12 years.Quite a popular anti-allergy remedy of the second generation. Most effective - if there is a skin form of an allergic reaction. Take the medicine 1 time per day before meals (amount - 1 tablet).
There are side effects:
- headache;
- drowsiness.
"Erius"
The drug is available in two forms:
- syrup (for children over 1 year old);
- tablets (for children over 12 years old).
The following is a table of syrup dosing.
| Age (years) | Dosage (ml) |
| 1-5 | 2,5 |
| 6-12 | 5 |
The drug is taken once a day.Children over 12 years old are recommended the following intake: 1 tablet once a day. There are some recommendations for admission: drink pills every day at the same time, regardless of the meal.
